Lancaster, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lancaster, Oregon
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 Lancaster, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Lancaster, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Lane |
| Elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1122931 |
Lancaster is a small, unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government. It's located about two miles south of Harrisburg and two miles north of Junction City. You can find it on Oregon Route 99E near the Willamette River.
Contents
Exploring Lancaster's Past
Early Beginnings and Names
The first post office in this area was opened in 1858. It was called Freedom. Later, in 1866, its name was changed to Lancaster. Then, in 1872, the name changed again to Junction City. It's thought that the post office might have moved about two miles south after this last name change.
From Woodyville to Lancaster
Around 1852 or 1853, a man named Woody started a place for travelers to stop. It was like an inn or a roadhouse. He called this spot "Woodyville." People also knew it as Woody's Landing.
Later, a person named Johnson Mulkey bought the property. He built a sawmill there. A sawmill is a place where logs are cut into lumber. Mulkey then changed the name of the area to Lancaster. The sawmill was still working in 1861 and probably for a while after that.
Hopes for a Town
Two stores also opened in Lancaster. The location was chosen because it was close to the southernmost point on the Willamette River where boats could travel. It was also near a successful farming area. People hoped Lancaster would grow into an important town.
Challenges and Changes
However, a big event called the Great Flood of 1862 changed things. This flood changed the path of the river. It left Lancaster too far from the main river channel. Also, the Oregon and California Railroad built its tracks around Lancaster, not through it. Because of these changes, Junction City became the more important community nearby.
