In continuing our exploration
      upstream we were thrilled to find another waterfall hidden in
      the dense growth of the narrow canyon. Our foray into the extremely
      rugged mountainous cleft revealed a total of seven beautiful
      waterfalls in successive and distinct drops. During our struggle
      up the boulder-strewn course of the fast-falling stream, we saw
      no signs of previous visitors except in the upper reaches near
      old, half-hidden mine shafts, and logging shows extending down
      from the ridges above the drainage.

      
Other than being surprised
      and delighted with our discovery, a family-like series of waterfalls,
      we thought little of our find. Later, in researching the upper
      Henline Creek area more thoroughly, I was impressed with the
      total absence of any record of the seven UPPER falls. Sensing
      the possibility of it being officially overlooked, I began an
      exhaustive inquiry.

      
First, I discovered the precipitous
      gorge is overlapping lands of the Bureau of Land Management and
      the United States Forest Service. Perhaps this explains why I
      failed to uncover anyone from these agencies, (or anyone else)
      personally aware of the existence of the seven waterfalls. The
      office of the Marion County Surveyor had no knowledge of them
      according to the chief officer of that agency.

      
Feeling certain at this point
      (including interviews and discussions with old-timers of the
      region) that the falls had not been recorded or mapped, I contacted
      Merle Pugh of the United States Forest Service and arranged to
      guide him and others to the site. I felt they could determine
      what should be done to preserve the extremely fragile ecology
      of the area and yet allow the unusual site to be enjoyed by others.

      
Shortly after this tour I had
      a meeting with officials of the Willamette National Forest with

      
whom I discussed the intriguing
      find. At this time I suggested naming the falls and indicated
      Iwas prepared to present an application to the Oregon Geographic
      Names Board as it is now titled. I asked for any objections they
      might have in naming the seven cataracts for my seven children
      and heard no objections from them.

      
My next step was to measure
      and photograph each of the seven waterfalls, titling them in
      the process. The order of names corresponded with my children's
      age and the height of each falls. The highest was dubbed Jerry
      Falls for the man with me on the first tour. The smallest cataract,
      which is not actually a falls (but rather a long chute) was tagged
      Deanna's Slide for my three year old. Later I had a sign painted
      denoting FAMILY FALLS with the name and height of each
      in order of their Occurrence along the creek. Then we carried
      a ladder to the ridge above the well-traveled canyon of Henline
      Falls and tacked the sign on a tree.

      
A short time later a news story
      appeared on the front page of the Salem Capital Journal telling
      of our discovery. I hoped the mention of the seven falls would
      stir some challenge to my contention of discovery but it did
      not. A few days later we escorted a cameraman to the rugged retreat
      and later a local television station featured the waterfalls
      on a news program.

      
At this time I made formal
      application to the Oregon Geographic Names Board to name the
      series, JERRY, DAN, STEVE, DAVID, RON, MARK, and JACKIE FALLS.

      
The first reading of my request
      to the board was noted and tabled by the members until a committee
      researched my request. At that time I explained the lack of records
      or knowledge of the falls and mentioned that I felt a discovery
      had been made.
Last Page - Next Page
Copyright 1973 Maynard C. Drawson
Reformated and reprinted on the web in 2003 with permission from Maynard Drawson