Ballston, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ballston
|
|
|---|---|
Grain elevator in Ballston
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Polk County |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founded by | Isaac Ball |
| Elevation | 184 ft (56 m) |
| ZIP code |
97378
|
| Area codes | 503 and 971 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1162825 |
Ballston is a small, quiet place in Polk County, Oregon, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. You can find Ballston southeast of Sheridan and southwest of Amity. Today, many people think of Ballston as a ghost town because it's much smaller than it used to be.
Contents
The History of Ballston
Ballston was started in 1878 by a pioneer named Isaac Ball. He claimed the land under the Donation Land Claim Act. Isaac and his family came all the way from England. They traveled to Oregon in 1848 using the famous Oregon Trail.
How Ballston Got Its Name
When Isaac Ball first founded the town, he called it "Ballsville." It even had a post office with the same name. But in 1880, the name of the post office was changed to Ballston. The post office stayed open for many years. It became a rural station of Sheridan in 1953. Finally, it closed completely in 1969.
Ballston and the Railroad
Ballston was an important stop on an old train line. This line was first called the Dayton, Sheridan and Grande Ronde Railroad (DS&GR). Isaac Ball was one of the first people to support building this railroad. It was originally a narrow gauge railway, which means the tracks were closer together than regular tracks.
Changes in Railroad Ownership
Over time, the railroad changed owners. It became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad. As of 2009, Ballston is still a station. It is now part of the Portland and Western Railroad line.
Community Life in Ballston
In 1915, Ballston was a busy little community. It had about 104 people living there. The town also had a public school where children learned. There were two churches for people to worship. The community also had three fraternal lodges, which were like social clubs.
The Old School Building
The original Ballston School building was built in 1855. It is no longer used as a school today. However, it is believed to be the oldest school building still standing in all of Polk County. Some even think it might be the oldest in the entire state of Oregon! You can find this historic building in Ballston County Park.
The Ballston Community Club
The Ballston Community Club meets in a newer building. This building used to be a schoolhouse too. It was moved to Ballston from Airlie, another town along the old railroad line. For many years, the Community Club hosted a popular annual turkey dinner. It was a big event for the community.
