Willowcreek, Oregon facts for kids

Willowcreek is a small community in Malheur County, Oregon, United States. It's not an official town or city, but a village where people live. Willowcreek is located about 11 miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Vale along U.S. Route 26.

In Willowcreek, you'll find a store that also has a café, which is a handy spot for locals. The area also has its own elementary school. Even though Willowcreek has its own identity, mail sent there uses a Vale mailing address. The closest post office is actually in a nearby place called Jamieson. You can find Willowcreek on a map at these coordinates: 44.114605 latitude and -117.364349 longitude.

Where the Name Came From

The name Willowcreek comes from a nearby stream called Willow Creek. This creek is an important waterway in the county and flows into the Malheur River.

The Old Train Station

Long ago, there was a train station in this area. It was part of the Union Pacific (UP) railroad system. This station was called Lancaster or Lancaster Station. It got its name from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a city far away.

The station was on a train line known as the Brogan Line. This line was named after D. M. Brogan, who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Union Pacific railroad later removed this train line.

Post Office History

Willowcreek had its own post office starting in 1937. This was a place where people could send and receive mail. However, the post office eventually closed down by 1980.

Education

Students in Willowcreek attend the Willowcreek Elementary School. This school is part of the Vale School District. After elementary school, students usually go to Vale High School, which is the only high school in the Vale School District.