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A Community Art Project: Decorate a Caboose and Celebrate Crook County History
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Edward Hines Lumber Mill
Published On: May 29th, 2026|

Early Dentistry in Central Oregon Often an Ordeal for Patients
Published On: January 16th, 2026|
Vanished Post Office on the High Desert
Published On: January 9th, 2026|
The Crooked River Project
Published On: December 26th, 2025|

MORE NEWS & STORIES FROM THE PAST —

William B. Morse didn’t build a legacy with fanfare—he built it with consistency, service, and a lifelong commitment to Prineville. From bookkeeping and farming to city leadership and civic development, his story reflects the kind of quiet dedication that shapes a town from the inside out.

Building Prineville: The Civic Life of William B. Morse

Building Prineville: The Civic Life of William B. Morse

A Life of Steady Service in Prineville In the [...]

Red Rock and Liquid Silver: The Hidden History of Mother Lode Mine

Red Rock and Liquid Silver: The Hidden History of Mother Lode Mine

The Story of Lookout Mountain’s Mercury Mine Tucked into [...]

In frontier-era Prineville, the backyard outhouse was more than a fixture—it was a fact of life.

From Outback to Indoor Plumbing

From Outback to Indoor Plumbing

How Prineville Flushed Its Way to Modern Health In [...]

Before Harney County had roads, railways, or even a name, two men were carving out a cattle empire on its vast, wind-swept plains. James Hardin and Amos Riley didn’t just raise cattle—they helped shape the early economic backbone of Central and Eastern Oregon.

Hardin and Riley: Cattle Kings of the Oregon Frontier

Hardin and Riley: Cattle Kings of the Oregon Frontier

Hardin and Riley: Cattle Kings of the Oregon Frontier [...]

In 1912, the Moores made a significant change. They purchased the Madras Hotel, which had originally been built to accommodate travelers arriving by rail. As Madras grew around the new railroad line, the hotel became a bustling hub for visitors and workers alike. Edith managed the establishment, welcoming guests and serving hearty meals, while William met the trains at the depot each day, ferrying passengers to the hotel by wagon. The couple had two more children during these years, balancing business, family, and the fast-changing pace of a frontier town turning modern.

Hauling Water, Feeding Strangers: The Enduring Spirit of Edith Smith Moore

Hauling Water, Feeding Strangers: The Enduring Spirit of Edith Smith Moore

Agency Plains Pioneer and Madras Entrepreneur Born in Michigan [...]

Jeff Stewart was a pioneering cattle rancher in Oregon’s Upper Crooked River region. Born in 1868, he spent most of his life developing the family ranch into a vital part of the local community, remembered for his hard work, quiet leadership, and enduring legacy on the land.

Jeff Stewart: Cattleman, Caretaker, and Crooked River Pioneer

Jeff Stewart: Cattleman, Caretaker, and Crooked River Pioneer

Pioneer Rancher of the Upper Crooked River Thomas Jefferson [...]