![]() ![]() In her wonderful book of poetry and narrative non-fiction, Window to Westfir (2006, Many Names Press), former resident Margarite Tuchardt writes: “There were deer and the soft rustle of bird wing in maple leaves. Rich with clean water, healthy soil and vibrant forest life, its valleys and riverbanks were home to native tribes long before white people settled in the early 20th century. The place known today as Westfir has sustained human life for hundreds of years. And now, thanks in large part to new owners of the Westfir Lodge and Mountain Market, the former sawmill town offers an excellent base camp to explore the quintessential Oregon landscape right outside its doors. Often lost in the shadow cast by the legendary mountain biking reputation of its larger sister-city Oakridge, Westfir has a charm all its own. I recently spent a few days in Westfir and learned about its history and future through the eyes of a young business owner who wants to make it a destination for cycling and other outdoor pursuits. ![]() ![]() The 60-miles of bliss known as Aufderheide Scenic Byway begins in Westfir.Īround 300 people call Westfir home today - far less than half the number employed by the Hines Lumber Company at its peak in the 1950s. But it wasn’t always such a sleepy place. The loudest thing is the roar of water over rocks in the nearby river. Today Westfir is as quiet as it was 100 years ago. Passing riders contemplate a stop for refreshments on the patio of Westfir Lodge. ![]()
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