The “Not-Quite Ghost Town” of SHANIKO, OR

 

By

 

Gary B. Speck

 

 

 

Shaniko is located on US 97, in north-central Oregon's high grasslands, 39 miles north of Madras, and 58 miles south of Biggs at an elevation of 3340’.  It was named after August Scherneckau, an early settler who farmed the area shortly after the Civil War.

 

Shaniko replaced a smaller community called Cross Hollows and actually had its beginnings in early 1900 as a railroad terminus to tap into the massive wool market, and take advantage of the extensive sheep raising in the area. A post office opened on Mar 31, 1900, and Shaniko quickly became the number one wool-shipping center in Oregon, claiming the title “Wool Capital of the World.” 

 

Shaniko incorporated on February 9, 1901.  At that time the town had a bank, a couple blacksmith shops, two-story, wooden city hall/fire station/jail, three hotels, two newspapers, a post office, five saloons, school, two stores and many other structures.  Church services were held in the school building.  In the 1910 census, Shaniko claimed a population of 600.

 

A decade later, a new railroad routed through Bend (70 miles to the south) pulled the traffic away from Shaniko, and it slowly faded.  A major fire took out a number of buildings.

 

By 1985 the downtown crossroad was still marked by the old two-story, brick hotel, the town hall, livery stables and a strip of wooden buildings.  A post office, general store and gas station still served the remaining 12 citizens.  Other notable structures include the three-room schoolhouse, which was used from 1901-1946, and a 10,000-gallon water tower (built in 1900).

 

By 2000 the population had increased to 26. The hotel, built in 1900, has recently reopened after being refurbished.  The school was restored in the 1990s and serves as the community center.

 

Shaniko even has an official website at: http://www.shaniko.com/

 

SEE a 1985 era PHOTO of Shaniko HERE.

 

 

This was our GHOST TOWN OF THE MONTH for May 2004.

 

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FIRST POSTED:  May 01, 2004

LAST UPDATED: Mar 20, 2005

 

 

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