Wasco County
Ghost Towns & Defunct Post Offices



SHANIKO -- pop. 27
schoolShaniko, known as the Wool Shipping Center of the World in the 1880s, is one of only a small handful of real ghost towns remaining in the U.S.  This one is being "resurrected" in modern day. Services are once again available at the historic Shaniko Hotel and other locations throughout the "town." 

Buildings have been preserved, including the old jail – in which visitors may stand and have photos taken, and the old church – which now serves as a wedding chapel. The old hotel (below, right) still stands, as does the school (shown here).

In addition to its short term as the Wool Shipping Center, Shaniko also served for a much longer time as a major freight terminal between The Dalles and central Oregon. It was also one of thehotel many stagecoach and freight wagon stops along that same route, until about 1914 when the railroad spur was completed. Between about 1890 and 1905, stagecoach service was gradually discontinued, although both freight and passenger service remained viable for several more years on branch lines that were not directly accessible by rail.

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Matney
Post Office (June 12, 1895-April 23, 1896), for a short time in history, became one of the most popular places in southern Wasco Co., since mail from "home" was infrequently received and much appreciated. The Post Office was founded by Isaac MATNEY who came to Wasco County from Kansas in 1885. It was located on upper Mill Creek at the foot of the James M. Hartman Grade about 12 miles southwest of The Dalles.

Some 30-40 families on upper Mill Creek came to Matney to pick up their mail. Isaac brought the mail out along with supplies for the mill from The Dalles. Isaac had a small store and post office there. He also contracted with Sam JOHNS to haul supplies from The Dalles to Johns' lumber mill nearby. Johns established the mill in 1886. 

Some of the other original settlers at Matney were James Hartman, Jake Babcock, P.G. Whetmore, C.W. Whetmore, Al Turner, Kent Turner, Jack Davis, Sam Johns, Lloyd Mitchell, Walter Scott, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fancher and sons William and Douglas Fancher, and Vess Fox. Later residents were Bert and Charlie Wyatt, Peter Fagan with sons Guy and Hugh came in 1893. Mr. Wise and Arthur Day came in 1908. Glenn Hammond arrived in 1910 and A.J. Preston came 1909 with Lester Marquiss arriving later (may have had some relationship to Isaac Matney).

A nearby, related landmark is Matney Flat, located southeast of Condon (now in Gilliam County) which takes its name from H.C. Matney who settled there in 1872. Matney Post Office (December 4, 1886 to April 20, 1892) with postmaster Godfrey Schilling was probably located near Matney School at this location.

Isaac Matney was born January, 1830 in VA, married Margaret, born  May, 1830 in Missouri. Their children were Charles, born December, 1872, Eva, born April, 1883 in Kansas, Frank, born February, 1885 (from 1900 Wasco County Census). The following children were born after 1900: Roy (died young), Jenny who married Al Turner, and Ivy who married Jack Davis. Frank and Ivy went to California, Charlie lived in Portland. Jenny lived on upper Mill Creek and her daughter Grace married James Gosson. Isaac Matney died February 18, 1910.

Parts of the information above comes from notes prepared by Grace Gosson, who was a granddaughter of Isaac Matney. Much of the information about the settlement of Matney was copied from a 3-ring binder in the genealogy collection of the Clark County, Washington Genealogy Society.


 
 
 
Fairbanks

A station on the Great Southern Railroad, ten miles east of The Dalles, the county seat and banking point. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company. Mail to Freebridge.


Flanagan
(see also, Bakeoven)

Population 150. A country postoffice first settled in 1905, on the DesChutes river. It is forty miles southeast of The Dalles and eighteen miles southeast of Shaniko, the banking and shipping station. There is a Free Methodist church. Has daily connection with The Dalles and Shaniko, tri-weekly with Dufur also Pacific and Farmers' Telephone & Telegraph Company service. Thomas Flanagan, postmaster.


Freebridge

Population 100. A postoffice first settled in 1908, on Great Southern Railway and Ten-Mile creek, eleven miles southeast of The Dalles, the banking town. Sustains a Baptist church. Ten Mile Telephone Co.'s service


Friend

Population 120. A village settled in 1903, thirty miles southwest of The Dalles, and ten southwest of Dufur, the banking, express and shipping point, on the Great Southern Railway. Peniel Mission and Union church. Long distance telephone connections. Daily stage to The Dalles and Kingsley.


Kingsley

Population 50. A village settled in 1870, thirty miles south of The Dalles and eight southwest of Dufur, the express, banking and shipping point, on the Great Southern Railway. Sustains a Catholic church. Long distance telephone connections. Mial, daily.


Nansene
(Coming Soon!)
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