Paradise, Oregon

Paradise is an unincorporated community in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States, about three miles east of Oregon Route 3 and about six miles south of the Oregon-Washington border. It is located on a plateau that overlooks Joseph Canyon. The closest incorporated cities are Enterprise, Oregon and Asotin, Washington at 40 and 45 miles away, respectively. Its elevation is 4114 feet (1254 m).[1]

Paradise formerly had a post office that ran from 1889 to 1942.[2][3] Paradise was named by Wallowa Valley ranchers Sam Wade, Pres Halley and William Masterson, who entered the area in October 1878 while looking for winter range for their cattle.[3] When they returned to the valley, they told the other settlers of the fine grass available in the "regular paradise" they found.[3] That November, settlers brought a thousand head of cattle to the new range, but the winter was severe and many cattle were lost.[3]

Oregon Route 3 formerly passed through Paradise.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Paradise". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. November 28, 1980. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  2. ^ "Paradise Post Office (historical)". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. August 1, 1994. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d McArthur, Lewis A.; Lewis L. McArthur (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 741. ISBN 0-87595-277-1.
  4. ^ Starmont, Leon (January 26, 1947). "Wallowa Here We Come!". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved December 17, 2009.

45°56′18″N 117°13′19″W / 45.938205°N 117.221827°W / 45.938205; -117.221827


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