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LIKE A LOCAL
MORE MUSEUMS
Open the door to any one of Grant County’s museums, and you’ll find a portal to a
magnificent past, with glimpses of the lives of hard rock miners, cowboys, rodeo riders, Chinese
medicine men and the hardy pioneer families who settled this beautiful and challenging land.
Grant County Genealogical Society
The Grant County Genealogical Society has
a research center in the old parsonage
building behind the Historic Advent Church
on West Main Street. Information available
at the Research Center includes cemetery
books, obituaries, marriages, births, old
atlases and local family histories. There are
also reference materials, how-to-books,
resources from Oregon counties and other
states, and some photos. Staff is available to
assist with research and answer questions.
281 W Main, John Day
541-575-2757
or 541-932-4718
gcgsociety94@yahoo.com
OPEN:
1 - 4 p.m. Thursday-Friday and
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Other times by appointment.
Long Creek Historical Society
The Long Creek Historical Society is a
nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation, striving to
relocate the fort built by settlers during the
Bannock Indian War of 1878, and build a
permanent interpretive site and museum. All
are welcome to the Long Creek Historical
Society's meeting, the Fourth Friday of every
month at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
KATHY SMITH
Museum director, Sumpter Valley Railway
Depot/DeWitt Museum, Prairie City
When it comes to enthusiasm and knowledge of
local history, Kathy Smith ranks higher than most.
In addition to her duties at the DeWitt Museum in
Prairie City, she has worked for many years with The
Friends of Kam Wah Chung and Company Museum in
John Day.
A resident of Grant County for 24 years, her love of
Eastern Oregon dates back further to a trip here when
she was just 9 years old.
“I knew then that I wanted to live here. I have lived
throughout many small towns in the past, but never
any so friendly as Prairie City and John Day. I truly feel
at home here.”
What makes the Railway Depot and DeWitt
Museum so special?
“It was the only two-story railway depot on the
Sumpter Valley line that started from Baker City and
ended in Prairie City in 1933. The Depot is located on
the original spot, and is now part of the SVRY-RV Park.
“The DeWitt collection is extensive and, I feel,
displayed in a very unique way. The second story
contains the items to display the living quarters for the
station agent and family.
“Kind of makes you want to move in and enjoy the
late 1800s and early 1900s lifestyle.”
Recent upgrades include wifi for campers at the
RV Park, and VISA capabilities at the museum gift store.
“So even though we are all about history, we have
joined the 21st century.”
What’s life like in a small town like Prairie City?
“Prairie City, though a small town, hosts several
large events every year such as the Fourth of July pa-
rade and fireworks, Kruzers Show N Shine car show in
August, and Christmas on the Prairie in November.”
And, of course, visitors can always check out the
museum, which is open from mid-May through mid-
October.
“We have enough to see and enjoy in Grant
County that could keep you busy for weeks.”
Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum
The Ranch and Rodeo Museum highlights
local cowboys, past and present. The
museum offers a collection of photos, tools,
saddles and much more, showcasing the
times of our cowboys and ranching history.
The museum works to preserve the history
of the cowboy.
Long Creek, Oregon
541-421-3621
241 E Main, John Day
541-820-3624
or 541-575-0278
OPEN:
May 1 - September 30,
Thursday - Saturday,
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
and by appointment.
ADMISSION:
$3, children under 12 are free
DeWitt Museum
The goal of the Depot Museum is to house
Oregon's most significant collection of
narrow gauge railroad artifacts and historic
documents. Artifacts in the depot's current
collection include many photographs of
life along the rail line, visual depictions of
some of the spectacular wrecks on this
steep and dangerous section of the rail-
road, various lanterns, lights, and physical
artifacts collected along the line itself.
Grant County Historical Museum
The museum exhibits include a focus on the
lives of the pioneers who first came to the
area, the Joaquin Miller Cabin and the jail
from the town of Greenhorn. There are gold
mining artifacts, Chinese artifacts, three large
rock collections and much, much more.
Beyond the old relics, there are extensive
files of old newspaper clippings, letters,
paper items and over 5,000 old
photographs.
425 S Main, Prairie City
541-820-3330
or 541-820-3605
dewittmuseum@ortelco.net
OPEN:
Mid May - Mid October,
Wednesday - Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ADMISSION:
$3, children under 12 are free
101 S Canyon Blvd.,
Canyon City
541-575-0362
OPEN:
May 1 - September 30,
Monday - Saturday,
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
ADMISSION:
Ages 18-62 $4; ages 62+ $3,
ages 7-17 $2, 7 & under free.