Posted in Oregon January 05, 2021 by

The Tiny Town Of Condon, Oregon Has A Rich History That Spans More Than 125 Years

Oregon’s towns are as varied as its people, but each has its own unique features and charm. The tiny town of Condon is located in eastern Oregon, and it has a rich history that spans more than a century. If you’ve never visited this little gem, you’ll want to stop by to see what it offers!

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You'll find the charming town of Condon about 2.5 hours east of Portland. Its charming Main Street is full of historic buildings that have recently been restored, and it's even on the National Register of Historic Places.
Condon Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
The town was founded in the late 1800s, when ranchers and farmers moved into the area and started growing wheat and other crops.
Tyler Hulett/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Condon is home to fewer than 1,000 residents, but it was even smaller in its early days. This photo shows Main Street in 1890.
Hotel Condon
The town quickly took on the nickname "Wheat City," and you can still drive past miles of wheat fields surrounding the town. This photo of the harvest was taken in 1908.
Hotel Condon
Here, men sit on a huge stack of bags of grain. As recently as the 1970s, the area in and around Condon included more than 150 wheat farms.
Hotel Condon
Though the number of farms is much smaller today, the area still produces millions of pounds of wheat, feeding people all over the world - as far away as China.
This tiny community has always been tight-knit, and proud of its local businesses and vibrant Main Street.
Condon Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
In 1912, Main Street was the site of the L.G. Barnes Circus Parade - a display that brought folks to Condon from all over the county.
Hotel Condon
While many of the original buildings on Main Street still exist, the historic Hotel Condon is the only hotel that's stood the test of time.
Scott D./Tripadvisor
Built in 1920, the Hotel Condon still offers 18 historic rooms. It's been renovated several times, and is still going strong.
Hotel Condon
Condon was the home of two Nobel Prize winners, as well! Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954. His father owned the drug store shown here.
Hotel Condon
William P. Murphy also grew up in Condon, and went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1934.
From its earliest businesses (like the Buckhorn Saloon, pictured here in 1903), to its recently restored Main Street, Condon is a tiny, but charming town that's proud of its history.
Hotel Condon

Have you visited the little town of Condon? Tell our readers about your trip in the comments! While you’re in Condon, consider an overnight stay at the historic Hotel Condon. Check out its website here.

We love all of Oregon’s towns – large and small. The town of Cottage Grove was recently named as one of the most charming towns in the entire country! Read our feature article about this quaint town here.

Address: Condon, OR 97823, USA