8 Charming Old Railroad Towns In Oregon
Oregon runs from the sagebrush high desert of Central Oregon to the rugged Pacific shoreline, and the railroad helped stitch all of it together. As tracks pushed into the state in the late 1800s, remote stops turned into real towns built around depots, rail yards, and junctions. You can see that legacy up close in Pendleton, where the Heritage Station Museum preserves a former railroad ticket office and a 1942 caboose. You’ll find it again in Cottage Grove, where a fully covered railroad bridge built in 1925 leads into a six-bridge route that winds out toward Dorena Reservoir. These eight stops prove Oregon’s rail era is still part of the trip.
Klamath Falls
Situated in South Central Oregon, near the California border, is Klamath Falls. Known as the "City of Sunshine," the town boasts around 300 days of sunshine annually. That gives guests and locals plenty of time to take in the town. Visitors to the town can still see the railroad in action, including the BNSF Railway and Union Pacific. History buffs can visit the Klamath County Museum to learn about the town and its surrounding areas. It is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday.
Sticking to the outdoors, Klamath Falls is the gateway to Crater Lake National Park. This outdoor paradise offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities. Guests can also view the town in a unique way. Crater Lake Zipline offers views of the national forest, Upper Klamath Lake, and Mt. McLoughlin. Visitors can also take in a show at The Ross Ragland Theater. This renovated 1940s movie theater has become an arts center that hosts touring performers and local productions. Depending on when you go, there are productions of Cinderella, A Taste of Ireland, and The Swan Lake.
Pendleton
With a population of around 17,000, Pendleton, Oregon, is a perfect example of an old railroad town, definitely worth a visit. Head to the Heritage Station Museum and learn about the history of Pendleton. They have many exhibits to choose from, but the Depot Gallery offers a blast into everyone's past. Visitors can learn about the iconic Oregon Trail and how it ran through the town. Guests can also view the former railroad ticket office, a 1942 caboose, and an old schoolhouse while at the museum.
Every year in September, the town hosts the World-Famous Pendleton Round-Up. What originated in 1910 as a frontier exhibition showcasing cowboy racing, bronco busting, and more has turned into a traditional event that draws over 50,000 people. The town also has a tour that takes you underground to learn about Pendleton's colorful past. Known as the "Entertainment Capital of East Oregon", Pendleton Underground Tours shows guests exactly how the town got that title. Be transported underground to the Shamrock Card Room, Hop Sing's Chinese Laundry, the Empire Ice Cream Parlor, and the Empire Meat Market, to name a few stops. This tour is open year-round, and guests must call to schedule a tour and make a reservation.
Roseburg
Surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, and mountains, Roseburg is located in southern Oregon, in Douglas County. What once started as a railroad town has blossomed over the years, but still honors its roots. Guests and locals can catch a glimpse of the O&C Railroad at the Douglas County Museum. Visitors can see an authentic railroad station, a railcar, and antique images of trains and railroad life. Another spot to see into the town's railroad past is the McMenamins Roseburg Station. The classic Southern Pacific Depot was renovated, restored, and turned into McMenamins Pub & Brewery. Original features like the red roof and marble molding from the depot are still there.
Every February, the town hosts a Geocaching event. Locals and guests are encouraged to basically go on a scavenger hunt around town, looking for different caches. Explore and learn about Roseburg as you find 5 traditional geocaches and 15 virtual ones. The first 200 people to find them all receive a limited edition Discover Roseburg / Land of Umpqua Geocoins. If you can't make it during the event, it can still be completed on your own time.
Redmond
Railroads were crucial to the growth of Redmond in the early 1900s. It served as a hub for agriculture and commerce. Not to mention access to larger regions nearby. And even though the railroad has long since left the station, remnants of it stuck around to tell its story. The old Redmond Train Depot was repurposed into the Redmond Coffee Company and also exhibits the town's past from the Greater Redmond Historical Society. Being surrounded by both desert landscapes and snowy peaks, this Central Oregon town has a lot more to offer than trains.
One of the best ways to take in all the views is by hot air balloon. Passengers will see Smith Rock State Park, Mt. Jefferson, and the Three Sisters, to name a few places. You could also see lava buttes, as well as Crooked River Canyons. If staying on the ground suits you better, the town offers a self-guided Heritage Walking Tour. Experience 36 different landmarks, most of which have been preserved to showcase their original charm.
