About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveler, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
This cache also qualifies for the Disappearing RR Blues bonus cache. This series highlights the railways of NW Oregon
About Southern Pacific Silverton Depot
Welcome to little Silverton, Oregon. The Oregonian Railway, a narrow gauge line, came to Silverton in 1880. Later the line was absorbed by the larger Oregon & California Railroad. In 1890 it became part of the even larger Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1891 the SP converted the line to standard gauge. The line went from Woodburn to Silverton, south to West Stayton, and eventually, Springfield. In 1976 the line south of West Stayton was abandoned. in 1993 the SP leased the lien to the Willamette Valley Railway. In recent times not many trains go much south of MAngel, let alone Silverton.
The depot is a Southern Pacific standard #23 design. The SP depot was built around 1906. The SP no longer needed it by 1969 and sold it for $1 in 1970 to Bob Martin. He moved the depot to a railroad spur by a warehouse. In 1971 it was purchased by Joyce & David Victor. In 1982 they offered it to the Silverton Country Historical Society. In July 1982, it was moved to its present location. However, the depot you see here is not entirely original. The old freight portion of the building is. The passenger area is a replica of the original. The depot is now home to a visitors center and a museum. The cache is behind the museum along a lovely river trail.