LOWRY*, Post Office, October, 1902 – 1906
Perhaps the two most picturesque and remote post offices in Owyhee County were Lowry and Fairylawn, both established by W.D. Winter. Winter came to the North Fork area in 1896. He married the widow of Jerome Lowry in 1897. A lone grave near the entrance to the Lowry Ranch is that of Mr. Lowry. When he died in 1896, he had requested that he be buried by the gate, near where an old pet roan horse had died and was buried.
Winter carried the mail across the North Fork of the Owyhee River in 1902 to establish a mail route and was granted the post office of Lowry, October 17, 1902. The post office was patronized by all those who lived in the “back country” who came by wagon or horseback from the Junipers after their mail. Folds were welcome to spend the night if need be, and visit with their genial host and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Winter.
W.D. Winter had both cattle and horses, the horse business being the most profitable at the time. The horses could “winter out” and required less feed than cattle. Most ranchers had large herds of horses, raising them for the U.S Cavalry, and as horses were the only means of transportation in the early years, there was always a demand for them locally.
For a period of approximately two and one-half years, the post office of Lowry was changed over first to Ollie McCullough as postmaster, then Earl McCullough, December 22, 1905 – May 21, 1906. W.D. Winter was re-appointed postmaster and had the post office until it was discontinued to Fairylawn, May 1912.
Tex and Agnes Payne became the owners of The Lowry. They built a new modern ranch house, near the Winter’s old log house and post office. The sweeping view from their windows encompass acres of lush meadowland and the deep slash of the North Fork Canyon. The Payne’s’ son Ted and family [Dorothy and children Rena, Polly and Jack] now live at The Lowry.
*Sagebrush Post Offices – A History of the Owyhee Country by Mildretta Adams – published 1986
Cache Journey Notes:
From the North Fork Owyhee River south on Juniper Mountain Road it is approximately 6 miles to Grave Creek Reservoir. Take a right on the east end of Grave Creek Reservoir, there is a road that skirts the south side of the reservoir. Please do not drive on the dam. From the reservoir to the gate at N42° 32.994' W116° 57.676' is approximately 1 mile; from the gate to the cache is approximately .3 miles with approximately 130’ in elevation climb. The first section to the base of the cliffs is steep and not recommended for small children. Please do not travel beyond the gate, as this is private property.
Recommend a 4x4 or ATV from Grave Creek Reservoir to the gate parking area. If the ground is wet or snow covered, it is recommended that you hike into the cache from the reservoir, as the south side of the reservoir has no bottom when it is saturated.
The cache is in a regular sized ammo can. The cache is located on public lands managed by BLM.
Enjoy your journey.