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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 2, 2025)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 2, 2025 A community of sheep ranchers and wheat farmers emerges Ione, Oregon, fell on hard times during the Great Depression. COURTESY PHOTO: Bowman Museum -Continued from PAGE ONE ther was working for him at attracted early settlers to raise sheep and cattle. John Jordan arrived to settle along Willow Creek in 1859. He built a log cabin not far from present-day Ione. Columbus Rhea built the first home on what is now known as Rhea Creek in 1864. A number of Irish settlers came to the region. Edward Cluff was among the first to settle at the present site of Ione in 1872. Nearby, Elisha Sper- ry acquired land that had earlier been homesteaded by George Emerick. Sperry recognized the need for a trading center and decided to establish one on his prop- erty. He hired a surveyor and prepared a town plat of four blocks. Sperry named the town Ione for a young girl, Ione Arthur, whose fa- the time. Sperry persuaded Aaron Royce to establish a merchandise store in the newly platted site. A post office was es- tablished with the name of Ione on May 26, 1884, with Royce being the first postmaster. The office was located inside his store. Other businesses soon fol- lowed, including a saloon and a blacksmith shop. These did not last long. About 1885, Robert Wills homesteaded near the Sper- ry plots and established his own plats. Soon, farmers were attracted to the area to grow winter wheat, barley and other grains. Most of the harvested grains had to be hauled over rugged roads to Arlington for shipment. A branch line of the Oregon Railroad and Nav- Print & Mailing Services *Design *Print Sykes Publishing *Mail 541-676-9228 igation Company was completed from Heppner Junction up Willow Creek through Ione and on to Hep- pner in 1888. The railroad opened up rapid develop- ment and wheat became a major cash crop and Ione prospered. The small com- munity expanded with more homes and businesses. It was incorporated in 1903. It became a bustling community. Ordinances were passed that banned sheep, goats and hogs from the town. A bank was es- tablished, but the onset of the Great Depression led to failure of the bank and the community fell on hard times like the rest of the nation. Today, it remains an active community and the 2020 census listed a population of 337. LaRue honored as grand marshal -Continued from PAGE ONE says. “This sewer is a huge, several committees,” she she says. She hasn’t limited her involvement to the Inde- pendence Day celebration, though. She carried her love of horses—along with three family horses—to Ione and led a horse 4-H club at one time. She says her former members are grandparents themselves now. She served nearly 20 years on the county budget committee, this year being the first she hasn’t been on the committee in a long time. She also has insight into current county events, having served on the Pi- oneer Memorial Hospital Board and the Ione City Council—with five stints as Ione Mayor. When she first joined the city council, she was the only female on the board. She also joined at a time when Ione was already attempting to resolve its sewer problems. While the city council managed to get space for the Ione school to have a septic tank and drain field, they never gained much traction getting city sewer. “We’d only get so far because of high cost, or it wasn’t in the right spot,” she says. She’s happy about the current progress and hopes it will open space for more building in the city. “In order for us to grow and be healthy, we need to use all of our property,” she huge thing for Ione.” Now, she’s happy to step back and let someone else take the reins. “I kind of like being able to go and just give my opinion,” she says. She also remembers serving with the late Larry Mills on several boards, in- cluding the hospital board. “We had some of the same thought processes… which maybe wasn’t always good,” she jokes. The hospital board had issues of its own back then, though she says it was not quite as contentious as the recent health district uproar. The hospital was in danger of shutting down due to lack of money, and North End communities weren’t very supportive of something they didn’t see as benefiting them. That was when the county-wide taxing district was formed. The new taxes weren’t very popular, espe- cially in Boardman. “It was a really difficult time,” says LaRue. “That one was very challenging, but I felt good about the outcome, and so did Larry.” LaRue says she is grad- ually weeding out boards and committees with heavy commitment, but she still likes to stay involved. “I still have things to do,” she says. “I need to be active mentally and phys- ically. “I stay very active on $220,000 List your house Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 Reduced Price For Sale! Approx 5 Acres with Sykes Real 177 N Main St. Heppner, Or 97836 O: 541-676-9228 E:sykeschris@hotmail.com For Sale! Discover a timeless treasure with this beautifully preserved Craftsman-style home, featuring 1,174 sq ft on the main level and an additional 1,008 sq ft in basement, perfect for storage or extra space to customize. