Back in the 1980's we lived across the McKenzie River from Belknap Hot Springs. This cable car was the only way we had to reach our piece of heaven! The newer bridge at Belknap was built after we moved on. My former husband Randy Smith started building this house before I met him in the 70's. First he had to build the cable car to start the house. His great grandfather bought Belknap Hot Springs and 160 acres in 1907. You can see my son Trevor, then about 4 or 5 playing in the hot water if you enlarge it. I had started making pine needle baskets when I was pregnant with him. He is now 27. My mom, is taking a soak on a visit from Los Angeles. When I moved in, there was no plumbing, plenty of hot water from the hot springs to keep us clean, and warm in the winter. We had both our kids there,( by that time Randy has installed indoor plumbing). We generated power with a Pelton wheel from the cold spring up the hill. |