Bend, OR

Lucious green, crystal springs, and a ghost town to. This would be Marcola. A tiny community full of life yet complete with the ghost town of Wendling, 119 miles west of Bend, Oregon, Marcola itself is a strikingly beautiful area, reminiscent of the old days, old houses and long standing ranches and 2^nd growth Douglas Fir trees. To get to Marcola, take Hwy 20W from Bend and follow it to Hwy 126, this will take you past Sweethome, home of Wiley Creek, mentioned in a separate post, straight into Marcola. Wendling itself is just Northeast of Marcola. When you drive through Marcola you will come to the street sign that says Wendling Rd on your right. Follow this road for 3 ½ miles and you will come to the covered bridge. Just find anywhere to park and get out and wander.

The imminent rain of the valley region has transformed this almost untouched and tucked away community into a brilliant green paradise and beautiful, yet short, exploratory drive. As you drive into Marcola you will notice that there is a gas station, a grocery store and a small restaurant/lounge called the Tomahawk, which not only serves several meals a day but is the “hot location” for the nightlife as well.

Marcoala is home to Shotgun creek which is the home of many off road enthusiasts considering there is an OHV park, numerous clear springs, steep valleys and abundant wildlife. Close by is also Shotgun Park which has full restroom facilities, a phone and drinking water. There is no fee for the use of any of this area and the drive is very worth it, even if you aren’t an OHV enthusiast.

The resident ghost town of Wendling used to be a boom town with a full operational mill, water powered plant, and several cottages for mill workers and their families in the 50’s. The covered bridge was built shortly after WW2. The post office still stands with George Wendling’s name on it as well as the bridge. And for those with morbid curiosity, there is also a hidden graveyard of those who passed away while this town was alive.

As for the graveyard, I have yet to find it and being stubborn I have chosen not to ask the older local residents. I think this must add to the mystery that I feel when I am in this area. The graveyard is rumored to be in the hills nearby the wooden flume that still remains as part of the main mill. When one is parked at the bridge they will notice a paved road that is gated from vehicles…it is up this rd that the wooden flume is supposed to be. I would recommend bicycling as this is a long rd.

This ghost town speaks out at me, maybe because I love the moss covered ruins, maybe because of the air of mystery that I feel when I am here and the fact that I know there must be much more than what I have seen so far.

The entire town was named after Wendling. The remains of the water powered mill still stand and is unique to wander through. There are also still some of the old home foundations that burnt down and anyone with a metal detector has every chance of finding a piece of history.

Have you visited Marcola? Would you like to add your thoughts, experiences or stories? We’d love to hear them! Just comment below! If you have a story or a Thing To Do that you would like to add to this site, please email us today.