81-535: The Pete French Round Barn , located near Burns , Oregon , United States , is a round barn listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The late 19th century barn was owned and constructed by cattle rancher Peter French ; French trained horses there during the winter. The barn was listed on the National Register on September 10, 1971. This round barn was constructed sometime in
162-473: A Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . These numbers show a small but definite shift towards the Democratic candidate when compared to the 2004 presidential election , in which 78.9% of Grant County voters voted for George W. Bush , while 19.2% voted for John Kerry , and 1.9% of voters either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . The 2008 presidential election, however,
243-851: A continental Mediterranean climate ( Dsb ) that averages 99 days with precipitation each year. Cloud cover varies from an average of 25 percent in July to 76 percent in January. Normal annual precipitation amounts to about 11 inches or 279 millimetres, including 34 inches or 86 centimetres of snow. The average relative humidity, measured at 4 p.m. daily, is 42 percent, varying from 21 percent in July to 68 percent in December and January. The normal monthly daily average temperature ranges from about 24 °F (−4 °C) in December to 67 °F (19 °C) in July. On average, highs reach 90 °F (32 °C) on 24 days annually and stay at or below
324-430: A family was $ 43,521. Males had a median income of $ 40,603 versus $ 27,326 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,041. About 11.4% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 7,935 people, 3,246 households, and 2,233 families residing in the county. The population density
405-495: A few stands of Western White Pine . Cottonwoods grow along some rivers and streams, and there are small groves of birch and Quaking Aspen at higher elevations. There is also a rare and isolated stand of Alaska Yellow Cedar in the Aldrich Mountains. Other flora includes a wide variety of native grasses and wildflowers, huckleberries, wild strawberries, elderberries, several types of edible mushrooms and Oregon-grape ,
486-511: A male householder with no wife present, and 43.8% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age in the city was 44.5 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 30.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
567-640: A need for county government. Grant County's government operates in accordance with the Oregon Constitution which was ratified by the People of Oregon in November 1857, and the revised Statutes of Oregon. It employs the old-western county government system: the County Court, with a County Judge and two Commissioners. While the County Court no longer exercises much judicial authority, it serves as
648-472: A need to transact business at the courthouse. In 1889, more than half of the southern part of the original Grant County was taken to form Harney County . Also in 1899, a small part of northwestern Grant County was taken (along with parts of Crook and Gilliam counties) to form Wheeler County . After gold was discovered in 1862 on Whiskey Flat, it has been estimated that within ten days 1,000 miners were camped along Canyon Creek. This increased population created
729-501: A total population of only about 7,600. Most of that population lives in Burns or Hines , about 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Burns. Burns had about 2,800 residents in 2010 and Hines about 1,600, for a total of 4,400, nearly 60 percent of the county population. The city is 132 miles (212 km) east of Bend, and 132 miles (212 km) west of Ontario, Oregon , on U.S. Route 20 at its intersection with U.S. Route 395 . Burns
810-531: A tribal community center. The Harney County Courthouse is in Burns. County officials include a judge and two commissioners, a clerk, treasurer, assessor, district attorney, justice of the peace, sheriff, and circuit court judge. Cliff Bentz , a Republican , won election in 2020 to represent Burns as part of Oregon's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives . Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley , both Democrats , serve
891-643: Is 6 miles (10 km) east of the city. Pony Express provides air freight service. Haney County Senior & Community Services Center operates the Dial-A-Ride, which provides a local bus route between Burns and Hines . Public Oregon Intercity Transit (POINT) is an intercity bus system that includes service between Bend and Ontario , Oregon. It departs from Burns once daily in each direction. The buses are wheelchair accessible, can seat up to 20 passengers, and can be used for package delivery as well as public transport. Harney District Hospital in Burns
