Wallowa, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Wallowa is a city in Wallowa County
, Oregon
, United States
. The population was 869 at the 2000 census.
ted in 1889. Wallowa is a Nez Perce
word describing a triangular structure of stakes that in turn supported a network of sticks called lacallas to form a fish trap
. The Nez Perce put these traps in the Wallowa River
below the outlet of Wallowa Lake
. The author of Oregon Geographic Names
, Lewis A. McArthur
, said that although the origin of this name is disputed, he puts great weight in Levi Ankeny
who supplied this information as he was "thoroughly familiar with the early history and tradition of the Wallowa Valley" and "on intimate terms with many Indians who knew the facts of the matter".
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land.
Wallowa was known for its lumber mills and logging prior to about 1990, at which time the Union Pacific Railroad ran trains through the county several times a day. They traveled between Elgin
and Joseph
.
of 2000, there were 869 people, 350 households, and 248 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,414.7 people per square mile (550.0/km²). There were 396 housing units at an average density of 644.7 per square mile (250.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.51% White, 0.12% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.73% from other races
, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.
There were 350 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,603, and the median income for a family was $31,964. Males had a median income of $30,313 versus $15,417 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,203. About 19.5% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.1% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
45.571398°N 117.532065°W
Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the origins of the county's name are uncertain, with the most likely explanation being that it is derived from the Nez Perce term for a...
, 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 869 at the 2000 census.
History
Wallowa was platPlat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted in 1889. Wallowa is a Nez Perce
Nez Perce language
Nez Perce , also spelled Nez Percé, is a Sahaptian language related to the several dialects of Sahaptin . The Sahaptian sub-family is one of the branches of the Plateau Penutian family...
word describing a triangular structure of stakes that in turn supported a network of sticks called lacallas to form a fish trap
Fish trap
A fish trap is a trap used for fishing. Fish traps may have the form of a fishing weir or a lobster trap. A typical trap might consist of a frame of thick steel wire in the shape of a heart, with chicken wire stretched around it. The mesh wraps around the frame and then tapers into the inside of...
. The Nez Perce put these traps in the Wallowa River
Wallowa River
The Wallowa River is a tributary of the Grande Ronde River, approximately long, in northeastern Oregon in the United States. It drains a valley on the Columbia Plateau in the northeast corner of the state north of Wallowa Mountains. It rises in southern Wallowa County, in the Wallowa Mountains in...
below the outlet of Wallowa Lake
Wallowa Lake
Wallowa Lake is a ribbon lake one mile south of Joseph, Oregon, United States. Impounded by high moraines, it was formed by a series of Pleistocene glaciers. On the south end of the lake is a small community made up of vacation homes, lodging, restaurants, as well as other small businesses....
. The author of Oregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names is an authoritative compilation of the origin and meaning of place names in the U.S. state of Oregon. , the book is in its seventh edition and is compiled and edited by Lewis L. McArthur, who took over from his father, Lewis A. McArthur, as of the fourth edition...
, Lewis A. McArthur
Lewis A. McArthur
Lewis Ankeny McArthur , known as "Tam" McArthur, was an executive for Pacific Power and Light Company. He was also the secretary for the Oregon Geographic Board for many years and the author of Oregon Geographic Names. His book, now in its seventh edition, is a comprehensive source of information...
, said that although the origin of this name is disputed, he puts great weight in Levi Ankeny
Levi Ankeny
Levi Ankeny was a Republican United States Senator from the state of Washington.He was born in Buchanan County, Missouri near St. Joseph, but crossed the plains to Oregon in 1850 with his parents and settled in Portland...
who supplied this information as he was "thoroughly familiar with the early history and tradition of the Wallowa Valley" and "on intimate terms with many Indians who knew the facts of the matter".
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land.
Railroads
- Eagle Cap Excursion TrainEagle Cap Excursion TrainThe Eagle Cap Excursion Train is a heritage railroad located in Wallowa, Oregon, United States.-History:The Union Pacific Railroad came to Union County in July 1884 when the main line between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon passed through La Grande.The Oregon Railway and Navigation...
Wallowa was known for its lumber mills and logging prior to about 1990, at which time the Union Pacific Railroad ran trains through the county several times a day. They traveled between Elgin
Elgin, Oregon
Elgin is a city in Union County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,654 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,685 residents. The community is named after the Lady Elgin, a ship lost on Lake Michigan....
and Joseph
Joseph, Oregon
Joseph is a city in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Originally named Silver Lake and Lake City, in 1880 the city formally named itself for Nez Perce Chief Joseph. The population was 1,054 at the 2000 census.- History :...
.
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 869 people, 350 households, and 248 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 1,414.7 people per square mile (550.0/km²). There were 396 housing units at an average density of 644.7 per square mile (250.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.51% White, 0.12% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.73% 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 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.
There were 350 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% 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, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,603, and the median income for a family was $31,964. Males had a median income of $30,313 versus $15,417 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 $14,203. About 19.5% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.1% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Entry for Wallowa in the Oregon Blue BookOregon Blue BookThe Oregon Blue Book is the official directory and fact book for the U.S. state of Oregon copyrighted by the Oregon Secretary of State and published by the Office of the Secretary's Archives Division. As Governor Ted Kulongoski notes in his introduction for the 2005–2006 edition, it "provides...
45.571398°N 117.532065°W