Many incredible events have occurred throughout the Beaver State’s long and rich history. While everyone has heard about historic moments in some of our larger cities, Oregon’s tiniest towns often have the biggest stories to tell. From bizarre exploding whales to devastating natural disasters, here are 7 huge things that happened right here in our small towns.
- Heppner
Wikimedia/public domain
Wikimedia/National Weather Service On June 14, 1903, a devastating flash flood struck the town of Heppner. In total, 217 people died, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Oregon history and the deadliest flash flood in America.
- Prescott
Facebook/Prescott Beach
Flickr/Peter Woodman You may have heard about this tiny town in connection to the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. The controversial plant drew national attention and plenty of protestors from the time it began operations in 1976. It was ultimately demolished in 2006.
- Antelope
Flickr/oregon ducatisti
Wikimedia/TedQuackenbush This tiny eastern Oregon town (pop. 48) was once the focal point of a conflict involving a controversial commune and local governments. In 1984, the Rajneeshee cult won the vote to rename Antelope to “Rajneesh.” The name change didn’t stick though, and Antelope’s original name was restored in 1985.
- Sheridan
Flickr/Jasperdo
Wikimedia/public domain Some of the most famous photographs ever taken of a UFO were shot on an Oregon farm, just outside of Sheridan. They have become known as the “McMinnville UFO photos”, which is the larger town nearby.
- Sumpter
Flickr/Baker County Tourism
Flickr/Baker County Tourism The historic town of Sumpter was once a bustling gold mining town. Things took a turn for the worse when a fire started in the Capitol Hotel in 1917. Much of the town was burnt to the ground and 250 people were left homeless. The fire, along with the declining gold industry, caused many miners to leave. Today, you can visit this charming town for a glimpse into the past.
- Florence
Flickr/Tony Webster
Wikimedia In what might be one of the most bizarre moments in Oregon history, an 8-ton whale carcass was blown up with dynamite on a Florence beach. Chunks of blubber wound up all over surrounding bystanders and even damaged a nearby car.
- Canyon City
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Wikimedia/public domain In 1963, the residents of Canyon City woke up to an interesting surprise. An entire building was standing conspicuously in the middle of town. As it turned out, a small group of unidentified people had stolen a jailhouse from the nearby ghost town of Greenhorn and brought it to Canyon City for unknown reasons.
What else would you add to this list? Let us know what big events happened in our small towns!
Wikimedia/public domain
Wikimedia/National Weather Service
On June 14, 1903, a devastating flash flood struck the town of Heppner. In total, 217 people died, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Oregon history and the deadliest flash flood in America.
Facebook/Prescott Beach
Flickr/Peter Woodman
You may have heard about this tiny town in connection to the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. The controversial plant drew national attention and plenty of protestors from the time it began operations in 1976. It was ultimately demolished in 2006.
Flickr/oregon ducatisti
Wikimedia/TedQuackenbush
This tiny eastern Oregon town (pop. 48) was once the focal point of a conflict involving a controversial commune and local governments. In 1984, the Rajneeshee cult won the vote to rename Antelope to “Rajneesh.” The name change didn’t stick though, and Antelope’s original name was restored in 1985.
Flickr/Jasperdo
Some of the most famous photographs ever taken of a UFO were shot on an Oregon farm, just outside of Sheridan. They have become known as the “McMinnville UFO photos”, which is the larger town nearby.
Flickr/Baker County Tourism
The historic town of Sumpter was once a bustling gold mining town. Things took a turn for the worse when a fire started in the Capitol Hotel in 1917. Much of the town was burnt to the ground and 250 people were left homeless. The fire, along with the declining gold industry, caused many miners to leave. Today, you can visit this charming town for a glimpse into the past.
Flickr/Tony Webster
Wikimedia
In what might be one of the most bizarre moments in Oregon history, an 8-ton whale carcass was blown up with dynamite on a Florence beach. Chunks of blubber wound up all over surrounding bystanders and even damaged a nearby car.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
In 1963, the residents of Canyon City woke up to an interesting surprise. An entire building was standing conspicuously in the middle of town. As it turned out, a small group of unidentified people had stolen a jailhouse from the nearby ghost town of Greenhorn and brought it to Canyon City for unknown reasons.
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