The Kalapuya Indians, earliest inhabitants of Marys Peak, lived on the bounty of the forests and streams.

As homesteaders moved into the area in the early 1900s, they found that short growing seasons and steep terrain made farming difficult. A few settlers raised Angora goats and beef cattle, transporting the animals to market on mail wagons.

John Garman, local photographer, described his glass plate negative: "I took (this picture) 31 October 1935 from 1-2 miles east of Philomath...At that time there were no logging scars to spoil (Marys Peak's) appearance. It showed up plainly because I took it by infrared." ©BCHM 1981-003.0001P.