Merlin

White water rafting is big in Merlin now, but when timber was king in the 1950's Merlin cut its share of the lumber. As a lad of about 10 I remember once when my father took a log scaling job in Merlin to tide us over a lengthy labor strike in Myrtle Creek. In the days before interstate highways the trip took two hours each way. I never really knew where Merlin was in those days so was pleased on a recent trip (2008) to see the old mill's skeleton still standing. I wish I knew the origin of the name for "Jump Off Joe" creek that winds through the area. I understand the location originally used that name. The later designation apparently came from the Merlin falcons (or pigeon hawks) seen in the area.

• Area Map
• Aerial Photo
• Weather