Stop 34: Baker City, OR (Oregon Trail Interpretive Center)

Our main reason for stopping in Baker City was the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. We had no idea that Baker City itself would be as interesting as it is.

The road here from Pendleton followed the route of the Oregon Trail. Rest stops were more frequent than usual and each had an Oregon Trail information center that included, among other things, diary entries that described the experience at that particular location. They were pretty interesting.

At the Interpretive Center, we thought that this shepherd looked like Jesus (must be the Mormon Jesus since this is America)

Circle of wagons outside the Center.

A view of the ruts that mark the Oregon Trail. They are the horizontal line just beyond the covered wagon.

We found a place where we could get a better look at the old ruts that mark the Oregon Trail.

After the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, we did a little marketing and, after dropping our groceries off at the trailer, headed for Baker City's historic downtown district.

Baker City apparently came into existence during the gold rush of the 1860's and it was the "cultural oasis" of the region with a population that surpassed both Boise and Spokane.

We stopped for lunch at the Geiser Grand Hotel (1889). They refused to let us go into most of the lobby (closed until 5pm), but the route from the restaurant to the bathroom led right through the area.

The Armstrong nugget. This 80.4 oz. gold nugget was found locally and is on display in one of the local banks.

The Powder River passes through downtown. We saw quite a few kids tubing on the river.

We did the walking tour of the historic district. Most of the historic building were obscured by trees. Here are a couple of buildings that weren't.

Tomorrow, we are off for Burns, OR.

-JC-