Coweemen River History in Danger

[tom becker]

Hi my name is Tom and a newbe here.I DO NEED TO SAY THAT I am very concerned about the future and the History of the Coweemen River Vally.
In 1960 a old logger Friend showed me a Indian Barrieal Ground and not to fare away was some rock drawings.
My concern is the land grabers that are buying up all the land and bringing in machines to flatten out this hill and put a road there, not knowing what they are destorying. The last time I was up on the Coweemen, the land grabers were with in a 1/4 of a mile from the barriel mounds.
This needs to stop! Tom

[Steve]

What area of the Coweeman River is this located? It must be a well kept secret because my grandmother grew up just below the CCC camp and I don't remember her every saying anything about it.

If indeed there is a burial ground, this would most likely make it protected grounds. Is this a documented historical site? If not, it needs to be made known to somebody in the Cowlitz County government that take measures to protect the site. Since you have knowledge of the location, you may have to start the process.

Steve

[tom becker]

I have tried to contact the Cowlist trib many times ,but no reply,Yes this is a very well kept secret or these things would have been gone many years ago.
There are two of us that know this secret,When some one starts out by asking were these place are, red flags go up, however I well say these places are between I-5 and east to the 1600 road.
Did your Gradma ever tell you about some of the old logging camps that still have steam powered donkeys with spools of 2 inch hall back cables.
Dont forget about the old rail road that ran up the Coweemen up passed the 1600 road,, TOM

[Steve]

Did you ever contact the county or any archeologist about this? They might be able to make things happen.

I had to look on a map to see where the 1600 road is. From what can tell, its just past the end of the pavement off the Rose Valley Road and through the gate. Is this correct?

Is the steam donkey very accessible? (considering many areas are gated off now). What is left of the railroad? Or is it just the railbed?

My grandmother talked about the logging camps but never mentioned the the railroad or the steam donkey to me, but that doesn't mean anything. Her uncle used to make supply runs for the logging and the CCC camps in the 30's. If I asked her, she probably would know. If not, here sister would (both in their mid-80's). My great grand-parents had quite a history up there. They had the last farm on the Rose Valley Road and owned the property from the 20's through the 70's. I'll have to ask her the next time I'm visiting in Kelso.

Steve

[Jerry]

Is that private forest land? Weyerhaeuser?

[Steve]

The 1600 road is on Weyerhaeuser lands (unless they sold it). There is a gate at the end of the county road that was open the last time I was there.

Steve

[tom becker]

The Donkey and the railroad are on Weyerhauser land, however they open the gates at 4 AM and this gives you time to get to the spot ,take your pictures and get out before the gates are closed.
The Donkey is up buy Coweemen lake buy a 100 acre set aside old growth stand. TOM

[Steve]

So they allow people past the gate as long as you make it out before the gate closes?

I assume this is only during weekdays?

Steve

[tom becker]

I have never been asked to leave,, commen sence rules// if the fire danger is high stay out!!!! Go down to the old fish latter and do some gold panning .Yes weekdays only, avoid the weekends buy all means, the reason is// The Dope Gangs from Longview and Kelso are in the woods Drinking and trying out there auto weapons and burning down what ever will burn.
To bad its like this, but its like this everywhere it seems.I miss the days when people had respect for other people and their property. TOM