Juniper Junction Keeps the Torch Burning Under New Ownership at Smith Rock
August 19, 2022
A must-stop for huckleberry ice cream since its inception in 1967, Juniper Junction at Smith Rock has created fond memories for many generations. And now thanks to its current owners, David, and Pam Potter, the tradition continues.
Original Juniper Junction building in 1967 at Smith Rock State Park
D’Ann Nash (right) and Cindy Chaney (left) ride over for ice cream in the 1980s.
Collin Day (left) and David Potter (right) celebrate over ice cream the passing of the torch for Juniper Junction
Collin Day, a fixture at Juniper Junction since the 1980s when his mother passed, befriended young David with work when he was just 16, and getting into climbing. Eventually, Collin and David become partners in the business and David ran his climbing guide service, Smith Rock Climbing Guides, out of Rockhard. Over time, David moved his business elsewhere but remained in touch. When Collin’s health started to deteriorate over the past two years, David stepped in to return the goodwill Collin had shown him since his youth. When Collin knew he had little time left of his life, arrangements were made to turn over Rockhard to David and his wife.
Pam and David Potter are the current owners of Rockhard, AKA Juniper Junction at Smith Rock State Park.
While “Rockhard” is the official name of the store, (Collin was a big “Rockhound”) the Potters are looking at returning to the original name on the building itself, Juniper Junction, coined by the Day family in the mid-1960s. While no other concessions are allowed in Smith Rock State Park outside of what the park itself sells in its Welcome Center, Juniper Junction has been “grandfathered-in” per an agreement reached with the state to exist in perpetuity. While we’re not sure of all of the details of the eminent domain exchange of property the Days owned, including the current Bivouac Campground, Juniper Junction will be there as long as it is cared for.
Many fond memories have been created at Juniper Junction over the years. D’Ann Nash was stopping by for ice cream and then shopping for a t-shirt with her granddaughter, Archer Hubbard when she overheard our interview. She remembers coming in for ice cream as a little girl, and then later on horseback with her girlfriends in the 1980s.
D’Ann Nash orders ice cream in 2022 from the window with her granddaughter, Archer Hubbard
D’Ann Nash enjoying ice cream in the 1980s with her girlfriends
If you’re a fan of movie trivia, the building next to Juniper Junction was originally built in 1975 for the set of “Kate’s Saloon” in the film Rooster Cogburn, starring John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn. It was actually part of a whole village that was used in the movie. The saloon building was kept and then moved next to Juniper Junction, but it is not able to be used as a storefront per the state agreement, just for storage.
Poster board for Rooster Cogburn filmed in part at Smith Rock State Park
Scene from Rooster Cogburn of Kate's Saloon, now the building next to Juniper Junction at Smith Rock State Park
Going into the shop itself can feel like stepping into a time portal, with an adding machine that while not used still works, along with an antique cash register that was used by Collin for cash-only purchases as recently as 2016. David is in the process of changing out their buggy landline and phone. In the meantime, the mix of products is evolving, with more emphasis on tourism vs rock climbing supplies, leaving that business to Redpoint Climbers Supply in Terrebonne. The rocks that Collin loved remain an attraction, however, right alongside the farm fresh honey made by Pam Potter. Something for everyone. Best of luck David and Pam!
Adding machine at Juniper Junction in Smith Rock State Park (not used)
Antique cash register at Juniper Junction in Smith Rock State Park (used up until 2016)
Pam Potter holds up some of her raw honey next to some red jasper and a large thunder egg at Juniper Junction
A must-stop for huckleberry ice cream since its inception in 1967, Juniper Junction at Smith Rock State Park has created fond memories for many generations. And now thanks to its current owners, David, and Pam Potter, the tradition continues.