Rye Valley, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rye Valley, Oregon
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 Rye Valley, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Rye Valley, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker |
| Elevation | 3,189 ft (972 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1131852 |
Rye Valley is a small, unincorporated community located in Baker County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. An unincorporated community is a place that does not have its own local government, like a city or town does. It is managed by the county instead.
Rye Valley is situated along Dixie Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into the Burnt River. This area is about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Baker City. You can find Rye Valley just west of Interstate 84, close to the places called Weatherby and Dixie.
Contents
History of Rye Valley
How Rye Valley Got Its Name
Rye Valley was named after a special type of native grass that grew in the area. This grass was very important in the 1860s. It was used as "forage," which means food, for pack animals like horses and mules. These animals helped immigrants and miners travel through the region and carry their supplies.
The Rye Valley Post Office
A post office opened in Rye Valley on September 27, 1869. This was a place where people could send and receive mail. The post office did not stay open all the time; it operated off and on until September 14, 1935. The very first person to be in charge of the post office, known as the postmaster, was Nayson S. Whitcomb.
Wildfire Event
The 2014 Rye Valley Fire
On July 24, 2014, a wildfire started in the Rye Valley area. This fire was caused by a lightning strike. Lightning first hit land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which is a government agency.
However, strong winds quickly pushed the fire onto forestlands. These lands were protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Firefighters worked hard to control the blaze. It took them three days to fully contain the fire and make sure it would not spread anymore.
