by Denise Seith

Created on: December 20, 2008

Sumpter, Oregon- A Gold Mining Ghost Town Surrounded by Gorgeous Scenery

When prospectors first discovered gold near Oregon's Powder River in 1862, the gold rush of eastern Oregon was on! In fact, over 10,000 mining claims were filed in Baker County during Oregon's gold rush, and boomtowns like Sumpter sprang up almost instantly. To get a sense of this area's rich history, visit the Queen City of

Sumpter, located on the Elkhorn Scenic Byway. Tucked away in Oregon's Elkhorn Mountain Range surrounded by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, there's enough natural beauty and historic sites in Sumpter to keep your camera clicking away all day!

The Queen City
With the discovery of gold, the town of Sumpter got its start. By the early 1900s, numerous hard-rock mines were in operation and over 80 businesses served a population of about 3,000. The mines began to lose yield after 20 years or so, but then dredging commenced in 1913 and the townspeople prospered once again- altogether recovering over $10 million in gold. Finally in 1954, when expenses outweighed profits, the clattering of the dredge buckets was forever silenced. Mining operations ceased, folks moved on to find other jobs, and Sumpter eventually became a ghost town. The former Queen City is not completely deserted today, though. The sparse year-round population isn't much more than 170, but you'll find RV parks, restaurants, a country store and a gift shop to meet your needs. An annual flea market each Labor Day weekend brings in thousands of buyers and sellers!

Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area
At the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area on the edge of town, step aboard the massive 1,240- ton YUBA style dredge. Not many gold dredges are still on public display, so it's fortunate we can visit one of the largest and most accessible in the country. Built at a cost of $350,000 in 1935, it produced $4.5 million in gold until 1954 (gold was then $35 an ounce), and was actually the third dredge to be used during that time period. It's hard to believe all that bulk actually floated on its own small pond, but that's exactly how the dredge moved from place to placedigging into the soil in a sideways pattern creating a constant pool of water that came from the Powder River. The dredge ran 24 hours a day/7 days a week in all weather, requiring three shifts of about 20 men each. The workmen had just two days off each year- Christmas and Independence Day- and earnings were only 90 cents an hour for oilers and $1.10 per hour for winchmen. What a way to make a living!

Sumpter Valley Railroad (State Heritage Area)
All aboard for Sumpter Valley Railroad! After you dream of striking it rich on the dredge, ride the rails of the steam-powered train that originally hauled millions of dollars of gold ore and timber from the Elkhorn Mountains between 1890-1947. The 5-mile trip between Sumpter and McEwen stations runs weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through the end of September.

Although many private and federal mining claims still exist today, don't let that stop you from finding a fortune (or at least have fun trying!). If you're a recreational gold panner, bring your own equipment and try your luck. Just be careful not to trespass on posted claims. But even if you're not one to catch gold fever, the scenery and history found in and around Sumpter, Oregon is priceless.

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