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#1732790822803972-1070: Is a branch of Silvies River Charter School in Burns, the Burns Learning Center. Harney County is not in a community college district but Burns, along with the county, has a "contract out of district" (COD) with Treasure Valley Community College . TVCC operates the Burns Outreach Center in Burns. The Harney County Library is located in Burns. Formed in 1903 by the Ladies Afternoon Club, the Harney County Library has grown from an initial collection of 12 books to more than 30,000 items in 2013. Library offerings include public computers, wireless Internet, video conferencing equipment, meeting spaces, and public programs, as well as books, magazines, newspapers, audio books, videos, DVDs , and access to Interlibrary Loan . The weekly Burns Times-Herald
1053-528: Is a city in and the county seat of Harney County , in the U.S. state of Oregon . According to the 2020 census , the population was 2,730. Burns and the nearby city of Hines are home to about 60 percent of the people in the sparsely populated county, by area the largest in Oregon and the ninth largest in the United States. The Burns–Hines region has a high-desert climate but was much wetter in
1134-526: Is a general medical and surgical hospital with 20 patient beds. HDH Family Care and Mountain Sage Medical operate medical clinics in the city. The Burns–Hines VA Clinic in Burns provides general medical services to military veterans. Emergency medical services include AirLink Critical Care Transport and Life Flight Network via helicopter or airplane to the nearest appropriate treatment center. Works cited Grant County, Oregon Grant County
1215-507: Is about 200 miles (322 km) south of Pendleton . Oregon Route 78 runs between Burns and communities to the southeast including Crane , Princeton , and Burns Junction , about 100 miles (161 km) away. A fourth highway, Oregon Route 205 , links the city to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, 36 miles (58 km) to the south, and to Frenchglen , further south near Steens Mountain. According to
1296-568: Is an arid to temperate region, with average annual precipitation ranging from 9 inches (230 mm) near Picture Gorge, to over 40 inches (1,000 mm) in the Strawberry Mountains. Annual precipitation in the valleys averages between 12 and 14 inches (360 mm), while the uplands or highlands of the county average between 16 and 24 inches (610 mm). Grant County averages between 40 and 60 days each year that see more than 0.10 inches (2.5 mm) of precipitation. A great deal of
1377-405: Is bordered by a total of eight Oregon counties. This is the most of any county in the state. As of the 2010 census , there were 7,445 people, 3,352 households, and 2,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.6 inhabitants per square mile (0.62/km ). There were 4,344 housing units at an average density of 1.0 units per square mile (0.39 units/km ). The racial makeup of
1458-657: Is controlled by the Federal Government, most of which is controlled by the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Grant County contains most of the Malheur National Forest and sections of the Wallowa–Whitman , Umatilla and Ochoco National Forests, and has more than 150,000 acres (610 km ) of federally designated Wilderness Areas. Grant County contains the headwaters of
1539-623: Is far different than in prehistoric times. Fossil records show that, in the Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, much of the county was an ancient seabed. After emerging, the absence of the Cascade Mountains allowed the region to experience a relatively wet temperate climate. Ancient Tertiary rivers flowed through the area on courses that would be impossible today. During the Cenozoic Era, volcanic activity and extensive lava flows in
1620-462: Is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon . Grant County was established on October 14, 1864, from parts of old Wasco and old Umatilla counties. Prior to its creation, cases brought to court were tried in The Dalles , county seat of the vast Wasco County. The great distance to The Dalles made law enforcement a difficult problem, and imposed a heavy burden on citizens who had
1701-545: Is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon . As of the 2020 census , the population was 7,233, making it Oregon's fourth-least populous county. The county seat is Canyon City . It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant , who served as an army officer in the Oregon Territory , and at the time of the county's creation was a Union general in the American Civil War . Grant County
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#17327908228031782-429: Is said to have boasted the largest population of any community in Oregon. Mining and ranching, along with timber and then the service and public works that followed, brought people into the area and communities grew around the natural centers of industry and agriculture. Canyon City hosts an annual summer festival called "'62 Days" (referencing the local gold discovery in 1862) to celebrate its history and residents. Since
1863-566: Is the only newspaper in the city. In 2006, five members of the Times-Herald staff formed Survival Media LLC, which bought the newspaper from its former out-of-state owners. According to Survival Media, this was the first staff buyout of a newspaper in Oregon. Two commercial radio stations, KZHC-FM (92.7 FM) and KZHC (1230 AM), are licensed to broadcast from Burns. Burns Municipal Airport provides general aviation services. The airport, with 5,100 feet (1,600 m) of lighted runway,
