Overview of Wheeler County
Facts & Historical Overview
Wheeler County was established on February 17, 1899. Formed from parts of
Grant, Gilliam, and Crook Counties, there have been no subsequent boundary
changes since its creation. The county shares boundaries with Gilliam and
Morrow Counties to the north, Wasco and Jefferson to the west, Crook to the
south, and Grant to the east. The county was named for Henry Wheeler, who
operated the first stage line through the county. The area of the county is
1,713 square miles. The 1992 population is 1,400 with its peak population of
3,313 occurring in 1950.
The county seat is located in the city of Fossil. The town's name was derived
from the first postmaster's discovery of fossil remains on his land in 1876.
Fossil was designated the temporary county seat when the county was created.
In 1900 there was an election to determine the permanent county seat. Spray,
Twickenham and Fossil were the aspirants with Fossil winning the election. The
current courthouse was built in 1901.
Wheeler County's government consists of a county court made up of a county
judge and two commissioners. The county judge retains judicial authority for
probate and juvenile proceedings. Other county officers include district
attorney, justice of the peace, clerk, sheriff/emergency services director,
treasurer, education district superintendent, extension agent, juvenile
director, mental health director, planning director, and roadmaster.
Political jurisdictions in the county include Senate District 28,
Representative District 56, and the Second Congressional District. Wheeler
County is part of the North Central Regional Strategies Board with Gilliam,
Grant, Morrow, Wasco, and Sherman Counties. As part of that economic
development program, they have identified tourism, software, and forest
products as key industries.
The terrain of the county varies widely from sagebrush, juniper, and rim rock
to thick stands of pine and fir. Portions of two national forests lie within
its boundaries with forest lands covering nearly one third of the county. The
area is known as an outstanding depository of prehistoric fossils. Principal
industries are agriculture, livestock, and lumber.
Don't miss our historic photo's page from the Oregon State Archives
