Austin, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Austin, Oregon
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 Austin, Oregon
Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Grant County |
| Founded | late 1800s |
Austin is a "ghost town" in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government. You can find Austin north of Oregon Route 7, close to the Middle Fork John Day River. It's located deep inside the beautiful Malheur National Forest.
History of Austin
How Austin Got Its Name
Austin was named after Minot and Linda Austin. They were some of the first people to settle in this area. The Austins ran a small store and a hotel, which they called Austin House. Before them, a Mr. Newton had started Austin House as a hotel and a stop for stagecoaches. Austin even had its own post office, which opened in 1888 and closed in 1950.
Austin's Busy Days
In 1905, train tracks from the Sumpter Valley Railway reached Austin. The Oregon Lumber Company built this railway. Because of the train, Austin became a very important place for cutting down trees and sending them away. It was a busy logging community.
Austin was once the main center for the whole area. It was also a place where nearby mining towns, like Susanville and Galena, could get their supplies. Sawmills in Austin made wood for places like Greenhorn and the Bonanza Mine, which were higher up in the Blue Mountains.
At its busiest time, Austin had about 500 people living there. Some people even think the population might have been as high as 5,000! The town had three sawmills, a strong jail, and offices for doctors, lawyers, and real estate agents.
The Decline of Austin
Later, a new town called Bates was built about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west. Bates was a "company town," meaning it was built and owned by the Oregon Lumber Company. As the mining towns nearby slowly disappeared, Austin also started to become less important.
By 1997, a newer business, also called Austin House, was the only business left in the area. This new Austin House was built in 1959. It's located at Austin Junction, where Oregon Route 7 meets U.S. Route 26. This business is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) from where the original Austin town used to be. It serves as a tavern, grocery store, restaurant, and gas station all in one. As of 2002, fewer than 35 people lived within 5 miles (8.0 km) of Austin.