1944-588: The John Day River , which has more miles of Wild and Scenic River designation than any other river in the United States. The elevation of the county varies from 1,820 on the John Day River near Kimberly , to 9,038 feet (2,755 m) at the summit of Strawberry Mountain . The terrain of the county varies from grassland steppes and rangelands in relatively open or rolling hills and valleys, to steep, rugged, rocky high-alpine landscapes. Between these,
2025-660: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 3.55 square miles (9.19 km ), all land. Burns is in southeastern Oregon near the northern edge of the arid Harney Basin . The basin is part of the High Lava Plains , a region dominated by erupting volcanoes in the late Miocene , five to ten million years ago. Centered on the Brothers Fault Zone , which runs southeast–northwest between Steens Mountain and Bend ,
2106-399: The 1930s, the city of John Day has served as the main economic center of the county, and boasts the largest population. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 4,529 square miles (11,730 km ), of which 4,529 square miles (11,730 km ) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km ) (0.02%) is water. Approximately 63% of the land area of the county
2187-599: The 20th century, about 32 inches (81 cm) of snow fell on Burns. During another top-10 event, which occurred in February 1933, the temperature at Seneca reached −54 °F (−48 °C), the lowest ever recorded in Oregon. By highway, Seneca is about 45 miles (72 km) north of Burns in the Blue Mountains. At Burns itself, record temperatures since 1939 range from −30 °F (−34 °C) on December 8, 2013, up to 107 °F (42 °C) on July 12, 2002;
2268-411: The 21st. Agricultural revenue for Harney County in 2011 totaled about $ 84 million. Of this, about 65 percent came from cattle sales, 29 percent from the sale of alfalfa hay, and most of the rest from other crops and the sale of horses. Harney County is the largest county in Oregon and the tenth largest in the United States. It covers about 10,000 square miles (26,000 km ) but has
2349-486: The Burns–Hines economy in the 21st century. Annual events include a migratory bird festival, the county fair, and a country music jamboree. Archeologists have found evidence of human habitation in the general vicinity of Burns that pushed the possibility of human habitation from the previous estimate of 10,000 to 18,000 years ago. Members of the contemporary Burns Paiute Tribe of Harney County, descended mainly from
2430-839: The High Desert Fiddlers gather on Fridays at various locations around the city to hold public jam sessions including folk, country, bluegrass , and other music played on instruments such as the guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and hammered dulcimer . The Harney County Fair is held annually in September at the Harney County Fairgrounds. The fair, which lasts about a week, includes a rodeo , carnival, talent show, horse races, parade, and other events, including those sponsored by 4-H and Future Farmers of America . The Harney County Historical Museum in Burns offers displays of relics, documents, and photographs from
2511-480: The High Desert Fiddlers host the Country Music Jamboree at the Harney County Fairgrounds on the edge of Burns. Players of all skill levels take part in the jamboree, with stages in three fairground buildings. Admission is free; donations are accepted. Concessions , dinners by reservation, camping in tents or recreational vehicles, and dancing are part of the entertainment. At other times of the year,
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2592-643: The High Lava Plains merge with the Blue Mountains to the north and the Basin and Range Province to the south. Shallow basins formed by crustal stretching in the Basin and Range province were much wetter during the late Pleistocene , up to 11,000 years ago, than they are in the 21st century. Lakes formed in these basins, including those in the southern part of the High Lava Plains. Among these,
2673-743: The Paiutes eventually returned to Harney County. In the 1930s, the Burns Paiute Tribe began buying land near Burns and holding tribal elections. By the late 1960s, the tribe had adopted a constitution and tribal bylaws, and in 1972 the Burns Paiute formally became an independent tribe, eligible to enter into contracts with other governments and legal entities. The tribe owns the Burns Paiute Reservation, 770 acres (310 ha) north of Burns, and individual members of
2754-796: The United States. The river system in Grant County includes the upper 100 miles (160 km) of the Main Stem, all of the 112 miles (180 km) of the North Fork, all 75 miles (121 km) of the Middle Fork, and all 60 miles (97 km) of the South Fork of the John Day River. From Grant County, the lower John Day River flows another 184 miles (296 km) to its confluence with the Columbia River. The southeastern corner of
