Umatilla County

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Umatilla County traces its creation in 1862 to the regional gold rushes, which spawned the river port of Umatilla City and brought stock raisers to the lush grasslands.

Although Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trail pioneers passed through Umatilla County, it did not bloom until the arrival of the railroad in 1881 and the development of dry land wheat farming.

Water in the form of irrigation has been key to economic diversification and growth, most recently in the Hermiston area, where the desert now yields lush watermelons and other products. Tourism is also increasingly important to Umatilla County where “Let-er-Buck” is heard by Pendleton Round-Up crowds. To find out more about Umatilla County History visit our History page.

Umatilla County Courthouse

  The first courthouse was completed in 1866 in Umatilla City. The next courthouse, and the first built in Pendleton, was a wooden, two-story structure completed in 1869. In 1889 a three-story brick courthouse and jail was erected.  A fourth courthouse was built on the site of the old courthouse in 1956 and is still in use today.  More information about Umatilla County history and the historic clock tower can be found at umatillacounty.net/history.htm and umatillacounty.net/clock.htm