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The
oldest ranch in the area is the historic Whitehorse Ranch. Whitehorse
is a large ranch with about three or four buckaroos and seven or eight farm
hands in the busy time of the year.
The
ranchers work with the Bureau of Land Management to keep the public lands open
for many, varied uses. The cows grazing here are an important part of
a careful plan of range management. Water is very important to all people
here. Average rainfall is less than ten inches a year, classifying this land
as a high desert range.
Fields was established in 1881 by Charles
Fields. Fields consists of a store, cafe, gas station, camp ground, hotel,
post office, and a few houses. There is also an historic cemetery about 100
yards from the store. Tom and Sandra Downs, who now operate the store, gas
station and motel in Fields, are happy to welcome
the many visitors each year.
The
Fields school was established about 1900. It began with one room and one
teacher. In later years a new wing was added to the school; now there are two
rooms, and two teachers for the kindergarten through eighth grade students.
The
Borax industry operated in the Fields area many years ago. Hot springs in and
near Borax Lake contain about 80 parts per million borate. When the spring
water flows onto the surrounding desert and evaporates, it leaves a thick
white surface of alkali. From about 1892-1902 the Rose Valley Borax Company
hired Chinese workers to collect the salt crust into small piles during the
summer. The salts were dissolved in large vats (about 6,000 to 8,000 gallons)
by boiling them with water and acid. Sagebrush was used to fire the dissolving
tanks. When it was cooled, crystallized borax was collected, sacked, and
shipped by mule team to the Central Pacific Railroad in Winnemucca. It was
about 130 miles away from Borax Works. About 400 ton of borax was shipped each
year. Now you can still see the rusted tanks where they processed borax near
Borax Lake.
The
Fields area also has many natural attractions. We have various hot springs
spread throughout the area. The mountains of the Fields region are the Pueblo,
Steens, and the Trout Creek Mountain ranges. There are various kinds of wild
life such as elk, Mule Deer, Prong Horn, Big Horn Sheep, pheasant, doves,
geese, and ducks. Rainbow Trout may be found in the many lakes and streams.
For hunting, fishing and site seeing, Fields is one of the best.
As
you explore our region please leave the gates as you found them. Remember some
land is privately owned, so check first.
Points of
interest
Bog Hot Springs, White Horse Hot Springs, Alvord Hot Springs,
all of these hot springs are open to the public. You can also view the
East Rim of the Steens Mountain. The Fields Café is also another main
attraction, known far and wide for their famous hamburgers and milkshakes. The
fishing, hunting, and site seeing is larger-than-life in Fields, and the
community invites you to come and see for yourself.
Crops
and soil
Crops
grown in the Fields area consist of meadow hay and alfalfa. The ground
is sufficient for some vegetable and flower gardening. The growing
season is from mid May to mid September.
The soil in Fields varies. In the highest parts you
will find the soil has little or no alkali present. Down on
the flats the soil has an extremely large amount of alkali
present that leaves a thick layer of borax on the surface.
Climate
The climate in the winter is mild, seldom below zero degree
temperatures. The summer is nice and not overbearingly hot.
The temperatures range between the high 70's and 80's. In late
August there may be a day or two that the temperature reaches the 90's.
Mileage from
Burns
The total highway miles from Burns to Fields is 115 miles.
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