Window on the Clearwater
Traditional news Today's technology
triviahead.JPG - 10433 Bytes

Bobbi Flowers, Orofino, and Michael Bushfield, Eureka, MT are the winners!

Bernard DeVoto is the answer for Clearwater History Trivia #625, a special feature to celebrate the history and heritage of Clearwater Country. Watch each day for another clue.

When you think you know the answer, drop us an email at: info@windowontheclearwater.com. Please, let us know where you are from, if it is out of the area.

Join in the discovery!

Tuesday: Author

Wednesday: Historian

Thursday: Loved a particular place

Friday: Ashes scattered there

Saturday: Conservationist

Monday: Crooked Creek

Tuesday: Cedar trees

Bernard DeVoto was an author and conservationist. He followed the route taken by Lewis and Clark while writing his book The Lewis and Clark Journals. He camped in the grove that now bears his name. His favorite spot was under a massive cedar tree where could look at the clear flowing Crooked Creek and it as the water babbled over the rocks.

In 1955, he suddenly died. He had wanted his ashes scattered over one of the National Forests. This task was given to Chet Olsen, Regioinal Forester of Region Four and an old friend of DeVoto. James Vessey of Region One, knowing of DeVoto's love of the grove suggested that area. In the spring of 1956, Olsen, riding in a plane hehired from Johnson's Flying Service, Missoula, MT, carried out the last request of DeVoto.

At the time the area was called 'Big Cedars' and was a campground, with the construction U.S. Highway 12, the area was reduced to provide space for the road. It was no longer large enough for a campground and it was renamed in memory of DeVoto. There is a sign in the parking area that reads, "This majestic grove of western cedar is dedicated to the memory of Bernard DeVoto, conservationist, author and historian. He often camped here while studying the journals of Lewis and Clark. At his request, his ashes are scattered over the area." Then on a large boulder in the grove there is a bronze plaque which reads, "In memory of Bernard DeVoto 1897-1955, conservationist and historian of the West." The area was dedicated in 1961 with a small group of family and friends present, as the family requested.

Trivia Archives

Sponsored by:

Want accurate, daily news for Orofino and Clearwater County?

Subscribe to:

Window on the Clearwater
Traditional news Today's technology

It's a bargain at $3 per month, $18 for 6 months or $30 per year. (Idaho residents, please add 6% sales tax)

Subscribing is easy:

  • Drop us a check with your email address and we will sign you up. (See the mailing address at left)
  • Pay online: Click this Registration link and follow the Pay Pal instructions.

Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Orofino 476 0733
Fax: 208-476-4140
Email