Thomas, Oregon facts for kids

Thomas is a fascinating ghost town located in Linn County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, often leaving behind empty buildings and a quiet history.

What Was Thomas Like?

Thomas was once a small community that had its own post office. A post office is where people send and receive mail. The post office in Thomas opened in 1898. It stayed open for many years, helping the people who lived there. However, it closed down in 1920.

How Did Thomas Get Its Name?

The town of Thomas was named after a nearby stream called Thomas Creek. It's common for towns to be named after local landmarks like rivers or mountains.

Thomas and the Railroad

Thomas was also an important stop on a railroad line. It was a station for the Oregon Pacific Railroad. Later, this railroad company changed its name to the Corvallis and Eastern Railroad. Railroads were very important a long time ago. They helped people travel and moved goods like food and supplies from one place to another. Being a railroad station meant Thomas was connected to other towns and cities.