What is the history of Heppner, Oregon?
Heppner was designated the temporary county seat at the time Morrow County was created and narrowly defeated Lexington, OregonLexington in the election held in 1886 to determine the permanent county seat. It was incorporated the following year. Heppner was almost destroyed by a flood on June 14, 1903. The flood was precipitated by a sudden cloudburst and accompanying hail that caused a dam collapse and flash flooding. A wall of water and debris swept down the creeks and canyons and through the city. It has been estimated that 225 people or a quarter of the city’s population was drowned. Property damage was reported at nearly $1,000,000. The nearby cities of Ione, OregonIone and Lexington also sustained significant damage.