2835-612: The Wadatika band of Paiutes, were hunter-gatherers throughout central and southern Oregon. The Wadatikas were named after the wada seeds collected as food from near Malheur Lake. Their territory covered about 5,300 square miles (14,000 km ) from the Cascade Range to near Boise and from the southern Blue Mountains to south of Steens Mountain. Scattered in the 19th century by clashes with white settlers and soldiers and through forced removal to distant reservations, some of
2916-622: The absences of underbrush, and the wide spacing of the trees, made it possible to drive a wagon and team of horses virtually anywhere the grade would permit. The forested land of the county vary from sparse stands of Western Juniper in more arid, open, or rocky ground, to spruce-fir stands in the highest terrain. Other forested areas (mainly above 3,200 feet (980 m) in elevation) are marked by stands of Ponderosa Pine , Douglas-fir , hybrid Grand x White Fir , Western Larch and Lodgepole Pine . At high elevations there are stands of Engelmann Spruce , Subalpine Fir , and Whitebark Pine , as well as
2997-406: The age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.69. The median age was 50.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 35,974 and the median income for
3078-428: The age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under
3159-467: The age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 32,560, and the median income for a family was $ 37,159. Males had a median income of $ 31,843 versus $ 22,253 for females. The per capita income for
3240-575: The annual spring migration of waterfowl and other birds through the area. Pelicans, ducks, and raptors are among the birds frequenting the Harney Basin wetlands, a stopping place on the Pacific Flyway . Named for a former manager of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the festival includes tours of the wetlands and nearby ranches as well as classes in topics such as birdhouse building, Harney County archeology, and bird sketching. In June,
3321-511: The area in the late 19th century, and one small glacier on Strawberry Mountain often remains year-round. The geology of Grant County is rich, including one of the largest fossil concentrations in North America: The John Day Fossil Beds , which the U.S. Congress designated as a National Monument in 1974. Valuable metals, including gold, silver, platinum group elements, chrome, copper and cobalt, are found in
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3402-412: The area's economy, with increasing lode-ore production annually, until October 1942 when the U. S. War Labor Board made gold mining illegal by Executive Order, Public Law L-208. This effectively led to several mining towns being abandoned and the demise of the mining industry in eastern Oregon and elsewhere; idle equipment was removed as scrap drives during World War II literally dismantled a great deal of
3483-475: The area. The eminent geologist, Waldemar Lindgren , who visited the area in 1900, estimated that approximately $ 16 million in gold had been mined from the Canyon City area alone by that time. (In 1900, the value of gold was fixed at $ 20.67 per ounce, so that $ 16 million in gold would have been roughly 800,000 ounces—worth today [at $ 1,600 an ounce] about $ 1.28 Billion) Mining remained the dominant sector of
3564-401: The arrival of Euro-Americans in the 19th century, cattle ranching and other forms of agriculture have dominated land use in the area. In 1930, logging in the mountains north of Burns led to the creation of Hines, a lumber company town , and the timber industry remained important to the local economy until the 1990s. In addition to ranching, a variety of private and public enterprises support
3645-405: The best fish runs recorded in the past half-century. Most of Grant County is drained by the four forks of the John Day River, all of which have their headwaters in the county. The John Day River system drains some 7,900 square miles (20,000 km ). It is the third longest free-flowing river in the "lower 48" and has more miles of federal "Wild and Scenic River" designation than any other river in
3726-497: The central stable area. The remainder of the structure is constructed from lumber that was hauled to the site from 60 miles (97 km) to the north. The interior is unique in that it is supported by juniper posts. The center area was used as a horse stable ; around the outside of the rock wall, there is a covered circular track that was used to exercise horses during winter months. The barn looks much as it did when cattleman Pete French constructed it. Burns, Oregon Burns
3807-564: The city after the Scottish poet Robert Burns . By 1891, the community had stores, a post office, hotels, and other businesses. McGowan was the town's first postmaster. In the 1920s, timber cutting and milling brought many newcomers to the region. In 1928, the Edward Hines Lumber Company acquired from the U.S. Forest Service the rights to cut timber in the Blue Mountains near Seneca , north of Burns. After winning
3888-512: The city was 51.2% male and 48.8% female. The median income for a household in the city was $ 32,877, and the median income for a family was $ 42,885. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,567. About 19.6% of families and 20% of the population had incomes below the poverty line . The Harney County Arts in Education Foundation (HCAEF) exists to support music education and the performing, visual, and theater arts in Burns and
