A Rustic Retreat Along the Ochoco Highway
By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
Long before speeding through Eastern Oregon became as simple as setting cruise control, travelers on the winding road between Prineville and Mitchell needed a place to stop, stretch their legs, and fuel up — both their cars and themselves. One of the most beloved of those roadside respites was Marks Creek Lodge.
Nestled about 25 miles east of Prineville, the site first became relevant when the original highway — known as the Old Ochoco Highway (State Highway 28) — followed the meandering path of Ochoco Creek. This mostly graveled route twisted its way to Mitchell by way of Ahalt Creek and West Branch. In those early days, travelers could count on a couple of modest way stations, like Bert Tolliday’s service station and store, and Andrew Ontko’s Log Cabin Store.
That all changed in 1939, when the route was realigned. The new highway, later designated as Highway 26, veered off from Ochoco Creek and instead followed Marks Creek up to the Ochoco Divide before descending to Bridge Creek and into Mitchell. The fresh stretch of road offered faster travel — but for a while, no amenities. No gas stations. No snacks. No warm beds. Just a long, scenic drive.
Recognizing the opportunity, Millard and Berniece Elkins stepped in. In 1950, they purchased land from Bert Tolliday near the new highway and built a small but welcoming store and service station. At first, the stop was simply called “Elkins,” but as its reputation grew and due to its location near Marks Creek, it came to be known as Marks Creek Lodge.
Millard, born in Prineville in 1895, had deep roots in the area. He worked on his father’s ranches and at local stores before marrying Berniece Shipp — also a Prineville native and daughter of prominent builder John Shipp — in 1922. Together, the Elkins created a gathering point for weary travelers winding their way through the Ochoco Mountains.
The lodge was rustic and charming, a true roadside haven. In addition to the store and two classic gas pumps, they added rental cabins and later, a few trailer spaces for those who preferred to stay a bit longer. For years, Marks Creek Lodge was a favored stop between Prineville and Mitchell — a place to rest, refuel, and enjoy a touch of old-fashioned hospitality.
Eventually, as Millard and Berniece’s health began to decline, they sold the lodge. It continued operating under new ownership for several years until closing in the 1970s.
But the story doesn’t end there.
In 1998, the property was sold to Mount Bachelor Academy, a boarding school for troubled youth. The site was transformed with several new buildings, though the school ultimately closed in 2009 due to legal issues. After a few quiet years, the site found new life again — this time as a Christian Conference Center.
Marks Creek Lodge may no longer serve road-weary travelers the way it once did, but its legacy lives on in the layered history of the land — a reminder of when the journey was just as important as the destination.