CROOK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER opened in 2012. The Center is an adjoining building and is home to the museum’s research library, community room and three large new exhibits.

IN THE PONDEROSA PINE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, you will experience the feel of the surrounding ponderosa pine forests as you learn about early timber uses. Wind your way through the exhibit to read about and see how the local timber business grew to have five major mills in the Prineville area, and how it fueled a booming economy.

THE LES SCHWAB STORY From his humble beginnings on a hard scrabble ranch in Crook County, to his days working for the Bend Bulletin and Oregon Journal, you will learn how Les developed and put into practice his unique and successful business philosophy after buying a small rundown tire business in Prineville.

LIVING TRADITIONS traces the culture and people that have shared the history of Crook County. Learn about everything from the Northern Paiutes’ early and continuing use of their traditional lands for hunting and gathering, to the ranchers and farmers who pioneered the agricultural use of the fertile river valleys, and the later irrigated lands of Central Oregon.

SHEEP AND CATTLE WARS

In the year 1898 the Cascade Forest Reserve was created and during the first two years of its existence this Reserve was closed to grazing. In this exhibit visitor learn about sheep owners who had formerly used the Cascade Mountains for summer range were forced to look elsewhere for summer range for their flocks. This resulted in a great influx of outside sheep to the Blue Mountains which eventually erupted into violent conflicts and confrontations between cattlemen and sheep herds.