Lakeview, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Lakeview is a city in Lake County
, Oregon
, United States
. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census
. It is the county seat
of Lake County
. Although it is an incorporated
city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon" because of its elevation. Lakeview is situated in the Goose Lake Valley
at the foot of the Warner Mountains
and at the edge of the Southeastern Oregon
high desert
.
artifacts in Lake County have been dated back to 9,000 years ago. White traders, explorers and military expeditions arrived in the 1800s. The first white outpost in Lake County was Fort Warner on August 10, 1866, built in the area where the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge is located. The main reason for establishing the fort was to protect white settlers from the native people of the region.
General George Crook
was active in the area and established camps in the area and fought native Americans.
The area around Lakeview was also home to Irish
and some Basque
sheepherders who were later displaced by cattle ranchers.
The first community established in the Goose Lake Valley was New Pine Creek in 1869, with a post office established December 8, 1876. Lake County, created from parts of Jackson
and Wasco
counties in 1875, originally included what became Klamath
in 1882. The original county seat was in Linkville (Klamath Falls
), but was later moved to Lakeview.
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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) is land and 0.64% is water.
of 2000, there were 2,474 people, 1,037 households, and 695 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,582.7 people per square mile (612.3/km²). There were 1,220 housing units at an average density of 780.5 per square mile (302.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.47% White, 0.04% African American, 2.47% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 3.07% from other races
, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.86% of the population.
There were 1,037 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,960, and the median income for a family was $38,953. Males had a median income of $31,958 versus $22,198 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,649. About 14.3% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
mine and agriculture. Economic development plans including a prison that opened in 2005 have been controversial. Lakeview is home to two uranium
mines, White King and Lucky Lass, that operated from 1955 to the mid-1960s. In 1995 the mines were declared Superfund
sites.
Lakeview also markets itself as part of the "Oregon Outback
" and is working to attract more tourist dollars from outdoors enthusiasts, sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts. Attractions include: fishing, birdwatching, camping, hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, rockhounding, hunting,
wildlife and wildflowers.
Lakeview is known as one of the best places in North America for hang gliding
and paragliding
and was designated "the Hang Gliding Capital of the West" in 1991. The National Championships for Hang Gliding were held in Lakeview in 1993, 1997, 2000, and 2008, while the National Championships for Paragliding were held in Lakeview in 1998 and 2007. And for at least the past twenty years, Lakeview has hosted the "Umpteenth Annual Festival of Free Flight" over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and various local businesses. This event draws pilots and families from all over the United States, as well as other countries, for hang gliding and paragliding.
Lakeview is also known for the hot water geyser, Old Perpetual, located at Hunter's Hot Springs
. The geyser has not erupted since June 2009, possibly in part because of controversial nearby geothermal development by the Town of Lakeview to supply the Warner Creek Correctional Facility with water for heating., Additional development of the site for geothermal power generation purposes may further threaten the hot springs. However, that is not known to be the actual cause of Old Perpetual not erupting.
, the only high school in the city, is part of the Lakeview School District and serves 255 students in grades 9 through 12.
Numerous students from high schools in Lake County have attended college on scholarships provided in trust by pioneer physician Bernard Daly
. Known as the Bernard Daly Educational Fund
, the funds have helped over 1600 Lake County students to attend college. Daly was a medical doctor, rancher, banker and politician. Daly was associated with an act of frontier heroism that occurred when a fire broke out during a Christmas program at the isolated Oregon town of Silver Lake
in December, 1894. Rancher Ed O'Farrell rode to Lakeview some 100 miles (160.9 km) away in sub-zero temperatures to fetch Daly. The ride took 19 hours with O'Farrell stopping at ranches along the way to change horses. Daly and driver William Duncan made the return trip to Silver Lake in 13 hours using a buggy. A total of 43 people died in the fire, which was the worst fire in Oregon history.
and Oregon Route 140. It is some 96 mi (154.5 km) from the passenger train
station in Klamath Falls, Oregon
. The Lake County Railroad
serves the city, but does not provide passenger service. This railroad was operated by the Great Western Railway of Colorado
, and later by the county, but operations were transferred to the Modoc Northern Railroad
.