3969-425: The city was 92.2% White , 0.3% African American , 2.6% Native American , 0.7% Asian , 0.7% from other races , and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population. There were 1,280 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had
4050-424: The county contains heavily timbered land, many rolling hills, canyons and mountainous terrain. Portions of the county are technically high desert, dominated by sagebrush and sparse grasses. Grant County includes the southern part of the Blue Mountains . One unique characteristic of the typical forestland of the area is the relatively low density of underbrush. Travelers and emigrants of the 19th century remarked that
4131-805: The county includes the headwaters of the Malheur and Little Malheur rivers, which find their way to the Snake River. The southern part of Grant County includes the northernmost reaches of the Great Basin, including the Silvies River watershed, which flows south into Harney Lake in the High Desert of Eastern Oregon. A small area in the southwestern corner of Grant County is in the Crooked River and Deschutes River watersheds. Grant County
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#17327908228034212-495: The county show 30-year highs/lows of: 103°/-37 °F at Austin; 112°/-23 °F at John Day; 108°/-25 °F at Long Creek; 112°/-26 °F at Monument; and 100°/-48 °F at Seneca. Grant County has an estimated 200 days of clear sunny or mostly sunny days, or an estimated 300 days of clear sunny, mostly sunny, or partly sunny days each year. The county experiences an estimated 65 days of overcast skies, with about 165 days of partly to mostly cloudy days annually. Grant County
4293-1070: The county was $ 16,794. About 11.20% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line , including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2000 U.S. Census statistics for Grant County show that the total workforce for Grant County was 3,800, or 62% of the total population over age 16. These people were employed as follows: 56.9% private wage/salaried positions; 14.7% private self-employed (not incorporated business); 0.8% private unpaid family workers; 27.6% public employees (municipal, county, state, federal governments); By industry: 20.6% education, health, social services; 17.3% agriculture, forestry, mining; 10.0% manufacturing; 9.8% retail trade; 7.6% arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodations, and food; 6.9% public administration; 6.5% construction; 5.9% other services; 5.1% transportation, warehousing, utilities; 4.1% professional, administrative, and waste management; 3.1% finance, insurance, real estate, leasing; 1.7% information; 1.5% wholesale trade; Like
4374-425: The county was 95.0% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.7% were German , 16.3% were English , 12.6% were Irish , 7.5% were American and 5.4% were Scottish . Of the 3,352 households, 22.8% had children under
4455-421: The county's mining infrastructure. In Oregon, Grant County's gold production was second only to Baker County . Because of the wealth of natural resources found in Grant County, agriculture, ranching, and timber industries naturally grew with and contributed to the development of the county. In the early days, sheep formed a large part of the agricultural base and the area boasted some of the largest sheep bands in
4536-514: The county's precipitation comes in the form of winter snow in the mountains. This snow pack is vital to recharge aquifers, resulting in spring run-off, and in-stream flows of water throughout the year. Average temperatures in the county range from the warmest community, Monument, with average daily highs/lows of 90°/50 °F in July and 42°/22 °F in January; to the coolest community, Seneca, with average daily highs/lows of 80°/38 °F in July and 33°/8 °F in January. Extreme temperatures in
4617-604: The county, one of which continues to operate in Prairie City. Due mainly to federal land management policies and global market pressures affecting timber and agricultural production and extraction, the county has experienced the second highest unemployment rate in Oregon for more than 30 years. The county has experienced some growth in recreational activities (including hunting) and tourism, as well as cottage industry, but residents have struggled to develop new productive industries and to diversify their economy. Slightly more than
4698-611: The entire state of Oregon in the United States Senate . Republican Lynn Findley represents District 30, including Burns, in the Oregon Senate. Republican Mark Owens represents District 60, including Burns, in the Oregon House. Harney County School District 3 provides public education in Burns and Hines, at Henry L. Slater Grade School in Burns, Hines Middle School, and Burns High School . There
4779-532: The executive branch of county government. The third man to serve as County Judge of Grant County was Cincinnatus Hiner "Joaquin" Miller (1837–1913), the noted poet, playwright, and western naturalist, called the "Poet of the Sierras" and the "Byron of the Rockies." The county seat is Canyon City, which served as the chief community of the county for many years. In 1864, when the county was organized, Canyon City
