Umatilla, Oregon: Back to top

Umatilla County traces its creation in 1862 to the regional gold rushes, which spawned the river port of Umatilla City and brought stock raisers to the lush grasslands.

Although Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trail pioneers passed through Umatilla County, it did not bloom until the arrival of the railroad in 1881 and the development of dry land wheat farming.

Water in the form of irrigation has been key to economic diversification and growth, most recently in the Hermiston area, where the desert now yields lush watermelons and other products. Tourism is also increasingly important to Umatilla County where “Let-er-Buck” is heard by Pendleton Round-Up crowds.

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The city of The Dalles, Oregon, is situated in the north-central part of the state on the Columbia River, the nation's second largest river. It is the county seat and the largest community in Wasco County. The Dalles is one of Oregon's most historical cities and was known earlier in its history as the town at the end of the Oregon Trail. Archeological evidence suggests the area may have been inhabited, more or less, continuously for more than 10,000 years. The city was first incorporated by the Oregon Territorial Government in 1857 as “Dalles City” and was made the county seat shortly thereafter. Strategically located on the Columbia River and bordered by the Cascade Mountains to the west, The Dalles provides an ideal distribution or manufacturing setting with available riverside locations, as well as bulk container and international shipping options.

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Beautiful Mt. Hood and the scenic Columbia Gorge lie just 90 minutes to the east. Miles of public beaches and quaint oceanside neighborhoods lie 90 minutes to the west. Visitors to Mt. Hood can enjoy skiing in the winter, or hiking and mountain climbing in the summer. The Columbia Gorge is known the world over as a windsurfing destination. Ocean beaches and coastal mountains provide opportunities for outdoor recreation with family and friends.

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With hundreds of sunny days in the Tri-Cities, there are many opportunities to experience the great outdoors... play a round of golf, stroll through one of the beautiful parks... or take a jet boat tour of The Hanford Reach National Monument and discover a variety of wildlife along nature trails and national wildlife refuges.

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The Hanford Reach is a section of the Columbia River that crosses the Tri-City region. In its path lies one of Washington State’s last bastions of unspoiled wilderness, which provides safe passage for migratory birds, and safe homes for many kinds of wildlife.

The Hanford Reach in the Tri-Cities is the last remaining section of the Columbia River that has not been dammed; the waters run free in its entire length. The unbridled, untouched waters of the Hanford Reach is home to a healthy population of aquatic life that has sustained both humans and animals for thousands of years.

The waters of Hanford Reach carries some of the healthiest populations of trout, carp, bass and other fresh water fish. The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River is also one of the last stretches of river where the pacific salmon can swim freely, without any risk from man made dams and polluted waters.

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