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath gem combines classic charm with modern comforts, including a newer furnace, forced air heat, and a freshly painted exterior. Located in a prime spot near the school and within walking distance to downtown Heppner, this home provides both convenience and a sense of community. Experience small-town living with easy access to downtown. Don’t miss the chance to make this spacious, character-filled home your own! 240 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24652848 DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription 177 N. Main P.O. Box 337 Heppner, OR 97836 Chris@sykesrealestate.net Price Reduction adds. “I try to have my fingers in most of the pies.” With fingers in all those pies, LaRue says she doesn’t’ have time to pur- sue the hobbies she used to have. For instance, she doesn’t find time to quilt or sew, although she used to. “I made my husband a red leisure suit to wear to basketball games,” she remembers. Now, her top prior- ity is her family, which is scattered from Ione to Hermiston and as far away as the Oregon Coast. She makes a point of traveling to visit her grandkids and great-grandchildren often. Sophie, who she says is a good traveler, is her com- panion on her trips. When speaking about Ione’s Fourth of July cele- brations, LaRue says she is impressed by the unspoken cooperation of the commu- nities on the south side of the county. “We honor each other’s special celebrations,” she says. “That’s one of the things I feel so good about. That’s what it should be about.” “I appreciate the hon- or,” she concludes. “I love it here and I love the people. This is home, for sure.” $550,000 Estate and get it sold! Call Today 541-215-2274 $540,000 More than meets the eye! There is plenty of room in this 3,680 sq. ft. 5 bedroom 4 bath home on 5.29 acres located on Dee Cox Rd near Heppner. Has family/game room, office space and a deck for summer barbecuing. Beautiful bamboo floors with an open kitchen and dining area. Top of the line induction cook top convection oven with air frying included. Daylight basement opens out to the backyard, where there is an outbuilding & chicken coop. These small acreage homes are hard to come by, so come and have a look soon. 61476 DEE COX RD Heppner MLS#: 639453591 SOLD! ! D S O L Experience luxury living in this stunning home located in Heppner, Oregon. Built in 2016, this beautiful property boasts luxurious features such as heated bathroom floors, a central vacuum system, a water softener, and central air for ultimate comfort. 480 W Morgan St Heppner MLS#: 24057570 LD! S O Discover this stunning 1,700 sq. ft. ranch-style home with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, perfect for families. Recently updated (2019-2024), it features a bright, open floor plan, paint, water heater, kitchen flooring, countertops, and appliances. MLS#:24589246 605 Pioneer Dr Heppner ! D S O L Charming 1900 Victorian Home in Heppner, Oregon – A Unique Opportunity! Step into history with this 1900 Victorian gem, located in the picturesque town of Heppner, Oregon. 195 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24426505 ! S OLD 9.09 ACRES Secluded mountain property! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to own your own mountain property. 80844 Black Mountain Ln Heppner MLS#:23510132 OLD! S For sale: Prime commercial lot on Main Street, Main St MLS#: 23022056 LD! S O 593-Acres with CRP Income and Grassland. 593-Acres with CRP Income and Grassland. This 593- acre farm offers a unique blend of income potential and rural living. 58952 LIBERTY SCHOOL RD Heppner, OR 97836 MLS#: 24374787 ! O L D S ! S OLD S OLD! 375 W Union Ave, Heppner This classic split level 2 bed, 2 bath home overlooks Heppner with a relaxing back deck and beautiful backyard. 1 car garage leads into the lower game room/office with bathroom. 140 S Gilmore St. This cozy 1950s home, located in a peaceful community, offers a blend of classic charm and modern comforts. 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