Hines tourist information
Our town had its beginning in 1929, when construction of the large Edward Hines Lumber Company mill began. It was apparent that many homes were going to be needed to house the work force that was about to settle in the Burns area.
Stafford, Derbes, and Roy, Realtors from Mississippi were hired to develop the Greater Burns sub-division -- later known as Hines. It was called "Oregon's first scientifically planned and made-to-order community," and was advertised as: "The greater Burns development in the great Harney valley, it is Oregon's first made-to-order community, and one of the first scientifically planned cities undertaken in America."
After seeking property both north and south of Burns, they finally purchased 2,000 acres south of Burns, north and east of the mill site.
In 1929, Edward Hines ordered the first 150 homes built for his employees, due to arrive within a year. Edward and his wife also assisted in the design of the new city. The heart of our town was to be a large circular park. The intent of the park was to have a place for families to gather in the evening to visit, and to give the children a place to play. In those days before television, evening gatherings were very popular and they are still popular today. Our park is used in many ways--weddings, family reunions, birthday parties for both adults and children, company picnics, family picnics, religious sing-alongs, Basque celebrations, rock and gem shows, antique car shows, Easter egg hunts, and yes even a funeral to mention a few, and the list goes on.
The City of Hines was formed around the park. One block around the perimeter of the park was zoned for businesses only. The streets beyond the commercial area were the residential area. Homes and schools were located there. By July 26, 1929, the foundations for the first 10 homes had been poured. Water lines were being installed, and Barnes Street was constructed, becoming the first street in the new town.
On August 23, 1929, some Portland investors announced the construction of the Ponderosa Hotel, better known today as the Gray Ghost. However, construction was halted as national business conditions worsened, and the hotel was never completed.
During August of 1929, a well was drilled on the west hill of Barnes Street where a water tower was constructed, with a reserve tank of 250,000 gallon capacity of water.
On March 14, 1930, the Burns City Council met to consider annexation of the Burns subdivision, but due to the lack of funds were unable to pay Stafford, Derbes, and Roy the $1,000,000.00 they had invested in the construction of the city. And so it was, on December 13, 1930, with a unanimous vote, they chose to incorporate and gave the new city the name of Hines. The first officers to serve the city were: C.J. Pettibone, mayor; Fred Potter, recorder; E.E Kalk, treasurer; Harold Whitten, marshal; and George Butler, Earl Sloan, Louis Gerrias, E.C. Hawkins, Tom Jamieson, and Claude Shirley, councilpersons.
A contract was awarded for a new schoolhouse to be built. The new Sagehen School (later known as the Hines Elementary School) was scheduled for completion in November, 1930.
In early 1931, our town was beginning to function. The town had a mayor and city council and the new elementary school was opened. The new store was open for business. And on February 13, 1931, it was announced that Hines was to get its own post office, to be located in the grocery store. Hines had a Marshal for police protection. The fire department was furnished by the mill. In case of a fire, they would come from the mill, bringing a fire-hose wagon, hook up to a fire hydrant and fight the fire. A swimming pool was built in 1935, south of the Hines mill log pond.
In the late 1940's, Hines undertook the construction of a sewer system. Along with the sewer system, our town began to pave streets that had previously been dirt and red cinder roads.
The district offices of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department and the district offices of the Ochoco and Malheur National Forests are now within the city limits of Hines. The Valley Golf Club, built during the 1950's is located on the northeast side of town.
Our town also built its first city hall, in 1975, within a section of the park. Currently the City of Hines has a population of 1,635 residents, an elevation of about 4,200 feet above sea level, and consists of approximately 32 square miles within the city limits. It's a city of many trees, a hospitality that's hard to beat, and if you are ever through our town please stop at Hines City Hall and visit with us. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The City Council meetings are held on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, and the Planning Commission meets on every first and third Tuesday. The public is invited to attend these meetings. Applications for business licenses, building permits, dog licenses and bike licenses can be obtained at Hines City Hall.
Hines aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Hines aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Hines.
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