 Baker
County was created from part of Wasco County
in 1862. It was named in honor of Edward Baker, one of Oregon's first
senators and a colonel in the Union Army. Baker had been killed at
the Battle of Balls Bluff in 1861. In 1864 Union County was created
from the northern portion of the county. In 1887 Malheur County was
created from the southern portion of the county. The boundaries were
adjusted for the last time in 1901 when the area between the Powder
River and the Wallowa Mountains was returned to Baker County. The
county consists of 3,089 square miles and is bounded to the north
by Union and Wallowa Counties, to the west by Grant County, to the
south by Malheur County, and to the east by the State of Idaho.
The
original county seat was established at Auburn. Originally a booming
mining town with 5,000 inhabitants, the population dwindled and
there was agitation to move the county seat. In 1868 an election
confirmed Baker City as the new county seat. The county has had
three courthouses, all occupying the same site. The first courthouse
was a two-story wooden structure built in 1869. It was replaced
by a brick building in 1885. The current courthouse is a three-story
building completed in 1909. It is constructed of a gray volcanic
stone quarried a few miles south of town.
Original
county officers included a county judge, sheriff, clerk, treasurer,
assessor, and school superintendent. Current officers also include
a surveyor, and district attorney.
Gold
mining was the original impetus for settlement in the area. At one
time the county was the largest gold producer in the Northwest.
Agriculture, stock raising, logging and tourism have become the
primary economic pursuits. The Oregon Trail Interpretative Center
has drawn large numbers of visitors since it opened in 1993. The
Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, Hells Canyon Recreation Area, Anthony
Lakes Ski Resort, along with fishing and hunting also draw visitors
to the area. The county's population has fluctuated over time due
in part to the boom and bust nature of mining. The population in
2000 of 16,741 represented a 9.3% increase from 1990 but was down
from a high of 17,295 in 1960.
|
|
|
|
 The
changing winds of municipal image making have blown
through Baker City since it was originally named in
1866. In a nod to modernity, the city changed its name
to Baker in 1911. But renewed interest in pioneer history
led to the restoration of the Baker City name in 1989.
This action supported a strategy to harken back to the
glory days of the city when it was known as the "Denver
of Oregon."
Ironically,
the strategy to capitalize on pioneer history actually
benefited from the benign neglect shown to many of the
city's buildings over the years. Baker City's economy
sputtered for much of the period after World War II.
During these years, other cities were spurred on by
a modernization movement to replace many of their historic
buildings. But Baker City's best architecture survived,
often in a state of slow decay. A number of these structures,
such as the Geiser Grand Hotel, have now been restored
and take center stage in the city's celebration of its
rich past.
|
|
|
|
 |
Bar
M Ranch -
in Adams
The ultimate destination for a fun, relaxing and
memorable western vacation. The peace, quiet,
and beauty of the ranch makes it an ideal location
for weddings, corporate retreats and group events.
|
 |
Tapadera
Inn
105
SE Court Avenue
Pendleton, Oregon
541-276- 3231
877-722-8277
|
|
|
|
