Cecil, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cecil, Oregon
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 Cecil, Oregon
Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Morrow |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| Area code(s) | 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1167698 |
Cecil is a small, unincorporated community in Morrow County, Oregon, in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it's managed by the county or state.
Cecil is located about 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Ione. You can find it along Oregon Route 74.
History of Cecil
Cecil has an interesting past, especially because of its location.
The Oregon Trail
Long ago, the famous Oregon Trail passed right through Cecil. This trail was a path used by pioneers traveling west. It crossed Willow Creek here. Because of this, Cecil became an important stop for stagecoaches. Stagecoaches were like old-time buses that carried people and mail.
Railroad and Post Office
Cecil was also once a railroad station. It was part of the Heppner Branch of the Union Pacific railroad.
The community had a post office too. The first one, called "Cecils," opened in 1867. It was located about a mile south of the railroad station. This first post office closed in 1870. A new "Cecil" post office opened later, in 1902. It served the community until 1974.
The area was named after the Cecil family. They were pioneers who settled there in 1862. The family owned a lot of land and even donated the spot for the post office.
Changes Over Time
In 1940, only 15 people lived in Cecil. By 1993, the community had a store and a gas station. However, the store is no longer open today.
The railroad line that ran through Cecil was eventually closed. The Union Pacific Railroad decided to stop using the Heppner Branch in 1993. The very last train ran on June 30, 1994. By August 1994, all parts of the railway, including bridges and tracks, were removed.
