 Native Americans have inhabited the Table Rocks area for at least 15 @,@ 000 years prior to European @-@ American settlement . Starting in the mid @-@ 19th century during a gold rush , the settlers forced the Takelma tribe away from the Table Rocks and into reservations . The surrounding area was quickly developed . The Table Rock post office was established in 1872 , an airstrip was built atop Lower Table Rock in 1948 , and a very high frequency omni @-@ directional range ( VOR ) aviation tower was constructed on Upper Table Rock in the 1960s . The Table Rocks were not protected until the 1970s . 
