Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 1961)
Irrigon One of Oldest Towns By Columbia r " " " " " nlcfi I J. .All. I In i,( M'rruw i a Mtmll. aim town thl liirlh'l IMHlllMl County. It N ni ! lovui l.nii the Co- lumLi Kivi-r. nl In the early -ry uy lar. It w ralUvl Sickm until 1W5, hin lh nm haiut lrrU'n tv lining the frt four lrtt.ni of "Irrigation" nd the lat Our Hlr .f "Oregon." Some of the main lrrl?tlon .r'llnm were dirued. plan- t Orepon Trail" t on the bank ut the Cluml.ta, that wuM r ltle the tnih.-ro. irri.x.n nri'.- Imsine of all I" t'1 eilhltNh h-re and come a part of our growing town. ( k Ihmal'l Alm In our mayor, and lL.n.1,1 lllntM-heid U the K hKl . urlntendent. B-sl.!e the city y, , cum II. we have a Chamber f..-- ' - 1 9 ft . W ' ' i b- , f , . n t - ' . . . , , iar-- - -- Commerce. Grange, Home t.x tension. I. T. A., and three chun-he Anaembly of (Un, nel and nettled there. Si-ttlcri moved In when given water right, and rgreK began. A ferry was put Into operation be tween our Oregon shore and Washington In 1 It was (Iterated by Charley Johnson. Wooden aldewalka Nirdered the several business houses, one be ing the business district which was run by Mr. Walpole. The general store, which also housed the post office, was owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Wads worth for many years. The first postmaster was Addison Ben nett. He started a newspaper called the "Irrlcon Irrigator." Approximately 35 years ag. Irrigon organized the "Harmony rinh" f.r the nurpo.so of pro- m,finT iho ('cneral welfare of' the town. We remember the signs on each side of Irrigon that read, "Live in Irrigon earliest crops In Oregon." Famous for Its wat ermelons, Irrigon was once noted ns the melon capital of the na tion. Irrigon has gone through many disasters, such as businesses be ing destroyed by fire, but has never given up or become en tirely discouraged. Now, an un surpassed future and excellent opportunities lie before us. We will enjoy being situated on a lake frontage when the John Day dam Is completed and the water level rises. Even now, boating, water ski ing, and fishing are favorite sports available on the banks of the Columbia, where we have erected a nice boat landing. Another vast improvement to our town will be the new state highway, presently under con struction, which is scheduled to go through Irrigon. This will of fer opportunity for more tourist businesses here. The main bus lines go through Irrigon, and it is only 14 miles to the Union Pacific station at Ilinkle, so transportation facilities are ex cellent. We are only three hours from Portland, and only two hours from the Tolgate Mountain re sort and mountain lakes; hence, we have immediate access to the advantages of larger towns with out being a part of the hustle and bustle that usually accom panies these bigger places. Morrow county is favored with ideal weather. Also, our taxes are comparably low, and we have plenty of room to build and expand. We would like to see someone establish a tourist at traction similar to the Knott's Berry Farm In California. Since we are located near the "Old Baptist and Seventh-day Advent 1st. We have many 4 II clubs, and a Boy Scout troop. Irrigon Is a very busy little community, and civic minded. Our aim Is to promote the growth and welfare of our town, county, and state to a higher level, and as we all work and cooperate together, we will meet the challenge that Is before us. ... . - a ,. . -. k M nili IN thlt AIM 0fU1 HOflflH A. C HOUCHTOH School at irrigon " " " . ".T , . od.m MThoollna lor chUdr.n tb.ro. G T rho,0 4- 2 , . . w t. 'WORLD'S FINEST Stoolhoad FUhlng doclaroa thU aign at th. odgo of Boardman. Tho Columbia mm ALWAYS A FRIENDLY WELCOME AT BUILDERS' SUPPLY N I0NE Stock Salt And Feeds Builders Hardware Cooking Utensils MELVIN MELENA Ph. 8-7242 Lumber Millwork Tools Paints River li being developed there aa fishing ond other water aporta. - -i -' -.J ';:,rN'WA;; - - 1 ' --M -nl- "" -.- n.T. Photui . . amr'W ,.v--"- --A r ' "' T I PRESENTING a neat and trim eppearanco ia this concrete block building, tho Iono city halL (G-T photo You Arc Always WELCOME at HUMPHREYS REXALL DRUG THE PRESCRIPTION STORE SERVICE IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT We feature the finest gift selections In Morrow County HALLMARK CARDS WHITMAN AND BROWN 4 HALEY CANDY DuBARRY AND MAX FACTOR COSMETICS BELL & HOWELL. EASTMAN KODAK, ARGUS AND CANON PHOTO SUPPLIES. 0. M. FRANKLIN LIVESTOCK SUPPUES WE GIVE SSH GREEN STAMPS d ',"','n Vi Friendly Service J 1 Friendlv Service Latest Hair Stylings Competent Operators Modern Equipment TWO LOCATIONS -Heppner-Call 6-9603 lone-Call 8-7234 124 W. Church Mason's Store Lois' Beauty Shop 1 . Hcs I MORROW COUMTY Has EVERYTHING To Offer In RiCREAT And Fine Living The Bank of Eastern Oregon VERYTHIN . , ( rr ION . W 1 G To Offer S G In BANKING ) WE'LL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU COME IN DANK OF DZasfern Oregon HEAD OFFICE ARLINGTON BRANCHES AT HEPPNER AND IONE Your Friendly Home-owned Bank Member FDIC I 1
