Northwest Journeys

Oregon has Ghost Towns? Sure does!! Shaniko is Oregon’s best known Ghost Town. Once the “Wool Capitol of the World” and soon to be Oregon’s very own “Historic Town Museum”, the entire town, due to a series of large fires that destroyed many of the buildings.  Shaniko, around in the 1880s, boomed in 1910 – 1911. Located North of Bend about 70 miles, and South of Biggs 57, Shaniko was the Wool Shipping Center of the World in 1880’s. It was titled the “Wool capitol of the World” in 1910. In 1910, as well, the population consisted of 600 residents, five saloons, 3 hotels, and other buildings. However, due to a series of large fires much of the city was burned leaving a remnant total of 30 people in 2003. And what was left after the fire? Shaniko jail cells, a water tower once connected to a large reservoir with steam operated pumping, and a school that opened in 1901 and closed in 1946. The school was restored in the 1990’s and is now a community hall for meetings, dances, reunions, and receptions.