National Historic Landmark

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Dorris, Siskiyou County, California
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
66000238

About this property

The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States on the border between California and Oregon. It is operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 16, 1965. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, was the first waterfowl refuge in the United States. It is located in the Klamath Basin near Klamath Falls, Oregon. It has a total area of 50,912.68 acres (206.04 km2), of which 44,294.55 acres (179.25 km2) are in California and 6,618.13 acres (26.78 km2) are in Oregon. The refuge includes shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that are intensively managed to provide foraging and breeding habitat for waterfowl and other animals. The market hunting of migratory birds in the late 19th century created the need for preservation and creation of a wildlife refuge. Refuge objectives include the protection of habitat for flora and fauna, including migrating waterfowl, and preserving the biodiversity of the Klamath Basin. It works to integrate wetlands and sustainable agriculture and promote integrated pest management. The refuge provides wildlife-related public services, including education, hunting, and viewing and photography opportunities. Avian species on the refuge include the bald eagle, golden eagle, American white pelican, white-faced ibis, snow goose, Ross's goose, greater white-fronted goose, Canada goose, peregrine falcon, northern pintail, mallard, gadwall, canvasback, western grebe, eared grebe, black tern, and tricolored blackbird. Conservation and management activities include the maintenance of a local water infrastructure and the monitoring of the interaction between agriculture and habitat. Issues in focus include the loss of wetland habitat, the degradation of water quality, drought, and water rights.

Location

Dorris, Siskiyou County, California
41.95287, -121.73053

Categories

CONSERVATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

This page lists Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Captain Jack's Stronghold
Civil War
14.7 mi
Hospital Rock Army Camp Site
Listed
15.7 mi
Thomas-Wright Battle Site
Listed
16.4 mi
Hotel Macdoel
Industrial
16.5 mi
Schonchin Butte Fire Lookout
Industrial
18.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Modoc War — First Battle of the Stronghold (January 17, 1873)
1873Indian Wars
8.2 mi
Modoc War — Second Battle of the Stronghold (April 15–17, 1873)
1873Indian Wars
8.2 mi
Modoc War — Dry Lake Battle
1873Indian Wars
9.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge listed on the National Register?

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?

The period of significance for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Siskiyou County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Siskiyou County.

Explore SiskiyouCounty ›

More historic places in California

Browse all historic places in California.

View Californiahistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

California history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Californiahistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report