Brownlee, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brownlee, Oregon
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 Brownlee, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Brownlee, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker |
| Elevation | 2,264 ft (690 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1133435 |
Brownlee is a small, quiet place in Baker County, Oregon, in the United States. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it's managed by the larger county.
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History of Brownlee
Brownlee has an interesting history tied to travel and transportation. It was once an important stop for people moving between states.
The Brownlee Ferry
The community is named after a man named John Brownlee. He started a special boat service called a ferry. This ferry helped people cross the Snake River. The Snake River forms a natural border between Idaho and Oregon. John Brownlee's ferry made it easier for people to travel. It quickly became known as Brownlee's Ferry.
The Railroad and Post Office
Later, a railroad was built on the Oregon side of the river. A train station was placed right where the ferry crossing was. This station was also named Brownlee. Having a train station here made the area even more important.
A post office was opened in Brownlee in 1910. It helped people send and receive mail. The post office operated off and on for many years. It finally closed down in 1965.
Changes to the Railroad
The railroad tracks that went through Brownlee were very important for a while. These tracks connected the towns of Homestead and Robinette. However, the tracks were eventually removed. The Oregon Short Line Railroad, which owned the tracks, took them up in 1934. This change meant that trains no longer passed through Brownlee.
Brownlee Today
Today, Brownlee remains an unincorporated community. It is a quiet reminder of its past as a busy travel hub. It shows how transportation methods have changed over time.
