Shaniko: Oregon ghost town

[ArfieBoy]

Shaniko once billed itself as the "wool shipping capital of the world." It boomed after 1900 when a railroad branch line was built to it to capitalize on the large sheep, wool, and wheat crops produced in central Oregon. Shaniko was the terminus of the branch line. It boomed until 1910 when a competing rail line was built from The Dalles, Oregon on the Columbia River to Bend, Oregon in the central interior. Shortly after that a fire destroyed the central business district of Shaniko and was never rebuilt. Shaniko currently has a population of between 30 and 35.

 

[BOBBY PIN KING]

thats pretty cool.. too bad im on the opposite end of the country

 

[ArfieBoy]

Thanks, Bobby Pin. I'm sure there are some places like it somewhere in your area.

 

[surf]

Hello Arfie,

Can it really be a ghost town, with an operating US Post Office?

 

[ArfieBoy]

Hi surf! Sure it can... if it is a mere ghost, or shadow, of what it was in its glory days! There are as many definitions of ghost towns as there are ghost town writers. I, for one, believe what I said above! Having a Post Office or not, does not determine if a town is a ghost town to me.