LAKEVIEW &
LAKE COUNTY, OREGON
QUICK FACTS
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LAKEVIEW & |
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| Annual Precipitation: 15.8" | County Area: 8359 sq. mile | Annual Days of Sun: 265 | ||
| Average Temp: 15.8" | January: 28.4 | July: 67.0 |
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Lake County Ranks 32nd AMONG OREGON COUNTIES (1999 FIGURES) |
| County: 7400 | Lakeview: 2675 | North Lake: 1560 |
Lakeview area labor force: 2,050 |
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HISTORY |
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| The first white outpost in Lake County was Ft.
Warner, established August 10, 1866. Fort Warner was built in the area
where the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge is now located. The main reason
for establishing the fort was to protect white settlers from the Native
people of the region. Harsh winters at the original Ft. Warner proved
too much and in September of the following year the fort was relocated
to a location on the northeast slope of the Warner Mountains.
Sheep and cattle ranchers first settled the Lake County region in the late 1860’s. Lake County was chartered October 24, 1874. Lake County was carved out of Jackson and Wasco counties and included the present day counties of Klamath and Lake County. Lake County was not officially established until February 1, 1875. Klamath County was created in 1882. The original county seat was in Linkville, now Klamath Falls, and was relocated to Lakeview as the result of |
an 1875 election.
The first community established in the Goose Lake Valley was New Pine Creek in 1869, with a post office established December 8, 1876. In 1900 a fire swept through Lakeview destroying 75 businesses. The town was rebuilt in 1901 using brick and corrugated iron roofs. In 1906 a second fire threatened the community, but was contained to a few buildings and homes. A third fire in 1916 consumed most of the homes that had escaped the first two fires. Sheep herding played a major role in the early days of the county, but in time was supplanted by cattle ranching. Timber and cattle ranching continues to play a significant role in the area economy, as does county, state and federal government agencies. |
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GEOGRAPHY & DEMOGRAPHICS |
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| Lake County is the third largest county in
Oregon with an area of 8,340 square miles. The county ranks 32nd in the
state in terms of population with 7,400 residents. 55% of the county’s
population lives in the Lakeview Urban Growth Boundary.
Over 78% of the land in Lake County is owned and managed by the federal and state government. Lake County is a land of stark beauty, ranging in elevation from 4,130 feet to 8,446 feet. Most of the county is on a high desert plateau – part of the “ Great Basin” – and is broken by soaring block fault formations. In a single day it is possible for one to enjoy broad expanses of desert with its sagebrush and rim rocks as well as the solitude of gentle mountain forests and crystal clear streams. Abert Rim, just north of Lakeview along US Hwy 395, is the largest exposed block fault in North America. Reaching 2,000 feet above Abert Lake, Abert Rim runs north/south for over 30 miles. formation, rises an abrupt 3,600 feet, and is home to the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Looming high above the surrounding rangelands to the east of Lakeview, Hart Mountain, another block fault, rises an abrupt 3,600 feet, is home to the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.Established in 1936 with the support of area |
residents, the refuge covers over 270,000 acres.
The refuge is
home to over 300 species of wildlife, primarily birds. While one will
find substantial numbers of antelope and mule deer, it is also home to
one of the largest populations of Big Horn sheep in the nation.
Lakeview is the county seat of Lake County, and the county’s largest community with a 1999 population of 2,625. Lake County is dotted with the small communities of Paisley, Christmas Valley, Fort Rock, Silver Lake, Plush, Adel, Summer Lake and New Pine Creek. Paisley, with a population of 365 , is the second largest incorporated community in Lake County.  Petroglyphs at Hart Mountain |
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WEATHER |
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| Summers in Lake County are usually warm and dry
with cool nights. Summer temperatures range between 75 to 90 degrees. Fall provides the area with Indian Summers of crisp days with cold nights and mornings. Winter weather brings snow for a vast array of winter sports along with temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 degrees. Springs are mild with warm days. Average precipitation is16 inches per year. The county boasts an average 265 days of sun and a growing season averaging 100 days a year. |
 Downtown Lakeview |
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Economy and Business |
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| The economy of Lake County rests on a firm base
of timber and wood products, government offices and agriculture. Built
upon this base are recreation, tourism, manufacturing and retail trade.
