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National Register of Historic Places listings in Umatilla County, Oregon facts for kids

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Map of Oregon highlighting Umatilla County
Location of Umatilla County in Oregon

This list presents the full set of buildings, structures, objects, sites, or districts designated on the National Register of Historic Places in Umatilla County, Oregon, and offers brief descriptive information about each of them. The National Register recognizes places of national, state, or local historic significance across the United States. Out of over 90,000 National Register sites nationwide, Oregon is home to over 2,000, and 43 of those are found in Umatilla County.


Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special buildings and places in your community? In Umatilla County, Oregon, there are many amazing historic sites! These places are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect buildings, objects, and places that tell us about the past.

When a place is on this list, it means it's a big part of history. It could be a building where important events happened, a special house, or even an old archaeological site. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots in Umatilla County!

Historic Buildings and Places in Umatilla County

Many different kinds of places are on the National Register. Some are old homes, some are schools, and others are businesses that have been around for a long time. Each one has a story to tell about how people lived and worked in the past.

Adams Historic Sites

  • Adams Odd Fellows Hall: This building is located at 190 Main St. in Adams. It was added to the list on August 5, 1994. The Odd Fellows were a friendly society, like a club, that helped people in their community.
  • Greasewood Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church: You can find this church on Finn Rd. at Finland Cemetery Rd. near Adams. It became historic on July 14, 1988. This church shows the history of Finnish people who settled in the area.
  • Reese and Redman General Merchandise Store: This old store at 130 S. Main St. in Adams was added to the list on August 8, 1994. General merchandise stores used to sell everything from food to tools!

Echo's Historic Treasures

The town of Echo has many buildings on the National Register, especially along Main Street.

  • Arlington Hotel: Located at 131 W. Main St., this hotel was listed on August 28, 1997. Hotels like this were important stops for travelers long ago.
  • Bank of Echo Building: This building at 230 W. Main St. was added on April 15, 1982. It was once a busy bank helping the town's economy.
  • Joseph Cunha Farmstead: This farm at 33263 Oregon Trail Rd. was listed on August 28, 1997. It shows what a working farm looked like in the past.
  • Echo City Hall: The city hall at 20 S. Bonanza St. was added on August 28, 1997. This is where local government decisions were made.
  • Echo Methodist Church: Found at 1 N. Bonanza St., this church was listed on August 28, 1997. It was first built in 1886 in a simple style. Later, in 1910, it was changed to the beautiful Gothic Revival style. It's a great example of this type of architecture in Echo.
  • James Edwards Building: This building at 320 W. Main St. was added on August 28, 1997.
  • J. H. Koontz Building: At 111 W. Main St., this building joined the list on August 28, 1997.
  • James H. and Cynthia Koontz House: The Koontz family home at 210 N. Dupont St. was listed on August 28, 1997.
  • St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church: This church is at the junction of Marble St. and Leezer Ave. It was listed on August 28, 1997.
  • Umatilla Masonic Lodge Hall: Located at 20 S. Dupont St., this lodge hall was added on August 28, 1997. Masonic lodges are old community organizations.

Milton-Freewater's Heritage

Milton-Freewater also has several significant places.

  • Central Middle School: This school at 306 SW 2nd Ave. was listed on October 20, 2010. It's cool to think about how many students have learned here over the years!
  • Columbia College: Found at 722 S. Main St., this building was added on January 21, 2004. It was once a college, helping people get an education.
  • Frazier Farmstead Museum: This historic farm at 1403 Chestnut St. became a listed site on June 5, 1986. It's now a museum where you can learn about farm life.
  • Sarah E. Ireland House: This house at 311 S. Main St. was listed on January 21, 1994.
  • Still–Perkins House: At 112 SE 6th Ave., this house was added on September 9, 1993.
  • Walla Walla Valley Traction Company Passenger Station and Powerhouse: This building at 403 Robbins St. was listed on September 9, 1993. It was part of an old electric train system that connected towns.

Pendleton's Historic Landmarks

Pendleton is a larger city with many historic buildings, especially in its downtown area.

  • Bowman Hotel: This hotel at 17 SW Frazer Ave. was listed on November 6, 1980.
  • William J. and Lodema Clarke House: This house at 203 NW Despain Ave. was added on June 13, 1997.
  • Ellis–Hampton House: Located at 711 SE Byers Ave., this house was listed on October 23, 1986.
  • Empire Block: This block of buildings at 21–37 SW Emigrant Ave. was added on June 1, 1982. It's a group of historic shops and offices.
  • Hamley and Company Leather Goods Store: This famous store at 30 SE Court Ave. was listed on June 9, 1982. Hamley's is known for its high-quality leather goods, especially for cowboys and rodeos.
  • Hendricks Building (K.O.T.M.): At 369 S. Main St., this building was added on June 1, 1982.
  • Johnson–Ellis House: This house at 326 SE 2nd St. was listed on March 14, 1986.
  • LaDow Block: This group of buildings at 201–239 SE Court Ave. was added on October 22, 1992.
  • Masonic Temple: Located at 18 SW Emigrant Ave., this temple was listed on June 1, 1982.
  • Matlock–Brownfield Building: This building at 413–425 S. Main St. was added on June 1, 1982.
  • Milarkey Building: At 203 S. Main St., this building was listed on September 23, 1982.
  • Edgar Sommerville House: This house at 104 SE 5th St. was added on October 14, 1980.
  • South Main Street Commercial Historic District: This is a whole area, roughly bounded by Dorion Ave., SE 1st St., Union Pacific Railroad, and SW 2nd St. It was listed on October 10, 1986. It means many buildings in this part of downtown Pendleton are historically important.
  • Umatilla County Library: The library at 214 N. Main St. was added on August 15, 1997. It's a beautiful old building where people have been reading and learning for many years.
  • U.S. Post Office and Courthouse: This important building at 104 SW Dorion Ave. was listed on March 4, 1985. It's where mail was handled and legal cases were heard.
  • Joseph Vey House: This house at 1304 SE Court Pl. was added on February 27, 1986.

Other Umatilla County Sites

  • Meacham Hotel: This hotel on Main St. in Meacham was listed on August 6, 2002. It was once a popular stop for travelers on the old roads.
  • Umatilla Site (35UM1): This is a very special archaeological site near Umatilla. It was listed on January 30, 1981. This site is super old, going back to 470 BCE and even earlier! Scientists have found remains of old pit houses, stone and bone art, and even ancient burials here. It tells us a lot about how early people lived and fished in Oregon.
  • M. L. Watts House: This house at 4th at Jefferson St. in Athena was listed on March 9, 1988.

Weston's Historic Spots

The town of Weston also has some cool historic places.

  • Isham Saling House: This house at 314 N. Water St. was listed on January 1, 1976.
  • Weston Commercial Historic District: This is a historic area on E. Main St. between Water and Broad St. It was listed on October 5, 1982. It shows what the main business street looked like long ago.
  • Weston Middle School: The school at 205 E. Wallace St. was added on December 30, 2011.
  • Winn Barn: This barn at 79560 Winn Rd. near Weston was listed on December 30, 2011. Old barns like this are important parts of farming history.

Images for kids

See also

External links

  • Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, National Register Program
  • National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places site
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