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Wheeler County, OR
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 Established:
Feb. 17,1899
Population: 1,550 (2003)
Elev. at Fossil: 2,654'
Area: 1,713 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 35°, July 66°
Assessed Value: $81,663,238
Real Market Value: $329,389,423
Annual Precipitation: 14.66"
Economy: Livestock and tourism.
Incorporated Cities: Fossil | Mitchell | Spray
Points of Interest: Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, John
Day River.
General Information: Wheeler County was formed by the Oregon
Legislature in 1899 from parts of Grant, Gilliam and Crook
counties and was named for Henry H. Wheeler, who operated the
first mail stage line from The Dalles to Canyon City. The new
county consisted of 1,656 square miles with an estimated 46
townships, a population of 1,600 and taxable property worth one
million dollars.
Wheeler County is as rugged and uneven as any Oregon county,
with the terrain varying widely from sagebrush, juniper and rim
rock to stands of pine and fir. Portions of two national forests
lie within its boundaries with forest lands covering nearly
one-third of the county. The area is probably best known as one
of the most outstanding depositories of prehistoric fossils on
the North American continent.
County Officials: Commissioners—H. John Asher (D) 2008, Ken Bond
(D) 2006, Judge Jeanne E. Burch (R) 2006; Dist. Atty. Thomas W.
Cutsforth (NP) 2006; Assess. Donald R. Cossitt (NP) 2006; Clerk
Barbara Sitton (NP) 2008; Justices of the Peace Linda Keys (NP)
2010, Theressa Ward (NP) 2008; Sheriff David Rouse (NP) 2008;
Surv. Robert Bagett (NP) 2008; Treas. Nancy L. Misener (NP)
2006. |
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County History |
Wheeler County was established on February 17, 1899.
Formed from parts of Grant, Gilliam, and Crook Counties, there
have been no boundary changes since its creation. The county
shares boundaries with Gilliam and Morrow Counties to the north,
Wasco and Jefferson to the west, Crook to the south, and Grant
to the east. The county was named for Henry Wheeler, who
operated the first stage line through the county. The area of
the county is 1,713 square miles.
The county seat is located in the city of Fossil. The town's
name was derived from the first postmaster's discovery of fossil
remains on his land in 1876. Fossil was designated the temporary
county seat when the county was created. In 1900 there was an
election to determine the permanent county seat. Spray,
Twickenham and Fossil were the aspirants with Fossil winning the
election. The current courthouse was built in 1902.
Wheeler County's government consists of a county court made up
of a county judge and two commissioners. The county judge
retains judicial authority for probate and juvenile proceedings.
Other county officers include assessor, district attorney,
justices of the peace, clerk, sheriff-emergency services
director, treasurer, and surveyor.
Wheeler County's 2000 population was 1547. This represented an
increase of 10.82% over 1990. Still, it is considerably lower
than the peak population of 3,313 occurring in 1950.
The terrain of the county varies widely from sagebrush, juniper,
and rim rock to thick stands of pine and fir. Portions of two
national forests lie within its boundaries with forest lands
covering nearly one third of the county. The area is known as an
outstanding depository of prehistoric fossils. Principal
industries are agriculture, livestock, and lumber. |
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