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Wallowa County Courthouse

Introduction

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The historic Wallowa County Courthouse has served as the county seat since its construction in 1910. Standing prominently along River Street in the center of the city, the courthouse was built with locally sourced volcanic stone called Bowlby stone, which gives its grey-brown color. While the building wasn't designed in a specific style, it does feature Romanesque and Queen Anne characteristics including, arched and segmental arched windows, patterned shingles, and a tower topped by a steeply pitched hip-roofed cupola. The courthouse was built during a period in which Enterprise was growing rapidly. As such, it represents the confidence the community had for future prosperity in the early 20th century.

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Wallowa County Courthouse was built in 1910 and has served as the seat of county government ever since.

Wallowa County Courthouse was built in 1910 and has served as the seat of county government ever since.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Wallowa County was established in 1887 and Enterprise in 1889. The county's economy was based on the agriculture, cattle ranching and (later) timber industries. The arrival of the railroads in 1909 facilitated the increased growth in these industries, enabling locals to ship their goods to markets. As a result, Enterprise grew more rapidly as more settlers were attracted to the community. County offices were located in rented locations before the 1910 courthouse was built. A new mill established in 1915 also contributed to the town's rapid development during these years. Unfortunately, World War I stopped the city's growth and later the Great Depression hampered further development.

Sources

"Historic Wallowa County Courthouse." Wallowa County. Accessed August 24, 2020. https://co.wallowa.or.us/administration/courthouse/historic-wallowa-county-courthouse.

Hansen, Wendy. "Wallowa County Courthouse." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. July 14, 2000. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/f61448d7-fd4e-4287-b00f-53bb4feb9b4b.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wallowa_Oregon_County_Courthouse.jpg

Additional Information