Walker, Oregon facts for kids
Walker is a small, unincorporated community in Lane 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 does. Walker is found about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Cottage Grove. It sits right on Oregon Route 99, close to the Coast Fork Willamette River.
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Discovering Walker, Oregon
Walker has an interesting past, especially with its connection to trains and mail!
A Look Back: Walker's History
Trains Arrive in Walker
Back in 1881, a train station called "Walkers" was built here. It was part of the Siskiyou Line, run by the Southern Pacific Railroad. Trains were a super important way to travel and move goods back then.
How Walker Got Its Name
The Walker post office opened in 1891. A person named Francis Smith started it. He bought land from an early settler, Mrs. J. F. Walker, and decided to name the post office after her. Interestingly, people were already calling the area "Walker" at least ten years before the post office opened! In 1898, the train station's name was changed to "Walker" to match the post office. The post office eventually closed in 1925.
Community Life in Walker
Old Schoolhouse and Church
In 1990, the old schoolhouse in Walker was being used as a shed and a workshop. This shows how buildings can change their purpose over time! The Walker Union Church was built in 1895. It also has a church cemetery nearby, which is a place where people are buried.
Walker's Weather
A Mild Climate
Walker has a type of weather called a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means that the summers are warm but not super hot, and they are usually dry. The average monthly temperatures never go above 71.6°F (22°C). On climate maps, this kind of weather is often shown as "Csb" according to the Köppen Climate Classification system.
