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McDonald, Oregon facts for kids

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McDonald, Oregon
McDonald crossing
McDonald crossing
McDonald, Oregon is located in Oregon
McDonald, Oregon
McDonald, Oregon
Location in Oregon
McDonald, Oregon is located in the United States
McDonald, Oregon
McDonald, Oregon
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Oregon
County Sherman
Elevation
404 ft (123 m)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
97065
Area code(s) 458 and 541

McDonald is a small, quiet place in Sherman County, Oregon, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town. Instead, it's managed by the larger county government.

History of McDonald

McDonald started as a place where people lived and worked. It was important for a while because it had a post office.

The Post Office

The post office in McDonald was first opened on March 15, 1902. It was located right by the John Day River. A man named William G. McDonald was the very first postmaster. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office.

Why the Post Office Closed

The post office served the community for about 20 years. However, it eventually closed down on October 14, 1922. Many small post offices like McDonald's closed in the early 1900s. This often happened when new roads were built or when mail delivery methods changed. People could then get their mail from larger towns nearby.

William G. McDonald

William G. McDonald was the first person to run the post office here. The community was likely named after him or his family, who were early settlers in the area. Many small places in Oregon got their names from important people who lived there.

Geography and Location

McDonald is located in Sherman County, Oregon. This county is in the northern part of Oregon, near the Columbia River.

John Day River

The community is situated near the John Day River. This river is very important in Oregon. It flows for a long distance and is known for its natural beauty and for being a place where people can fish. Being near a river often meant a good water source and easier travel in the past.

Sherman County

Sherman County is mostly a rural area. It is known for its farming, especially for growing wheat. The landscape often includes rolling hills and open fields. McDonald is just one of many small communities in this agricultural region.

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