Nelson, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nelson, Oregon
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Former unincorporated community
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 Nelson, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Nelson, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker |
| Elevation | 2,628 ft (801 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1136567 |
Nelson is a historic place in Baker County, Oregon, in the United States. It's not a city with its own government, but rather a small area that used to be important. You can find Nelson about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of a town called Durkee. It's right near U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 84, which are major roads.
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Nelson, Oregon: A Historic Location
Nelson is known as an "unincorporated area." This means it's a place that doesn't have its own local government, like a mayor or city council. Instead, it's part of a larger county.
This small area has a rich history, especially because of its connection to important industries in Oregon.
The Story of the Cement Plant
Nelson is about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of another place called Lime. For many years, a cement plant in Lime used limestone found nearby to make cement.
How Nelson Helped Make Cement
When the limestone near Lime started to run out, Nelson became very important. Nelson had its own large deposits of limestone. This meant it could supply the raw material needed for cement production.
A New Plant in Nelson
In 1979, a brand new cement plant was built right in Nelson. This new plant took over from the older one in Lime, which closed down in 1980. The plant in Nelson continued to make cement, which is a key ingredient for concrete used in buildings and roads.
The Plant Today
The cement plant in Nelson had to close for a short time in 2009. However, by 2014, it was up and running again! The company that owns it, Ash Grove Cement Company, often calls it their "Durkee plant" because it's so close to Durkee.
Railroad Connections
Nelson also played a role in the history of railroads in Oregon. It is located along a major railway line.
The Union Pacific Line
Nelson is on the main railway line of the Union Pacific Railroad. This specific part of the track is called the Huntington Subdivision.
Early Railroad History
This railway line was first owned by a company called the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. The tracks that run through Nelson were built a long time ago, between 1882 and 1884. This shows how important Nelson was for transportation and industry in the past.
