Kamela, Oregon facts for kids

Kamela is a small, unincorporated community located in Union County, Oregon in the United States. It's found west of Interstate 84 in Oregon, about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of the city of La Grande, Oregon.

What's in a Name?

The name "Kamela" has a few interesting stories behind it! One idea is that it was created by combining the first letters of civil engineers who worked on the local railroad. Another story suggests it's a word from the Cayuse people meaning "tree."

A different explanation says that Kamela was once called "Summit Station" when it was a stop for stagecoaches. When the Union Pacific Railroad came through, they needed a new name. A local doctor, William Cameron McKay, was asked to suggest names from Native American languages. "Kamela" was chosen from his list.

According to someone from the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the word "Kamela" meant "tamarack" (a type of tree) in the Nez Perce language. However, Dr. McKay's daughter was sure the word meant "summit" (the highest point). It's a bit of a mystery, but all the stories connect Kamela to its natural surroundings or its railroad history! The Kamela post office served the community from 1887 to 1949.

Kamela's Railroad History

Kamela holds a special place in railroad history because it's the highest railroad pass in the Blue Mountains (Oregon). It sits at an elevation of about 4,206 feet (1,282 meters). Because of its high location, Kamela was an important spot for the railroad. It had a roundhouse, which is a building used to store and repair trains. It also served as a place where wood and timber were handled for the railroad.

In 1904, about 220 people lived in Kamela. By 1940, the population had changed to 27 people. At one time, the community even had its own school.

One of the last train robberies in Oregon actually started in Kamela in 1914. This event is a part of the area's unique past.