Copper, Oregon facts for kids
Copper, Oregon refers to two different places in the state of Oregon that are now mostly gone. Both were once small towns connected to mining, but they became "ghost towns" over time. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, often because the main reason for the town's existence, like a mine, closed down.
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What Are the Copper, Oregon Ghost Towns?
Oregon has two notable places named Copper. One is in Jackson County and is now underwater. The other is in Wallowa County, located near the border with Idaho.
Copper, Jackson County: The Town Under the Water
Copper, Jackson County, was once a small mining community in southwestern Oregon. It was located in the Applegate Valley. People lived there to work in nearby copper mines.
Why Did Copper, Jackson County Disappear?
The town of Copper in Jackson County no longer exists above ground. It was flooded when the Applegate Dam was built. This dam was constructed to help control floods and store water for the area. When the dam was finished in 1980, the waters of the Applegate River rose, covering the old townsite. Now, the remains of Copper, Oregon, are hidden beneath the Applegate Lake.
Copper, Wallowa County: A Remote Mining Past
The other Copper, Oregon, is found in Wallowa County, in the northeastern part of the state. This area is very rugged and wild, close to the Hells Canyon area. Like its namesake in Jackson County, this Copper was also a mining town.
What Happened to Copper, Wallowa County?
Copper, Wallowa County, was also a mining settlement, but it was very remote. It was located near the Snake River on the Oregon-Idaho border. Over time, the mining operations slowed down, and people moved away. Today, this ghost town is part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. This area is protected for its natural beauty and history. Visitors can sometimes find old foundations or remnants of buildings, showing where the town once stood.
Why Are Ghost Towns Important?
Ghost towns like the two Coppers in Oregon are important parts of history. They remind us of how people lived and worked in the past, especially during times when mining was a major industry. They also show how landscapes can change, sometimes due to natural events and sometimes because of human projects like dams. Studying ghost towns helps us understand the history and development of different regions.