Grants Pass
By becoming a railhead in 1884, Grants Pass owes its growth to the railroad. What started as a trading center and hub for various tradesmen has grown into the beautiful town it is today. Throughout the years, Grants Pass traded one hub for another. Now, the town has become a central hub connecting various valleys and communities around Southern Oregon. Staying in town, Grants Pass has many things to do and see. The Rogue Theatre is a historic building dating back to the Great Depression. What started as a movie theater transformed into a performing arts center. Here, locals and well-known musicians alike can perform.
The heart and soul of Grants Pass is its downtown. The whole area was designated a National Historic District due to the beautiful historic buildings. The town also has historic homes on the National Register of Historic Places. Grants Pass offers two different tours throughout town to showcase these areas. Stepping away from buildings and towards animals, the town also has a Rehabilitation & Education Center named Wildlife Images. Guests can tour and learn about animals in the area, like grizzly bears, wolves, and bald eagles, as they are being rehabilitated and reintroduced to the wild.
Albany
Just 70 miles south of Portland, sits the beautiful Albany, Oregon. An old railroad town turned into the perfect getaway spot for both locals and visitors alike. Albany has many different hidden gems that make it well worth visiting. The last Saturday in July and the second Sunday in December, historic home tours are offered. These Queen Anne Victorian homes, known as the Painted Ladies, offer self-guided tours: the Summer Historic Interior Tour and the Christmas Parlour Tour. Learn about different architectural styles and stages of restoration inside each home. In March, visitors can get tickets to the 48th Annual Winterail. Held in Albany, this event features digital presentations from top rail photographers, plus quality railroad collectibles.
A local treasure that is truly unique is the Albany Historic Carousel and Museum. As of 2022, the carousel housed 41 different animals, with the goal of eventually having 52. What makes this truly amazing is that each animal is hand-carved and painted by local volunteers. The animals range from classic horses to giraffes, unicorns, bears, and dragons, to name a few. The museum shows off historic decorations and carousel animals from 1895.
Prineville
Prineville is not a town to be messed with. When the Oregon Trunk Railroad bypassed the town in 1916, causing business to decline, Prineville decided to create its own shortline railroad. That line is now the oldest continuously operated shortline in the United States. Prineville marches to the beat of its own drum, and visitors can see that in many different forms. Guests here have the opportunity to turn into amateur geologists and go Rockhounding. Grab a map for $10.00, learn the history of Rockhounding, and go collect some rocks and mineral specimens. If you're visiting around the 3rd week in June, head to the Prineville Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Show. Learn from some Rockhounding pros, or buy some beautiful gems from a booth.
Enjoy a starry night with one of Prineville's Dark Sky Experiences. The town is home to the first International Dark Sky Park in Oregon. Prineville Reservoir State Park has dark nights void of any light pollution. Enjoy countless stars and the wonder of space. During the day, walk through an old bank building from 1911, now the Bowman Museum. Walk by the marble countertops, old metal teller cage, and even the bank vault. Surrounding this area are exhibits featuring local notables and historic features from the past.
Cottage Grove
Known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the West," Cottage Grove takes its railroad history very seriously. The town has the only remaining fully covered railroad bridge West of the Mississippi. Built in 1925, this bridge once supported trains carrying logs from the Lorane Valley to the J.H. Chambers Mill. Now, it has been restructured and preserved so that visitors can walk through a living piece of railroad history. Cottage Grove has six different covered bridges throughout town. Grab a bike or hop in a car and go around town to view them all. The covered bridge route starts in historic downtown and leads out and around Dorena Reservoir.
Cottage Grove's Historic District has architecture that was built over 100 years ago, with lumber and brick almost all locally sourced. Take in a mural of Opal Whiteley, a teacher and youth leader in 1915 in Cottage Grove. Some thought her a mystic due to her blending of science and faith. Within the historic district is also the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum. The museum houses mining tools, photographs, and ore samples. In July, the town hosts the Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days. Through historic demonstrations, live music, and different vendors, the festival honors the gold mining days of Cottage Grove.
Following the Oregon Rails
Old railroad towns in Oregon continue to thrive, but still hold on to a piece of their past. The memory of their railroad heritage will last forever. Thanks to places like the Covered railroad bridge in Cottage Grove and Prineville, which created its own shortline that's still in use today. And the Heritage Station Museum in Pendleton is showcasing its 1942 caboose. All these towns remember their history and get to thrive because of it.
