Hamilton, Oregon facts for kids
Hamilton is a very small place in Grant County, Oregon, in the United States. It's not a big city or even a town, but what we call an unincorporated community. This means it's a small group of homes that isn't officially part of a city. In 1993, there were only three houses and no businesses there! You can find Hamilton in Oregon on a road called Oregon Route 402. It's located east of a place called Monument, Oregon and west of Long Creek, Oregon.
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Discovering Hamilton, Oregon
Hamilton is a tiny community with a big history, especially for those who settled in the area long ago. Even though it's very small today, it played a part in the early days of Grant County, Oregon. Understanding places like Hamilton helps us learn about how different parts of the United States grew over time.
Who Was John Henry Hamilton?
The community of Hamilton and a nearby mountain, also called Hamilton Mountain, got their names from a man named John Henry Hamilton. He was the very first settler in this area. John Henry Hamilton was a cattle rancher, which means he raised cows. He arrived in Grant County, Oregon around 1874. He lived there for many years until he passed away in 1909.
Life on Hamilton's Ranch
John Henry Hamilton's ranch was an important spot for the early settlers in the area. People living nearby would often meet at his ranch. One fun activity they enjoyed was racing horses! This shows how communities formed around important people and places in the past.
Hamilton's Post Office Story
Even small communities like Hamilton needed ways to communicate with the outside world. That's where a post office came in handy! The Hamilton post office was officially opened in 1884. This was a big step for the community, making it easier for people to send and receive letters.
The First Store and Postmaster
A man named Anson C. Frink was very important to the early days of Hamilton. He built the very first store in the community. Not only that, but he also served as the first postmaster for the Hamilton post office. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. The Hamilton post office served the community for many years before it finally closed its doors in 1959.