4860-481: The freezing mark on 31 days, while lows fall to or below 0 °F (−18 °C) on an average of 11 nights. The average first and last occurrences of freezing temperatures are September 2 and June 21, respectively, allowing a growing season of 72 days. In January 1950, during a series of snowstorms the National Weather Service has identified as one of Oregon's top 10 weather events of
4941-499: The historic volcanic activity in the region. Hydrothermal resources are still present, with a number of hot and warm springs. The remnants of ferns, semi-tropical and temperate deciduous forests, shellfish, saber-toothed cats, extinct horse and camel species, and giant sloth, among other extinct species found in the John Day Fossil Beds, are a reminder that the flora and fauna of the region has changed significantly over
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#17327908228035022-545: The largest depression was the Harney Basin, covering 5,300 square miles (14,000 km ). Within the Harney Basin, ancient Malheur Lake—the 21st-century remnants of which include Malheur Lake , Harney Lake , and Mud Lake—covered 900 square miles (2,300 km ) and extended as far north as Burns. These remnant wetlands have become the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge . Burns has a semi-arid continental climate ( Köppen BSk ) bordering upon
5103-446: The late 1870s or early 1880s. There were originally two—or possibly three—in the vicinity, but this is the only round barn remaining. They were used to break horses during the winter. Three hundred to one thousand horses were moved through each year. The Jenkins family donated the site to the state of Oregon in 1969. The interior of the barn consists of a circular rock wall, constructed with local rock and mud, which encloses
5184-533: The late 19th century and early 20th century, but declined during World War II due to changing market and labor pressures. The commercial timber industry in Grant County grew rapidly in the 1920s, and again during and after World War II. Livestock raising and timber harvesting remain important sectors of Grant County's economy, although the production and profitability of these industries has declined in recent years due mainly to political and expanding-market factors. Two wood-fired co-gen electric plants have been built in
5265-515: The lower John Day River; and migratory salmon and steelhead are found in the county seasonally. While salmon and steelhead returns to the John Day Basin experienced a sharp decline during the past 50 years, mainly due to the construction of large dams on the Columbia River, the major watercourses of John Day Basin remain free of physical obstructions, and the numbers of returning salmon and steelhead have improved in recent years, marking some of
5346-457: The millennia. While deer, elk, pronghorn, cougar, bear and upland game bird populations thrive today, some of these animals were remarkably scarce 200 years ago. Explorers and trappers traveling through the region in the early 19th century remarked on the scarcity of game animals and their ability (or inability, as the case were) to find food. Native fish in the region include several trout species; warm water fish such as bass and perch are found in
5427-568: The other counties in eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are affiliated with a political party in Grant County are members of the Republican Party . George W. Bush's performance here in 2000 marked the strongest of any Republican in the county, carrying just over 80% of Grant's votes in it. In the 2008 presidential election , 70.97% of Grant County voters voted for Republican John McCain , while 26.05% voted for Democrat Barack Obama and 3.94% of voters either voted for
5508-424: The recent geologic past. The Harney Basin was the largest of many depressions in which lakes formed in southeastern Oregon during the late Pleistocene . Remnants of an ancient lake that reached as far north as Burns are at the center of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge , south of the city. Northern Paiutes or their ancestors, who were hunter-gatherers , have lived in the region for thousands of years. Since
5589-476: The record low maximum is −3 °F (−19 °C) on January 6, 1982, and December 21, 1990, while the record high minimum is 73 °F (23 °C) on July 27 and 30, 1939. As of the census of 2010, there were 2,806 people, 1,280 households, and 720 families residing in the city. The population density was 790.4 inhabitants per square mile (305.2/km ). There were 1,490 housing units at an average density of 419.7 per square mile (162.0/km ). The racial makeup of
5670-526: The region began as early as the 1860s and expanded after passage of the Desert Land Act of 1877. The act promoted development of arid and semi-arid public land in the western United States by making 320-acre (130 ha) plots available to individuals willing to "reclaim, irrigate, and cultivate" the land. Some of the Harney County ranches established in the 19th century still exist in
