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Horton, Oregon facts for kids

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Horton, Oregon
The general store in Horton, back when it was a busy place.

Horton is a small, quiet place in Lane County, Oregon, in the United States. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town does. Horton is located about three miles northeast of Blachly. You can find it nestled in the Lake Creek valley, which is part of the beautiful Central Oregon Coast Range.

Discovering Horton's Past

How Horton Began

Horton started thanks to three brothers: E. J. Horton, Sam M. Horton, and J. C. Horton. They moved to this area in 1903. The brothers decided to open a sawmill, which they called Horton Mill. A sawmill is a factory where logs are cut into lumber. This lumber is then used to build houses and other structures.

The Post Office and Its Name

As more people settled in the area, a post office was needed. In 1913, a post office was officially opened in Horton. It was named after the Horton family, who had helped start the community. Sam Horton, one of the brothers, became the very first postmaster. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. The Horton post office served the community for many years before it finally closed in 1960.

Life and Work in Early Horton

The economy of Horton mainly depended on two big industries: lumber and dairy. The lumber industry involved cutting down trees and processing them into wood products. The dairy industry focused on farming cows to produce milk and other dairy products. These industries provided jobs and helped the community grow.

By 1915, Horton was a busy little community. It had a public school where children could learn. There were also two churches, which were important places for people to gather. In addition, Horton had two fraternal lodges. These were social clubs where people could meet and support each other.

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