Early Settlement on Juniper Flat West of Maupin
Wapinitia: A Glimpse Into the Past
By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
Nestled about nine miles west of Maupin, Oregon, Wapinitia (pronounced Wapa-nee-t-siha) is a quiet reminder of the region's early settlement history. Once known as Oak Grove for the trees that shaded the area, the name "Wapinitia" comes from a Warm Springs Indian word. While the exact spelling is said to be "Wapinita," the term is believed to mean "edge," likely referencing the boundary where fertile Juniper Flat transitions into the arid lands to the east.
Settlers first arrived around 1875, drawn to Juniper Flat's expansive plains, ideal for farming and ranching. Jerry Young, a homesteader and sheep rancher, played a pivotal role in Wapinitia’s development. In 1878, he established a store on his property, which also became home to the settlement’s post office, with Young serving as its first postmaster. A school soon followed, and as the community grew, the settlement shifted about a mile west to better serve both Juniper Flat and nearby residents of the Warm Springs Reservation.
A Hub for Travelers
In the late 1870s, Wapinitia became a stop along the stagecoach route from The Dalles to Dufur. Initially, the stage arrived just once a week, but as the area grew, service increased to twice weekly. Passengers often included farmers, ranchers, and visitors to the Reservation.
By 1885, the settlement had expanded to include a store and hotel operated by Hiram Corum, who also served as postmaster until 1900. Over the years, Wapinitia boasted two churches, two stores, a blacksmith shop, and a small irrigation system bringing water from Clear Lake to support agriculture.
The Boom and Decline
The construction of the Wapinitia Cutoff—a highway linking the settlement to Simnasho and eventually to Highway 26—brought a brief boom to the area. Workers and engineers stayed at the local hotel, known as the Barzee (or Bearsie) Hotel. Despite this flurry of activity, the community’s fortunes began to wane by the mid-20th century. The school closed in 1946, and the post office shuttered in 1935.
Today, much of Wapinitia’s past has faded into history. The old schoolhouse still stands, though it’s weathered and worn by time. A small cemetery nearby holds 13 graves, offering quiet testimony to the lives once rooted in this small but vibrant settlement.
From its beginnings as a stage stop and farming hub to its role in connecting communities via the Wapinitia Cutoff, Wapinitia remains a fascinating chapter in Oregon’s history—one that bridges the edge between past and present.