Encina, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Encina, Oregon
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 Encina, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Encina, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker |
| Elevation | 3,963 ft (1,208 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1116654 |
Encina is a small, unincorporated community. It is located in Baker County, Oregon, United States. Encina is about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Baker City. You can find it near exit 313 of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 84.
Contents
The Name Encina: A Spanish Connection
The name Encina comes from the Spanish word for "evergreen oak". When the Union Pacific Railroad was building its mainline here, the railroad siding was first called "Oak Cut." This name was a bit long and hard to use.
How Encina Got Its Name
A railroad agent named J. C. Mayo decided to change the name. He had lived in Mexico and knew Spanish. So, he renamed the siding "Encina," which means "evergreen oak." This new name was much simpler.
Johnson Spring and Local History
Encina is also home to Johnson Spring. This spring was named after the first owner of what is now Alder Grove Ranch. The ranch sits on Alder Creek and has water rights that date back to 1883. The Johnson family members are buried in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. This cemetery is located on Dry Creek Cutoff, between Alder Creek Road and Dry Creek Road.
Encina's Railroad History
Encina is an important point on the Huntington Subdivision mainline. It marks the highest point, or "summit," of this railway section.
Building the Tracks
The railroad tracks that pass through Encina were originally built by the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. This company constructed the railway between 1882 and 1884. These tracks were a vital part of connecting different areas by train.
