Harney Basin with Burns, Oregon in background
History
Burns, Oregon, also known as the gateway to the Steens Mountain, officially became a town in 1891. Prior to receiving its name, the people in this settlement attempted to name the town after a local storeowner and well-respected citizen, George McGowan. Unlike many men and women who would eagerly have leapt at the opportunity to become immortal, McGowan turned down the offer and instead declared the hardy little town be named after the “Poet of the People, Mr. Robert Burns.”[1]
Prior to Burns becoming an officially recognized town in 1891, the little town managed to make the most out of an important 1889 legislation resolution. That year, legislators passed a resolution splitting Grant County into two, creating what today is known as Harney County. On July 7, 1890, by a narrow margin, Burns managed to claim the right to be the county seat of the newly created county.[2] As it currently stands, Harney County is the ninth largest county in the United States, even surpassing multiple states in size. According to the 2010 census, the population in Burns was 2,806.[3] Between Burns and its neighboring town Hines, roughly sixty percent of the sparsely populated county lives in that small area.
The settlers who came to this region did not find the land void of human life. Instead, they encountered the Northern Paiutes. A tribe of Native Americans who claim to have lived in what is now known as Central and Eastern Oregon long before the Steens Mountain ever formed.
A Quick Sampling of what Burns has to Offer its Residents and Visitors
The Adventure Found Within
Despite both its small size and population, Burns offers many opportunities to both its residents and visitors whose natures are adventurous and inquisitive. Before every venturing beyond the town, downtown Burns offers many opportunities to those willing to seize them. From the many galleries and stores that house arrowhead, rock, and artifact exhibits to the abundance of thunder eggs, fossils, and agate, rock hounds, historical junkies, and many others will find this quaint western town has something to offer everyone. In addition, as the county seat, Burns holds the privilege of housing the Harney County Historical Museum. Anyone who holds even the smallest of interest in the mythical Old West can discover Harney County’s Old West roots through early cowboy photos, ranching facts, handmade quilts, and a turn of the century kitchen exhibit.[4]
A Gateway to Knowledge and Adventure
Aside from museum-quality exhibits and galleries, Burns is well situated to act as a trio of destinations: starting, resting, and ending. Within an hour’s drive from town, people can stumble upon the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Diamond Craters. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in partnership with organizations such as TripCheck, has created spectacular self-guided auto tours where travelers can go from seeing over 50 species of birds to getting the opportunity to discovering a complete lesson on volcanism all in one day.
For breathtaking scenery, or merely the opportunity to go backpacking, boating, camping, fishing, and hunting in its backcountry area, Burns and Harney County are the place to go visit.
Town Map of Burns
Notes
[1] Harney County Chamber of Commerce, “How Burns was Named,” last modified on 2006, http://web.archive.org/web/20070928072003/http://www.harneycounty.com/DowntownBurns/Burns.htm.
[2] A Lively little history of Harney County: a centennial souvenir album, 1889-1989 (Burns, OR: Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 1989), 3.
[3] U.S. Census Bureau, “U.S. Gazetteer Files 2010: Place List,” last modified 2010, http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_41.txt.
[4] City of Burn, “About the City of Burns,” last modified on 2013, http://www.ci.burns.or.us/
