The City of Pendleton, incorporated in 1880, is noted for its friendliness and for putting out the welcome mat. The city is rich in history and culture. Its community spirit and neighborliness provide the perfect backdrop for relaxed living. Nestled in a beautiful valley in Eastern Oregon it offers a quaint and charming downtown area with merchants and services to meet all of your needs. It is rapidly becoming known as an arts and cultural center and has recreational opportunities for all seasons. Western style living at its best is what you can expect when you make Pendleton your home. Here are some highlights.
The PENDLETON ROUNDUP, HAPPY CANYON and HALL OF FAME is a weeklong annual event that includes such activities as a Professional Bull Riding competition and rodeo along with parades, celebrations, Indian Pageants, outdoor markets, concerts and other entertainment. With annual attendance of over 50,000, this event is billed as a "Top 10" rodeo, Round Up is a is a week not to be missed each fall and is attended by people from all around the world.
The PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS has been turning raw wool into fabulous clothing, rugs and blankets since 1909. Don't miss a chance to take the tour and see the process and the weaving then enjoy shopping in their beautiful store.
For all of you history buffs you cannot miss the PENDLETON UNDERGROUND TOURS. Walk in the footsteps of the Chinese laborers when they lived and worked in the underground tunnels that criss-cross the City. You will also be introduced to one of the many brothels that flourished in years past in the City of Pendleton.
The WILDHORSE GAMING RESORT located just 7 miles outside of the city, owned and operated by the Umatilla Confederated Tribes offers everything you would expect in a resort., Choose from a casino with lots of exciting action and entertainment venues, several restaurants, a golf course and an RV park.
Enjoy a real old fashioned chuck wagon dinner complete with a singing cook and story teller at the COYOTE CREEK RANCH. In addition they offer live music for dancing and old west melodramas and just good fun for the whole family.
Be sure to explore the rich Indian culture and heritage of the area by visiting the TAMASTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE. Here is your opportunity to learn about the Indian influence on the westward expansion. Learn about this history through the eyes and history of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes.
For theatre, concerts, symphonies and other cultural events the City of Pendleton owns and operates the VERT AUDITORIUM. This center boasts an 800 seat auditorium as well as a little theatre that seats 150 and is available for meetings as well as performances.
Other attractions not to be missed include the Umatilla Courthouse 100 year old Seth Thomas Clock Tower, the many museums, art centers and antique stores as well as the Friday night Farmers Market and entertainment on Main Street in the downtown area held all summer long.
The Umatilla County Fair is held every year during the first full week of August in the centrally located city of Hermiston. It comes complete with livestock shows, entertainment and a professional rodeo. Gardeners, canners and quilters along with many others enjoy showing their produce and homemade artifacts and taking home a blue ribbon. It's an old fashioned country fair that is not to be missed.
The small towns of Athena, Weston and Adams and Helix, present charming agricultural communities full of history, western traditions and heritage and are located about halfway between Pendleton, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington. The area was first settled by a large German, Irish and English population in the late 1800's with a stagecoach stop and post office in the city of Athena. Athena proudly hosts the annual Caledonian Games which perpetuates Scottish history and includes many traditional events such as the sheep dog trials and stone throw. Weston boasts an annual Pioneer Picnic that has continued for more than 113 years. The event celebrates the Oregon Trail pioneers and many descendants of the original pioneers as well as newcomers enjoy carrying on this tradition. Nearby, the city of Adams, which was also, was founded as a stagecoach stop in 1864 is a great area in which to view wildlife. Close by you can enjoy a 3000 acre dude ranch and resort that offers great family fun and restful vacations. Housing prices are relatively low.
The nearby city of Pilot Rock with a population of 1600 is a small rural community just 15 miles from Pendleton. It was founded in 1876 about the time gold was discovered in the Blue Mountains and offers country living at a modest price. In addition to farming it is home to the Kinzua logging mill. Housing prices are relatively low.
