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"Our
Town" -- A history of the City of Hines
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."
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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.
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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.
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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 1,760 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.
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