Baker County Friends of the Library

Historic Baker City, Oregon Baker County Friends of the Library

To reach points of commerce for gold assaying or buying supplies, miners from the gold mining boom town of Auburn followed the Oregon Trail east or north. Where the pioneers entered Baker Valley from the gold fields, Baker City sprang up as the county seat of Baker County, named after Colonel Edward Baker, a senator from Oregon. For many years following its birth in 1864, Baker City was the largest town between Salt Lake City and Portland. It was a bustling depot for both stagecoach and rail travel. Gathered in this volume are over 200 photographs focusing on the historic past of Baker City, as well as the restored Victorian charm of its Main Street. From Baker City's colorful early days, images capture the grand hotel, opera house, lively saloon district, Chinese settlement, and people and industries of the area. This photographic history brings to life the past and present places and events of Baker City and Baker County.