Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, historic fish hatchery in Oregon, USA
The Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery is a fish-raising facility along the McKenzie River in Lane County, Oregon, originally built around 1907 to raise trout and salmon. The site now spans about 46 acres with eight main buildings, including the original superintendent's house, plus smaller structures, tanks, and ponds where fish were once bred and cared for.
The facility was established in 1907 when Oregon acquired land along the McKenzie River and built a breeding station. The original main building was replaced with a modern structure in 1928, while the superintendent's house was preserved; operations closed in 1953 after a newer facility with better equipment opened downstream.
The site takes its name from the nearby McKenzie River, which has long been central to the local community and economy. Visitors can see how the hatchery connected people to the river and fish populations that sustained the area for decades.
The site sits near State Highway 126 and is easy to reach with free parking and accessible pathways for all visitors. The park offers picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water, and a walk around the grounds takes about one to two hours depending on how thoroughly you explore the buildings and exhibits.
At its peak in 1951, the facility collected over 1.5 million fish eggs for breeding, a remarkable achievement for the time. Today the grounds are cared for by the Friends of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, a local group that keeps the history alive and offers school and community programs.
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