Over 82,8548 acres is dedicated to agricultural use. Over 70% of annual agricultural sales are generated by cattle. Other agricultural products include hay, barley, wheat and oats. In 1991, agricultural revenues represented $37 million to the County's economy. The agricultural base of the county helps Lake County maintain its "Old West" atmosphere and charisma. Wood manufacturing represents about 20% of Lake County's total payroll employment. The county has a rare advantage in the timber industry because of the Federal Sustained Yield Unit (working circle). The working circle was established in the late 1950's and stipulates the a certain portion of the Fremont National Forest's timber be sold to mills within a seven mile radius of Lakeview and Paisley. Lumber and wood products manufacturing represents 98% of the total manufacturing in |
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Lake County. 43% of Lake County's payroll employment is attributed to Federal, State and local government. 28% of the labor force works for the work force is in government employ. The largest employers are the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. Lake County is a major destination of hang gliders in the western United States. Hang gliding and other tourism and recreational events bring close to $7 million to the local economy annually. Lakeview's downtown is small, but welcoming providing a wide array of services. Safeway, Lumbermen's and Jerry's Restaurant are the only chain operated businesses. All the other business that find a home in Lakeview are family owned and operated. You will find a broad array of services including hardware and drug stores, antique and latte shops, floral, furniture, computer and electronics outlets |
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Industrial Park |
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| There are four areas zoned for light and heavy industrial. The largest being approximately 500 acres under private ownership. The county owns an 80-acre site that includes an incubator facility for | |
start-up businesses. The county provides several incentives for new and expanding businesses that create jobs. | |
Work Force/Training |
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| The local labor pool has a high level of work ethics with a low rate of absenteeism. Industry and businesses use a federally funded job-training program when employees need their work skills upgraded or retraining is necessary for new job skills. | Treasure Valley Community College offers both credit and non-credit course in Lakeview. Course offerings include computer use, writing skills exercise and nutrition and even dance and yoga classes | ||
Government |
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| Lake County's government consists of three elected commissioners, an assessor, a sheriff, treasurer and a clerk. The commissioners determine the | |
financial expenditures and other customary local government decisions. A chairman is selected from among the three Commissioners. | |
Schools/Youth Activities |
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| Four schools serve Lakeview from kindergarten
through high school. An excellent non-profit preschool center is
available as well as Head Start. The Lakeview school district enrolls
approximately 900 students with a dropout rate well below the state
average. 60% of graduating seniors go on to college with higher than average SAT scores in math and science. Lake County is known throughout the state for its top-notch college scholarship programs. Four different funds provide college students from Lake County with higher education opportunities through trusts and estates.A variety of youth learning activities are available for children including Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, 4-H, FFA, Little League, Girls Softball, Babe Ruth baseball, and swimming and ski teams well as your typical school athletics. |
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 2002 Rodeo Queen and Princess |
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Hospital |
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| The Lake County Hospital was built in 1970 and a
24 bed acute and 24 bed skilled nursing facility. However, the latter
was later expanded to a 47-bed facility that enjoys a reputation for
giving outstanding care to its patients. The hospital serves an area that includes Oregon and California with a population of approximately 10,000 people. Four physicians and a serve as the members of the medical staff. In 1990 the hospital received $300,000 in state lottery funds for the completion of the second phase of a planned three-phase |
clinic project. The community also supports three dentists, all of which include orthodontists in their practice. Other health care services include an optometrist, two pharmacies, a Public Health Department, a County Mental Health. There is no charge for ambulance service in Lake County, other than what insurance companies will pay. Life Flight helicopter service is available for emergency transportation to the large hospitals in Bend and Klamath Falls. |
