Siskiyou Smokejumper Museum

Jumper clears the trees and lands in the jump spot

Smokejumper exits DC-3 jump plane

Moon Tree Run 2016

Join us again for the annual Moon Tree Run on Saturday June 4th 2016!
Both the 5K and 10K races start at 9am and registration starts at 8am. Please come before 9am to get your bib. We will be using a timing system again this year.

Click on "Read More" to complete your race registration and reserve your spot in this year's run!

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Murry Taylor's New Book Benefits the Museum!

When you buy Murry Taylor's Book "More or Less Crazy" 20% of the proceeds go to the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum!

Visit:
http://bookstobelievein.com/siskiyou.php

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Join Us for the 2015 Moon Tree Run and Firefighter Fair!

This year's Moon Tree Run and Firefighter Fair will be one to remember, so don't forget to reserve your spot in the 5K or 10K race on Saturday June 6th! Entrance to the family-friendly Firefighter Fair is absolutely free!

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Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum

By Tommy Albert (CJ 64)

Gary Cote and Harold Hartman (CJ 65) securing the shock tower that was originally used for parachute training

Who would have ever thought a bunch of rag-tag jumpers could pull this off? But after 10 years of blood, sweat, and laughs, the base has never looked as good. It is now restored to its early 1950’s appearance with all the buildings shingled. The interiors have been refurbished and work continues on the displays.

This will be a never ending project but we have come a long, long way. Though we have a limited budget without the means to formally advertise, word of mouth and the signs posted on Highway 199 keep our visitor numbers increasing each year.

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Son of a Beech

Siskiyou Smokejumper Museum's "new" Twin Beech waiting in Bandon for a tow to Cave Junction.

The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base was home to seven different types of jump planes during the near four decades of its existence. The Twin Beech was there the longest, from 1954 until 1974, 20 years. Though it stumbled a few times, overall, it was a steady and reliable workhorse for jump bases throughout the west.

The newly established Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum is fast becoming a popular tourist stop and the visitors thoroughly enjoy learning about smokejumping and firefighting. The loft, parachutes, jump suits, tools, stories of jumping and firefighting are fine; but, how can you tell the full story of smokejumping without an airplane?

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Announcing the Apollo 14 Moon Tree Run and Firefighter's Fair at the Siskiyou Smokejumer Base Museum, Illinois Valley Airport, Saturday, June 7, 2014

The annual fundraiser breakfast for Volunteer Firefighters will take place in collaboration with 22 local nonprofits and agencies providing a day of youth activities, aircraft displays, remote control airplane demonstrations, museum tours, and more. Admission to the event is free. Illinois Valley Airport is located four miles south of Cave Junction. Parking will be at Rough & Ready Mill. Bring your families to enjoy breakfast, free ice cream from Schwans, participate in activities, and learn about opportunities for youth to get an airplane ride, participate in local youth sport programs, learn to fly a remote control airplane, and go through the firefighter obstacle course.

Smokejumper Project, Region Six, 1943

Heintzelmann-Sohler

Jack Heintzelman was in charge of the Cave Junction Smokejumpers from the beginning of the base in 1943 through 1945. Originally a Protection Assistant at the Redwood Ranger Station, he had no connection to parachuting. After three years as the head of the Smokejumper project, he returned to forestry duties. The following are excerpts from his 1943 end-of-the-season report to his superior, Forest Supervisor Hershel Obye, Siskiyou National Forest.

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Smokejumpers at CJ 1943-1945

Crew Quarters; Miller, Yoder, Holyman, Kauffman; 1945

In May of 1943, the Mennonite Church opened CPS camp #103 in Missoula, Montana, at Seeley Lake. In that first year, 60 men were trained both in parachute jumping and fire fighting. Seven men were then sent to Cave Junction to serve under the leadership of Jack Heintzelman. In 1944, the number of smokejumpers doubled to 120 and 12 of them went to Cave Junction. Then in the last year, 1945, the training moved to Nine Mile Camp at Huson, Montana. The trainers were Earl Cooley, Wag Dodge, Jim Waite, and others. Fourteen of us agreed to go to Cave Junction. It was the final year of the CPS camps, and the base in Missoula closed in April of 1946.

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2013 The Moon Tree Run

The Moon Tree Run, presented by Healthy U, at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum.

The Moon Tree Run, presented by Healthy U, at the Sisikiyou Smokejumper Base Museum, Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

Participate in a fundraiser commemerating the Apollo missions of the 19160s and 70s and Stuart Roose, pilot of the Apollo 13 command module. Roosa was one of the many smokejumpers who worked at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base. Roosa carried seeds to the moon and back to earth which were then planted at various locations throughout the world. One of these seeds was planted at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base.

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Hanging Out with History in the Ready Room

Historical photo of smokejumper jumpsuits at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum.

As we restore the Gobi, one hope is to provide recognition to those who made the Gobi so meaningful. One show of recognition will be in the Loft to display the names of Gobi Jumpers above the Suit-Up rack in the Ready Room.

Any Jumper who was part of the CJ crew during their career is invited to participate in this fund raising campaign that will permanently inscribe your name at the base. For a donation of $100.00, your name plate will be placed above the Suit-Up rack in the Ready Room. You, a family member, or friend may also make a donation for a deceased CJ jumper in their recognition.