Peter French’s Round Barn

Emma and I headed out this morning to do some exploring.  I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go, so we just got in the car and started driving. 
We headed down to the Narrows first, and watched a little pelican ballet session.  Nothing new and exciting there, so I turned the car around and headed for the Round Barn Visitor’s Center about 35 miles away.
I think you can click on these to make them larger and readable.  Suffice it to say that Peter French, was an early cattle king in this area of Oregon, and he built an unusual barn.
It’s round.  He used it to break and train horses in the 1880’s.  He secured vast land holdings in the area that included what is now Malheur NWR.  He was quite a legendary figure of the old west, and at times used unscrupulous means to procure more land.
Thanks to the Jenkins family, who later owned this property and donated it to the Oregon Historical Society, this unique barn has been preserved.  One of the Jenkins’ descendants built and runs the eclectic Visitor’s Center.  What a character he is!  He is there seven days a week regaling visitors with his opinionated views on the history of the area.  :)  It is a welcome rest stop out in the middle of the high desert of Oregon.  You can even bring your dog inside with you as you peruse his wide variety of items for sale, and the family museum.  It’s a definite thumbs up if you happen to be in this area.
This is the terrain that those early cattlemen dealt with way back when.  It must have been a hard, but rewarding life.  As Emma and I headed back home, I was glad that I had made this little side trip to Peter French’s Round Barn.
                                                                      THE END!! 

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy