Mabel - Oregon Ghost Town

MABEL

NAME: Mabel
COUNTY: Lane
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 4
CLIMATE: Mild winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: Near Eugene.
REMAINS: Many buildings.

Mabel had its beginning in 1870 when a small group of settlers hacked out of the wilderness a clearing to build a sawmill three miles above the entrance of Shotgun Creek into the Mohawk River. The site was heavily timbered with virgin stands of Douglas fir, an ideal location for a sawmill. By 1878, a community had developed around the mill large enough to warrant a post office. One was established with an Alfred Drury as its first postmaster. Drury had a daughter named Mabel and so was the little town. Mabel had its best years during World War I, a period never again equaled. The post office was closed in 1957 ending 78 years of service. A name to remember is the Reverend Herman H. Ritter and his wife, Mary Elizabeth. He was the minister of the Church of the Brethren at Mabel for nearly 50 years. Massive ruins of sawmill power plants that operated in and around Mabel still stand. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith

Mabel had its beginning in 1870 when a small group of settlers hacked out of the wilderness a clearing to build a sawmill three miles above the entrance of Shotgun Creek into the Mohawk River. The site was heavily timbered with virgin stands of Douglas fir, an ideal location for a sawmill. By 1878, a community had developed around the mill large enough to warrant a post office. One was established with an Alfred Drury as its first postmaster. Drury had a daughter named Mabel and so was the little town. Mabel had its best years during World War I, a period never again equaled. The post office was closed in 1957 ending 78 years of service. A name to remember is the Reverend Herman H. Ritter and his wife, Mary Elizabeth. He was the minister of the Church of the Brethren at Mabel for nearly 50 years. Massive ruins of sawmill power plants that operated in and around Mabel still stand. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith

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