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Klamath County, OR
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 Established:
Oct. 17, 1882
Population: 64,600 (2003)
Elev. at Klamath Falls: 4,105'
Area: 6,135 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 29.8°, July 68.0°
Assessed Value: $3,681,892,959
Real Market Value: $5,575,104,787
Annual Precipitation: 14.31"
Economy: Forest products, agriculture, tourism and recreation.
Incorporated Cities: Bonanza | Chiloquin | Klamath Falls | Malin
| Merrill
Points of Interest: Crater Lake National Park, Collier Memorial
State Park and Logging Museum, Klamath Lake (largest lake in
Oregon), seven National Wildlife Refuges, Oregon Institute of
Technology (OIT), Klamath County Museum, Favell Museum of
Western Art, Ross Ragland Performing Arts Theatre.
General Information: The Klamath or “Clamitte” tribe of Indians,
for which Klamath County was named, has had a presence for
10,000 years. White settlement began in 1846 along the Applegate
Immigrant Trail, which precipitated clashes between the two
cultures and led to the Modoc Indian War of 1872. The Oregon
Legislature created Klamath County by dividing Lake County in
1882. Linkville was named county seat and its name was changed
to Klamath Falls in 1893.
Klamath County’s present-day position as a great lumber,
agriculture and distribution center was assured in the early
1900s with the coming of the railroad and the start of one of
the most successful of all federal reclamation projects—the
Klamath Project, which drained much of the 128 square mile Lower
Klamath Lake to provide 188,000 acres of irrigable land.
Natural geothermal hot wells provide heat for many homes,
businesses and the OIT campus. The full potential of this energy
resource continues to be studied. Klamath is recognized for its
scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, abundant waterfowl and
diverse landscape.
County Officials: Commissioners—Bill Brown (R) 2008, John Elliot
(R) 2007, Al Switzer (R) 2008; Dist. Atty. Edwin I. Caleb (NP)
2007; Assess. Reg LeQuieu (R) 2007; Clerk Linda Smith (NP) 2007;
Justice of the Peace Karen Oakes; Sheriff Tim Evinger (NP) 2008;
Surv. Mike Markus; Treas. Michael R. Long (R) 2007. |
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County History |
Klamath County was established on October 17, 1882. It was
created from the western part of Lake County and named after a
tribe of Indians which white travelers called the Klamath, also
spelled Clammite.
Klamath County is situated in south central Oregon. The county
is bounded on the south by California, on the east by Lake
County, on the north by Deschutes County, and on the west by
Jackson and Douglas Counties. The county, Oregon's fourth
largest, has 6,135 square miles.
When the Legislative Assembly created Klamath County in 1882, it
designated Linkville as the county seat, although it gave the
voters the chance to select another site at the 1884 general
election. Linkville was renamed Klamath Falls in 1893.
In 1888 the county acquired its first courthouse for $3,500.
Previously a school or rented commercial premises housed county
offices. By 1912 the need for a new courthouse was pressing.
However, for the next thirteen years a dispute raged over its
location and which of the two courthouses being built would be
accepted. The first courthouse, known as the Hot Springs
Courthouse, was designed along Grecian architectural lines, but,
due to law suits and recall elections only the exterior was
finished. When construction stopped, $112,000 had been spent,
with an additional $60,000 needed to complete the project. It
was torn down in 1927 to make way for the Klamath Union High
School. In 1918 construction began on another courthouse, known
as the Main Street Courthouse which was built next to the
existing one. In spite of injunctions to halt construction, the
work was completed within a year, but the building was not fully
occupied until 1923, when all legal questions were settled. The
structure cost about $122,000. Earthquakes in 1993 severely
damaged the building, and county offices were relocated to
temporary quarters. Construction of a new courthouse and
administrative center began in 1997.
The government of Klamath County consisted originally of a
county judge, two county commissioners, clerk, treasurer,
coroner, surveyor, and sheriff. The judge's position was
abolished in 1965, and the number of county commissioners
increased from two to three.
The 1890 census cited a population of 2,444. Since then the
county has experienced steady growth. The 2000 population of
63,775 represented a 10.52% increase from 1990.
Historically, Klamath County's economy has been based on timber
and agriculture. Three-fourths of the county is forested;
however, over half of it is publicly owned. The large stands of
timber have resulted in the development of wood products
industries in the county. In spite of the altitude, short
growing season, low rainfall, and cold winters, agricultural
plays an important role in the local economy. Excellent soil,
adequate water for irrigation, extensive sunshine, and the
introduction of cash crops such as potatoes and feed barley
contribute to the agricultural industry. There is the potential
to develop geothermal energy through the exploitation of the
geothermal water found in many parts of the county. The many
lakes and mountains, including Crater Lake National Park,
attract tourists and recreational visitors to the county.
The Klamath Indian Tribe and Reservation add to the county's
history. The Klamath Reservation was established in 1864 by
treaty and covered about fifty square miles of land east and
northeast of Klamath Falls. The federal government's policy of
termination and assimilation resulted in the tribe being
abolished in 1961. However, in 1975 a fully functioning tribal
government was reestablished, and the Klamath Tribe was
recognized by the federal government in 1986. The 2000 census
showed the tribe to consist of 2,632 members. |
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