Lake County, Oregon
Lake County is a county in the high desert south central region of the U.S. state of Oregon, so named for the many lakes found within its boundaries, including Lake Abert, Hart Lake Reservoir, and Goose Lake. While Lake is among Oregon's largest counties, it is sparsely populated with 7,895...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Lake County
Lake County, Oregon
Lake County is a county in the high desert south central region of the U.S. state of Oregon, so named for the many lakes found within its boundaries, including Lake Abert, Hart Lake Reservoir, and Goose Lake. While Lake is among Oregon's largest counties, it is sparsely populated with 7,895...
. Although it is an incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon" because of its elevation. Lakeview is situated in the Goose Lake Valley
Goose Lake Valley
The Goose Lake Valley is located in south-central Oregon and northeastern California, United States. It is a high valley at the northwestern corner of North America’s basin and range province. Much of the valley floor is covered by Goose Lake, a large endorheic lake that straddles the...
at the foot of the Warner Mountains
Warner Mountains
The Warner Mountains are an 85-mile-long mountain range running north-south through northeastern California and extending into southern Oregon in the United States...
and at the edge of the Southeastern Oregon
Southeastern Oregon
Southeastern Oregon is a geographical term for the area along the state of Oregon's borders with Idaho, California, and Nevada. It includes the populous areas of Burns, Klamath Falls and Lakeview.-Counties:-Cities and towns:Burns |Chemult |Chiloquin |...
high desert
High Desert (Oregon)
The Oregon High Desert is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon, located east of the Cascade Range and south of the Blue Mountains, in the central and eastern parts of the state. Divided into a southern region and a northern region, the desert covers most of five Oregon counties and averages above...
.
History
Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
artifacts in Lake County have been dated back to 9,000 years ago. White traders, explorers and military expeditions arrived in the 1800s. The first white outpost in Lake County was Fort Warner on August 10, 1866, built in the area where the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge is located. The main reason for establishing the fort was to protect white settlers from the native people of the region.
General George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
was active in the area and established camps in the area and fought native Americans.
The area around Lakeview was also home to Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and some Basque
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
sheepherders who were later displaced by cattle ranchers.
The first community established in the Goose Lake Valley was New Pine Creek in 1869, with a post office established December 8, 1876. Lake County, created from parts of Jackson
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
and Wasco
Wasco County, Oregon
Wasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for a local tribe of Native Americans, the Wasco, a Chinook tribe who lived on the south side of the Columbia River. In 2010, its population was 25,213...
counties in 1875, originally included what became Klamath
Klamath County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge* Crater Lake National Park * Deschutes National Forest * Fremont National Forest * Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge* Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge...
in 1882. The original county seat was in Linkville (Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867, after the Link River on whose falls this city sat, although no falls currently exist; the name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892...
), but was later moved to Lakeview.
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.
Geography
At an elevation of 4800 feet (1,463 m), Lakeview is one of the highest cities in Oregon.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) is land and 0.64% is water.
Climate
The city averages about 35 rainy days per year, 12 days with high temperatures of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher, and 167 days with low temperatures below freezing. The average temperature in January is 27 °F (-3 °C), and in July it is 67 °F (19 °C). Annual snowfall averages 54 inches (137 cm).Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,474 people, 1,037 households, and 695 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,582.7 people per square mile (612.3/km²). There were 1,220 housing units at an average density of 780.5 per square mile (302.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.47% White, 0.04% African American, 2.47% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 3.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.86% of the population.
There were 1,037 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,960, and the median income for a family was $38,953. Males had a median income of $31,958 versus $22,198 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,649. About 14.3% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Lakeview has several schools, a hospital, a sawmill, a perlitePerlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently...
mine and agriculture. Economic development plans including a prison that opened in 2005 have been controversial. Lakeview is home to two uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
mines, White King and Lucky Lass, that operated from 1955 to the mid-1960s. In 1995 the mines were declared Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
sites.
Lakeview also markets itself as part of the "Oregon Outback
Oregon Outback
Oregon Outback is an unofficial term generally used to reference the high desert Basin and Range country of the central southern portion of the U.S...
" and is working to attract more tourist dollars from outdoors enthusiasts, sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts. Attractions include: fishing, birdwatching, camping, hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, rockhounding, hunting,
wildlife and wildflowers.
Lakeview is known as one of the best places in North America for hang gliding
Hang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
and paragliding
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
and was designated "the Hang Gliding Capital of the West" in 1991. The National Championships for Hang Gliding were held in Lakeview in 1993, 1997, 2000, and 2008, while the National Championships for Paragliding were held in Lakeview in 1998 and 2007. And for at least the past twenty years, Lakeview has hosted the "Umpteenth Annual Festival of Free Flight" over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and various local businesses. This event draws pilots and families from all over the United States, as well as other countries, for hang gliding and paragliding.
