Perry, Oregon facts for kids
Perry is a small, unincorporated community in Union County, Oregon, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Instead, it's usually managed by the county.
Perry is located about five miles west of La Grande. It sits right next to the Grande Ronde River and Interstate 84, a major highway. This community was first called Stumptown, but its name was later changed to honor an early railroad dispatcher in La Grande.
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Where is Perry Located?
Perry is found in northeastern Oregon. Its exact location is 45°20′53″N 118°10′01″W / 45.348°N 118.167°W. The land here is about 2,987 feet (or 910 meters) above sea level. This makes it quite high up compared to many other places.
How Perry Began: A Town Built on Timber
Perry started to grow in 1890. This happened when the Smith-Stanley Lumber Company decided to build a large sawmill in the area. A sawmill is a factory where logs are cut into lumber, which is wood used for building.
In the same year the mill was built, a post office was also opened in Perry. This was important because it helped people send and receive mail, connecting them to the outside world.
Changes at the Mill
Over the years, the sawmill changed owners several times. First, it was sold to Charley and Jim Mimnaugh. Then, in 1900, it was sold again to C.W. Nibley and George Stoddard. They renamed the mill the Grande Ronde Lumber Company.
The Town on the Move!
Something very unusual happened to Perry in 1927. The Grande Ronde Lumber Company joined with another company called the Stoddard Lumber Company from Baker City. After this merger, the sawmill was moved! It traveled across the valley to a new place called Pondosa.
When the mill moved, most of the people who lived and worked in Perry moved with it. This meant that Perry became much smaller. The post office, which had been a key part of the community, was closed down in 1931.
