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Baker City, OR Links
Chamber of Commerce
Visit Baker
Guyer, Lindley, Bailey, & Martin, CPA'S, PC
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Baker City is a community steeped with tradition and history. Granted its city charter in 1870,
Baker City was once considered to be the premier social center along the Oregon Trail and once
boasted the largest population of any city in the state of Oregon. During an era when gold mining
was the norm, Baker City was born as a support center for the surrounding gold mining towns. With
such towns as Auburn, Sumpter, and Sparta close by, Baker City soon became the focal point of
activity. These days, Baker City has quieted down a bit. Gone are the bawdy houses and dancing
girls, the wild saloons and even wilder people. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the
community's commitment to its past and future. Today, Baker City is rich with the flavor of the
1890s with its nationally recognized historic shopping district, museums and attractions.
Baker City, Oregon History:
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, known as the Panhandle, 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.
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 on Flagstaff Hill just northeast of Baker
City. The Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, Hells Canyon Recreation Area, Sumpter Gold Dredge Park,
Baker City Restored Historic District, and Anthony Lakes Ski Resort, along with fishing and
hunting, also draw visitors to the area.
Baker City Businesses Wanted
Have a computer or internet related business in Baker City Oregon?
We would like to talk to you about becoming a reseller of our services.
Contact Us to request more information or a copy of
our resellers agreement.
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