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Auburn, Oregon facts for kids

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Auburn, Oregon
Auburn, Oregon is located in Oregon
Auburn, Oregon
Auburn, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Auburn, Oregon is located in the United States
Auburn, Oregon
Auburn, Oregon
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Oregon
County Baker
Elevation
4,213 ft (1,284 m)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
Area codes 458 and 541
GNIS feature ID 1136017

Auburn was once a busy community in Baker County, Oregon. Today, it is known as a ghost town. It is located off Oregon Route 7, southwest of Baker City. You can find it near the Blue Mountains.

The Rise and Fall of Auburn

Auburn was not always a bustling place. For a long time, it had only one or two buildings. But everything changed in 1861. That year, people discovered gold nearby! This discovery quickly turned Auburn into a lively boomtown.

Gold Rush Excitement

The news of gold brought many people to Auburn. By September 1862, the small settlement had grown into a real town. It boasted over 20 stores and about 1,000 homes. These businesses and homes supported the many miners working in the area.

At its peak, Auburn was the largest community in all of Eastern Oregon. It was a very important place for the region.

A County Seat's Short Reign

Because Auburn was growing so fast, the Oregon Legislative Assembly made it the first county seat for Baker County. This meant Auburn was the main center for government and official business in the county.

However, Auburn's boom did not last forever. By the 1870s, the gold began to run out. Many people moved away to find new opportunities. By 1873, Auburn's population had dropped to only 200 people.

The Post Office Closes

The town's post office was very important. It was the first one in northeast Oregon. It opened on November 1, 1862, with William F. McCrary as its first postmaster. But as the town emptied, the post office eventually closed in 1903. This was a sign that Auburn was no longer a busy place.

Today, Auburn is mostly deserted. It stands as a reminder of Oregon's exciting gold rush history.

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