Camp Elkanah Information

Camp Elkanah has its roots in the Mt Emily Lumber Company which was established back in 1924. August J. Stange, a lumberman from Wisconsin, began and built the Mt. Emily Lumber Co. in La Grande on the present site of the Boise Cascade Mill. The first log was cut in the mill on November 30, 1925. As the Mt. Emily Lumber Company began logging, they would set up camps for their employees. The first camp was set up at 5 Points Creek (near Hilgard) in 1925. The camp was later moved up river in 1927 near Starkey and was named the Grande Ronde River Camp. One year later (1928) the company camp was moved to McCoy Creek and then in 1930 it was moved to the present site on Meadow Creek. According to Mr. Bruce Moorehead (the Mt. Emily Logging superintendent), the main consideration in locating the Company Camp at the present site was the availability of water. There are many natural springs in the area with a good flow of water year round. When the Mt. Emily Lumber Company began putting the railroad through this area, there was only a small trail up the creek and no roads. There was an abundance of brush, small trees and old timber that was cleared to make way for the company camp. By September of 1930 there were about 150 people who were living at this camp. This camp served as Headquarters Camp for the Mt. Emily Lumber Company's base of operations. It was the final camp ever built by this company and it continued to operate until the Company was sold in 1955. Most of the buildings including the houses were owned by the Mt. Emily Lumber Company, however a few families were able to own their own homes. The houses started out as whitewashed box cars and the families fixed them up. Additions were added as the families grew and even yards and gardens were planted. Cellars or caves were dug into the sides of the hillside to serve as low tech refrigerators. (Some of these caves can still be seen. ) Electricity was generated at the camp and the only thing lacking was bathroom facilities. Each house had a privy but showers ...