Harney, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harney, Oregon
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 Harney, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Harney, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Harney |
| Named for | William S. Harney, a military officer |
| Elevation | 4,173 ft (1,272 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
97720
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| Coordinates and elevation from United States Geological Survey | |
Harney is a small, unincorporated community located in Harney County, Oregon. 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. Harney is found north of U.S. Route 20, between the towns of Burns and Buchanan.
The community, the county, and even a nearby lake called Harney Lake are all named after William S. Harney. He was a well-known military officer in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-1800s.
Harney's History
The Fort and the Community
Long ago, in the 1860s and 1870s, there was a military base called Fort Harney near this area. Soldiers at the fort sometimes had conflicts with Native American tribes. Over time, this fort was known by different names, including Rattlesnake Camp and Camp Steele, before finally becoming Fort Harney.
In 1889, the military decided they no longer needed the fort, and it was abandoned. However, a civilian community had already started to grow about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the fort. This community was built along a stream called Rattlesnake Creek.
The Post Office
A post office is a place where you can send and receive mail. The first post office in this area was set up at Fort Harney in 1874. It was originally named Camp Harney. The first person in charge of the post office, called the postmaster, was William T. Stevens.
In 1885, the post office's name was changed to Harney. It was also moved from the old fort location to the new civilian community. Robert J. Ives became the first postmaster at this new location.