5751-678: The region dramatically changed the landscape. The John Day Fault (one of the only major faults in North America to run east–west) runs along the southern edge of the John Day Valley, caused an uplift, forming the Strawberry and Aldrich mountain ranges and the northern boundary of the Great Basin. Relatively recently in geological terms, during the last Ice age and shortly thereafter, large lakes were present in southeastern Oregon. Continual glaciers were still clinging to mountains in
5832-445: The region's past. Established in 1960 at the site of a former brewery, laundry, and wrecking yard, the museum is open five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday) from April through September and at other times by appointment. Burns has a mayor–council government . Jerry Woodfin, one of seven elected members of the council, is the mayor. The city's public works department, consisting of a director and four full-time workers, maintains
5913-546: The region. It was this mineral wealth, and the development of gold mines in particular, that spurred the permanent settlement of the area. Large zones of serpentine, a metamorphic rock, dating from the Triassic period, are found in numerous locations. Strawberry Mountain (an extinct volcano), the granite peaks and boulders of the Elkhorn Mountains, and numerous rim rocks, lava flows and basalt outcrops are evidence of
5994-667: The region. The HCAEF is raising funds in hopes of creating a performing arts and education center with a 600-seat auditorium, art gallery, film studio, and other facilities for students and the community. The Portland Youth Philharmonic , which originated in Burns as the Sagebrush Symphony Orchestra, has performed in Burns in support of the HCAEF. Each April, Burns hosts the John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival and Art Show during
6075-589: The state plant. Non-native Cheatgrass is also prevalent in many areas of the county. Grant County is also home to what may be one of the largest living organism in the world, a giant fungus of the species Armillaria solidipes that lives within the Malheur National Forest. It was found to span 8.9 square kilometres (2,200 acres). Its total mass has been estimated to be between 8,500 and 10,500 tons, and its age at somewhere between 2,000 and 8,500 years. The physical terrain one encounters today
6156-520: The timber contract, the Hines Company built the 52-mile (84 km) Oregon and Northwestern Railroad between Burns and Seneca. Edward Hines, the company owner, built a lumber mill and company town , incorporated as the City of Hines in 1930. Timber and logging remained important to the local economy until the 1990s, when the area's last lumber mill closed for lack of timber. Cattle ranching in
6237-474: The tribe own more than 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) of land elsewhere in the county. In 1991, the tribe had about 350 members, and about 200 lived on the reservation. After the arrival of Euro-American settlers in the 19th century, Burns was established in the 1880s. It was formally incorporated after Harney County's creation in 1889 through the splitting of Grant County into two counties. Early settler, merchant, and county commissioner George McGowan named
6318-485: The water lines, sewers, and streets of Burns. The police department includes a chief of police, an office assistant, and three full-time officers who work for Hines as well as Burns. City officers and employees include a city manager, city clerk, municipal judge doubling as the utilities clerk, and an office assistant. A tribal council governs the Burns Paiute Tribe, immediately northwest of Burns. The tribe has its own police, court, and health and other services, including
6399-475: The world, supplying a great volume of wool to, among others, the world-renowned Pendleton Wool Works in Pendleton . Cattle ranchers and sheep ranchers were often at odds and physical confrontations were not uncommon. By the 1920 and 1930s, however, cattle ranching became—and continues to be—the dominant sector of the agricultural industry. Crop farming, dairy production and orchards operated on small scales during
6480-584: Was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km ). There were 4,004 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 95.69% White , 0.10% Black or African American , 1.60% Native American , 0.19% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.68% from other races , and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.5% were of English , 17.1% German , 14.3% American and 9.0% Irish ancestry. There were 3,246 households, out of which 30.10% had children under
6561-595: Was the last time a Democratic nominee won over 1,000 votes in the county. In the 2020 election, the county had shifted back to the Republican candidate Donald Trump , who received 77.28% of the votes, compared to Joe Biden 's share of 20.17%. The remaining 2.55% of voters chose either a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate . [REDACTED] With the discovery of gold near Canyon City in June 1862, and near Granite in July 1862, gold miners streamed into
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