Lakeview is also known for the hot water geyser, Old Perpetual, located at Hunter's Hot Springs
Hunter's Hot Springs (Oregon)
Hunter's Hot Springs are natural geothermal springs located in Lake County, Oregon, United States, two miles north of Lakeview. The springs are named after Harry Hunter, who bought the springs in 1923. The best known feature within the geothermal area is Old Perpetual, which was once Oregon's...
. The geyser has not erupted since June 2009, possibly in part because of controversial nearby geothermal development by the Town of Lakeview to supply the Warner Creek Correctional Facility with water for heating., Additional development of the site for geothermal power generation purposes may further threaten the hot springs. However, that is not known to be the actual cause of Old Perpetual not erupting.
Education
Lakeview High SchoolLakeview High School (Oregon)
Lakeview High School is a public high school in Lakeview, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2008, 91% of the school's seniors received their high school diploma. Of 79 students, 72 graduated and 7 dropped out.- Athletics :...
, the only high school in the city, is part of the Lakeview School District and serves 255 students in grades 9 through 12.
Numerous students from high schools in Lake County have attended college on scholarships provided in trust by pioneer physician Bernard Daly
Bernard Daly
Bernard Daly was an American country doctor, businessman, banker, rancher, state representative, state senator, county judge, and regent of Oregon State Agricultural College . He also ran for United States Congress, and was his party’s candidate for the United States Senate...
. Known as the Bernard Daly Educational Fund
Bernard Daly Educational Fund
The Bernard Daly Educational Fund is an education trust fund established in 1922 for the benefit of students graduating from high school in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The fund is managed by a local board of trustees...
, the funds have helped over 1600 Lake County students to attend college. Daly was a medical doctor, rancher, banker and politician. Daly was associated with an act of frontier heroism that occurred when a fire broke out during a Christmas program at the isolated Oregon town of Silver Lake
Silver Lake, Oregon
Silver Lake is an unincorporated community in Lake County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 31. Facilities include a gas station and a small store. It is also the location of North Lake School, "Home of the Cowboys".- History :...
in December, 1894. Rancher Ed O'Farrell rode to Lakeview some 100 miles (160.9 km) away in sub-zero temperatures to fetch Daly. The ride took 19 hours with O'Farrell stopping at ranches along the way to change horses. Daly and driver William Duncan made the return trip to Silver Lake in 13 hours using a buggy. A total of 43 people died in the fire, which was the worst fire in Oregon history.
Transportation
Lakeview is located on U.S. Route 395U.S. Route 395
U.S. Route 395 is a U.S. Route in the western United States. The southern terminus of the route is in the Mojave Desert at Interstate 15 near Hesperia. The northern terminus is at the Canadian border near Laurier, where the road becomes Highway 395 upon entering British Columbia. At one time, the...
and Oregon Route 140. It is some 96 mi (154.5 km) from the passenger train
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
station in Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867, after the Link River on whose falls this city sat, although no falls currently exist; the name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892...
. The Lake County Railroad
Lake County Railroad
The Lake County Railroad , based in Lakeview, Oregon, United States, is owned by the Lake County government and operated by the Modoc Northern Railroad. It runs south from Lakeview to Alturas, California, and then back every Thursday...
serves the city, but does not provide passenger service. This railroad was operated by the Great Western Railway of Colorado
Great Western Railway of Colorado
The Great Western Railway of Colorado operates about of track in Colorado and interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad as well as the BNSF Railway. It is a currently a subsidiary of OmniTRAX but was founded in 1901 to serve the Great Western Sugar Company and other sugar, beet, and molasses...
, and later by the county, but operations were transferred to the Modoc Northern Railroad
Modoc Northern Railroad
The Modoc Northern Railroad connects Klamath Falls to Alturas, California and Lakeview, Oregon to Alturas, California. Modoc Northern Railroad operates over 160 miles of track in northeastern California and southern Oregon and is based in Tulelake, California...
.
- Lake County AirportLake County Airport (Oregon)Lake County Airport is a public airport located three miles southwest of the central business district of Lakeview, a city in Lake County, Oregon, United States. It is owned by Lake County.- Facilities and aircraft :...
External links
- The Town of Lakeview (official website)
- Lake County Chamber of Commerce in Lakeview
- Oregon Blue Book listing for Lakeview
- Picture of Lakeview in 1911