Haines, OR

 

The population of Haines Oregon was 416 in the 2010 census. These few photos here are most of the town. Above is the store. Inside it has been nicely renovated and shows off the old hardwood flooring with all the modern amenities you expect from a general store/grocery.

Just down the street is the steak house. I'm pretty sure I don't want to eat there. I would, however, liked to have been there when the covered wagon was hoisted up in the air.

One of the oldest structures in the town is Chandler Cabin located across the street from the store and next to the railroad tracks.

Across the tracks we find the Baker Mill and Grain Company office framed by the Elkhorn mountains. Clearly grain grown here is a significant addition to the community. In times past, this was not always the case. It was, and still largely is, cattle. This little town was a main junction between cattle drives and the railroad. At the peak, somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 head were loaded on trains for the last ride to the Chicago butchers and distribution to the rest fo the country. Hard to believe that this small place was such a key location.

Once out of town, however, it is easy to understand why people love to live here. While I'm sure it is cold and windy here in the winter, the spring is glorious. Being able to enjoy the outdoors in such a place exerts a pull on all of us, even us mostly city folk.