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Transportation |
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 The major
highways in Lake County are the north/south arterial US Highway 395
that connects to Reno (236 miles) and US Highway 20 to Boise at Burns,
Oregon (140 miles). The east/west oriented Oregon Highway 140 connects
Lake County to Klamath Falls (96 miles) and Interstate 80 at
Winnemucca, Nevada (218 miles),. A National Scenic Byway,the Oregon
Outback Highway, connects to US Highway 97the Oregon Outback Highway, |
connects to US Highway 97 just south of Bend, (177 Miles) Oregon at LaPine. A private coach company, Red Ball Stage Lines, provides transportation to Amtrak and airport in Klamath Falls. The county owned rail line, Lake County Railroad, provides rail service for area industries. The line connects to the Southern Pacific line at Alturas, California. The Lake County airport has a 100-foot wide, mile long, lighted runway. There is approximately 500 acres of undeveloped land located at the airport site. The climate of the region is conducive to year-round air access for both charter and private pilots. Flight training is also available at the airport. | ||
Organizations, Clubs & Churches |
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| Active civic organizations and groups include Rotary, Soroptimists, Lions, and Lake County Chamber of Commerce. All major service and fraternal organizations are active in Lake County, as are most major Christian denominations. The County Library's main branch is located adjacent to the Lake County Court House.Three other branches are located throughout the county. | The Lake County Senior Center provides a variety of activates and luncheons. The Center is strategically located near the post office, doctors offices and shopping. Senior transportation is provided on a will call basis by the Center. Aspen courts, a Senior housing facility, is also available near the Center. | ||
Tourism, Recreation & Culture |
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Many people choose to live in Lake County for the
quality of life, low crime rates, clean air, friendly social atmosphere
and outdoor recreation opportunities. Lake County offers limitless, unspoiled beauty and recreation. The surrounding mountains and deserts abound with wildlife including antelope, cougar, mule deer, rabbit, coyote, elk, Big Horn Sheep, pheasant, grouse and upland and migratory game birds. Natural therapeutic hot springs are located throughout the county year-round use. Rock hounding is a favorite pastime. The Oregon State Gem, the Sunstone, can be collected in a four square mile area. Known locally as the “Plush Diamond,” the sunstone was designated in 1989 as the Oregon State Gemstone because of its uncommon clarity and color range. While occurring in many colors the most common range from near colorless to a slightly amber shade. Lake County is noted as one of the premier hang-gliding locations on the West Coast. The county was selected as the site for the 1993 Hang Gliding Championships and in 1998 the Paragliding Nationals were held here. A “Festival ofFree Flight” is held annually. Winter provides Lake County with many outdoor activities such as downhill and cross country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling. With its triple chair lift Warner Canyon Ski Area is located 10 mile from Lakeview in Warner Mountain Range. It is the only |
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non-profit, volunteer
ski area in Oregon. Water skiing is available west of Lakeview on the 600 acre Drews Reservoir. Swimming is available at many area mountain lakes and at the geothermally heated public swimming pool in downtown Lakeview. Both Lakeview and Christmas Valley support challenging nine-hole golf courses. Tennis, camping, backpacking, hunting, fishing hiking and excellent mountain biking are some of the many activities Lake County residents relish and are glad to share with visitors to the area. The Lake County Fair and Rodeo is held annually during the Labor Day Weekend. This Rodeo is the second oldest Rodeo in the state of Oregon. Live country music; a demolition derby as well as traditional farm and ranch animal judging is all part of this family oriented weekend. Many early settlers in Lake County were from Ireland, or of Irish decent, so St. Patrick’s Day brings on a week long series of fun events geared for the entire family known as “Irish Days.” Yet another annual event is the “Classic Car Cruise and Hanger Hop in mid-August. This is a weekend filled with a classic car show and cruise, races, contests and a dance. The time trials held in association with the Classic attract enthusiasts from around the nation.  |
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