Maxville, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maxville, Oregon
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 Maxville, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Maxville, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Wallowa |
| Elevation | 4,058 ft (1,237 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
97828
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| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
Maxville is a small, quiet place in northern Wallowa County, Oregon, USA. It used to be a special kind of town called a "company town." This means a company built it for its workers.
Maxville was built in 1923 by the Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company. This company was big and came from the Southern United States. They hired skilled loggers from the South, no matter their race. However, because of old rules called Jim Crow laws, Maxville had separate areas for different groups of people. This included different neighborhoods, schools, and even baseball teams.
Contents
History of Maxville
How Maxville Started
The Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company wanted to make money from the many trees in the Pacific Northwest. To make sure they had enough workers, they brought people from the South. These workers helped build a town for the railroad and lumber company.
The town was first called "Mac's Town." This name came from J.D. Macmillan, who was the superintendent of the lumber company. Later, the name changed to "Maxville." Before working with wood, many African Americans worked in coal mines. But as coal became harder to find, many started working in the lumber industry.
The Logging Industry in Maxville
The business of cutting down trees and making wood was very big in Oregon in the early 1900s. Some towns that grew around logging sites were known for making workers do too much. But in Oregon, these towns often helped loggers support their families.
As the wood industry grew in Maxville, local businesses helped the workers. Everyone who worked in the industry got food and services, no matter their race. Over time, it became hard to keep cutting down so many trees. People who invested in the town, like those in Maxville, asked the government to help with logging efforts.
Life in Maxville
African American People in Maxville
Maxville was the only town in Wallowa County that had African American citizens. About 40 to 60 out of 400 people in the town were African American. For many white citizens, these were the first African American people they had met.
Because of the Jim Crow laws, African Americans and white people were kept separate. This included schools, homes, and baseball teams. Even with separate teams, the baseball teams from Maxville played together and won against teams from other counties. The schools in Maxville were the first separate schools in Oregon. White and black workers often had different jobs. But sometimes, they worked together when cutting trees in the forest. Even though the town had rules that separated people, most people in Maxville got along well.
Daily Life in Town
Life in Maxville was mostly about work. There were many jobs in the forests, mills, farms, and ranches. The town did not have many places for fun. The most common ways to relax were hunting and fishing.
Life in Maxville was tough because of where it was and the work conditions. Most buildings did not have indoor plumbing or heating. The work of cutting trees was very dangerous. Many men got hurt, some with minor injuries and some very serious. It was also common for workers to be badly injured from falling tree parts.
Maxville Today
Maxville used to be a busy logging town, but now it is empty. The only buildings left are the old offices of the Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company.
Every year in early August, there is an event called the Annual Maxville Gathering. It takes place at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds. This event helps people learn about the town's history. Speakers share personal stories to teach others about Oregon black exclusion laws. There are also logging shows, performances, and auctions at the event.
The Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center is in Joseph, Oregon. It works to save the town's history. They do this with exhibits, photos, and stories from people who lived there. It is a group that does not make a profit and is run by volunteers. These volunteers know a lot about Maxville's past.
Maxville is an important historical place. It helps students learn about history and rural life. Students can take educational tours to see the wildlife around the area. Experts are also studying the area. Projects are happening to keep the history alive. In 2012, a special award helped Marv and Rindy Ross create a musical project called "On Higher Ground." It is based on Maxville's history and shows how the logging town was separated. Even though no one lives there now, Maxville is still a landmark. It helps educate people in many different areas of study. Parts of the old town site are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
