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 Baker
City, Oregon
Lured by the promise of fertile soil and rich natural
resources, immigrants left friends, family and the comforts
of civilization and endured severe hardships of the
2000-mile Oregon Trail to reach the "Promised Land."
As the largest
peacetime immigration in recorded history (1840 - 1860),
the trek remains an important chapter of American heritage.
Nearly 1,700 miles and six months from the trailhead,
the grassy meadows, forested mountains and abundant
wildlife of the Baker Valley gave weary travelers a
reason to hope for a new life.
In 1861, Henry
Griffin found gold near the Powder River, and the rush
was on. Boomtowns like Sumpter, Bourne, and Auburn sprouted
overnight. Within 20 years Baker City developed into
the commerce and cultural hub of the region. By 1900,
elegant hotels, an opera house, trolleys, electricity
and telephone service had transformed Baker City into
the largest town between Salt Lake City and Portland.
Access to the vast
natural resources, made possible by construction of the
narrow-gauge Sumpter Valley Railroad in 1896 and the Transatlantic
Railway in 1897, helped the mining and budding timber
industry flourish through the 1930s. Agriculture, primarily
cattle ranching, also became increasingly important during
this period. Over the next 50 years, the key industries
of mining, timber and agriculture have remained largely
unchanged as foundations of the economy.
Recently, the community has collectively taken steps to
protect and capitalize on the area's rich heritage and
develop the tourism industry around this resource. In
1992, public and private leaders joined forces to establish
the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
to act as the focal point for development of the visitor
industry. Results of the project have been a resounding
success, attracting more than one million recorded visitors
since 1993 and generating state, regional and national
interest in Baker County beyond expectations.
Since that time, significant private and public investment
in historic restoration has occurred countywide. In downtown
Baker City, building owners and local development leaders
have received state and national recognition for their
efforts and financial investments to enhance the grandeur
of the "crown jewel" of the Inland Empire.
Population:
Click here
to see population numbers from the latest census for Baker
City and other Oregon cities.
Climate and Temperature:
Elevation: 3,471 feet above sea level
Baker County's weather surprises many newcomers in a positive
way. Though considered a high mountain desert area, the
region has a mild climate with four distinct seasons.
Summer and fall are typically dry and warm, with most
precipitation falling in the form of snow during the winter
months and rain showers in the spring.
Lowest Monthly Average: 16 degrees F
Highest Monthly Average: 85 degrees F
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: January
Driest Month: June-September
Wettest Month: January
Precipitation:
Rain: 10.63"
Snow: 26.2"
Housing:
A steady increase in Baker County's residential building
permits reflects a strong demand for housing and general
improvements in the national, state, and regional economies.
For instance, in the twenty years prior to 1994, only
one subdivision had been developed in Baker City.
Today, over a
dozen developments are underway which will offer several
hundred new lots for residential growth. Logically,
construction and development activity has increased
dramatically in the last four years. Although average
housing prices have shown strong growth since 1990,
Baker County still offers some of the Pacific Northwest's
most affordable housing - and in one of the most attractive
places in Oregon to live.
Top Industries:
Agriculture
Forest Products
Tourism and Recreation
Mining and Manufacturing
Services
Major Employers:
Baker School District 5-J
St. Elizabeth Hospital and Health Care
Center
Marvin Wood Products
U.S. Forest Service
Ash Grove Cement
Baker County
New Directions Northwest
Sunridge Inn, Inc.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative
Safeway
Powder River Correctional Facility
S & R Industries
City of Baker City
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