Waldo, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waldo, Oregon
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Waldo Cemetery
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 Waldo, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Waldo, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Josephine |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Waldo is a fascinating ghost town in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. It's located very close to the California border, about three miles away. A ghost town is a place that used to be a lively community but is now mostly empty, often with few or no people living there.
The Story of Waldo
Waldo began its life in 1852 as a busy gold mining camp. People came here hoping to strike it rich by finding gold! Back then, it was known by a different name: Sailor's Diggings.
How Waldo Got Its Name
The town got its current name, "Waldo," a bit later. It was named after a man named William Waldo. In 1853, William Waldo was running for governor of California. He belonged to a political group called the Whig Party.
Interestingly, William Waldo thought this settlement was actually in California. So, he came to campaign here, trying to convince the people to vote for him. Even though it turned out the town was in Oregon, the name stuck!
Waldo's Important Role
For a time, Waldo was a very important place. It served as the very first county seat for Josephine County. A county seat is like the main town or city in a county, where the local government offices are located.
The town also had its own post office, which opened in 1856. This was a big deal, as it connected the community to the rest of the world. However, like many mining towns, Waldo's importance faded over time. The post office eventually closed down in 1928, marking the end of an era for this once-thriving settlement. Today, Waldo remains a quiet reminder of Oregon's gold rush history.
