Clarno, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clarno, Oregon
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Clarno Grange in 2011
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 Clarno, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Clarno, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Wasco |
| Named for | Andrew Clarno |
| Elevation | 1,306 ft (398 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
97001
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1136154 |
Clarno is a small, unincorporated community in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. It's located right next to Oregon Route 218 and the John Day River. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
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History of Clarno
Clarno got its name from Andrew Clarno, who was one of the first people to settle in this area.
The Early Post Office
A post office opened in Clarno in 1894. Back then, it was part of Gilliam County, Oregon. Later, Wheeler County, Oregon was created from parts of Gilliam County. Because of this, the post office sometimes ended up in Wheeler County (on the east side of the river) or in Wasco County (on the west side). It depended on where the postmaster lived! The Clarno post office eventually closed in 1949.
The Steamboat John Day Queen
Andrew Clarno's son, Charles Clarno, built a small steamboat called The John Day Queen. This boat was about 40 feet long and used steam from a wood-fired boiler to move. It was used as a ferry to carry people across the river and also for fun trips.
The John Day Queen traveled about 10 miles upstream (against the river's flow) and 4 miles downstream (with the river's flow) from Clarno.
The Steamboat's Last Trip
In 1897, a bridge was built at Clarno, so the steamboat wasn't needed as a ferry anymore. Charles Clarno decided to try and float his boat all the way down the John Day River to the Columbia River, and then down the Columbia to Portland, Oregon. This was a very long journey, about 110 miles by river to the Columbia!
However, the trip didn't go as planned. When The John Day Queen reached Clarno Rapids, a tricky part of the river, it broke free from the ropes Charles and his friends were using to guide it. The boat crashed into the rocks downstream and was destroyed. Later, a part of the boat called the spark arrestor was saved. It was given to the city museum in Fossil, Oregon, where you can still see it today.
Outdoor Fun at Clarno
Clarno is known for its exciting whitewater rapids, especially for people who enjoy rafting or kayaking.
Clarno Rapids: A Challenge for Boaters
The Clarno Rapids are long and complex. They are rated as "Class 3" on the International Scale of River Difficulty, which means they are considered "difficult." If the water levels are very high, they can even be rated as "Class 4," which is "very difficult." This makes them a thrilling challenge for experienced whitewater enthusiasts.
Images for kids
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Oregon Route 218 bridge over the John Day River at Clarno
