Editing Sumpter, Oregon

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Sumpter, Oregon
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = The [[Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge|historic dredge]] at Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area recalls Sumpter's [[gold mining]] origins.
| image_map          = Baker_County_Oregon_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Sumpter_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Oregon]]
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Oregon}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Oregon|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Greg Lucas<ref name="Oregon Blue Book">{{cite web|title=Incorporated Cities: Sumpter|work=Oregon Blue Book|publisher=Oregon Secretary of State|url=https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/s-y/sumpter.aspx|year=2021|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = 1898<ref name="Oregon Blue Book"/>
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='41'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 2.18
| area_total_km2     = 5.65
| area_land_sq_mi    = 2.18
| area_land_km2      = 5.65
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_total   = 204
| population_density_km2 = 36.10
| population_density_sq_mi = 93.49
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset         = −08:00
| timezone_DST       = Pacific
| utc_offset_DST     = −07:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|44|46|N|118|11|51|W|type:city(171)_region:US-OR_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft       = 4462
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 97877
| area_code          = [[Area codes 541 and 458|458 and 541]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 41-71000<ref name ="Gazetteer files"/>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2412002<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412002}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://cityofsumpteror.com/}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Sumpter''' is a city in [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker County]], [[Oregon]], United States. The population was 204 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].  Sumpter is named after [[Fort Sumter]] by its founders. The name was inspired by a rock as smooth and round as a cannonball, which reminded a local resident of the [[American Civil War]] and Fort Sumter.

==Names==
Baker County was named for [[Edward D. Baker|Edward Dickinson Baker]], a [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from Oregon who was killed in the [[Battle of Ball's Bluff]] during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McArthur|first=Lewis A.|author-link=Lewis A. McArthur|author2=Lewis L. McArthur|author2-link=Lewis L. McArthur|title=Oregon Geographic Names|orig-year=1928|edition=7th|year=2003|publisher=Oregon Historical Society Press|location=Portland|isbn=0-87595-277-1|pages=45&ndash;46}}</ref> Sumpter, first settled by Euro-Americans during this war, was named after [[Fort Sumter]] in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The fort was often mentioned in war dispatches read by the settlers.<ref name="OGN 922">''Oregon Geographic Names'', pp. 922&ndash;23</ref> An account in the Baker ''Democrat&ndash;Herald'' many decades later reported that a round rock found in the area in the early 1860s had looked to residents like a cannonball and, reinforced by the war news, had reminded them of Fort Sumter.<ref name="OGN 922"/>

In 1883, Joseph D. Young became the first postmaster of Sumpter, and, according to his grandson, was not allowed by the U.S. Post Office to use the old name, ''Sumter''.<ref name="OGN 922"/> Since freight to the region then depended on pack [[mule]]s, Young chose the form ''Sumpter'', which was close to the original spelling and evoked the term [[:wikt:sumpter mule|sumpter mule]].<ref name="OGN 922"/>

== History ==
The community was [[plat]]ted in 1889, and became a mining [[boomtown|boom town]] about 10 years later.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bailey|first=Barbara Ruth|title=Main Street: Northeastern Oregon|publisher=[[Oregon Historical Society]]|year=1982|isbn=0-87595-073-6|page=45}}</ref> Until transportation by rail became feasible in the area, Sumpter was little more than "a huddle of crude log cabins."<ref name="Friedman">{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Ralph|title=Oregon for the Curious|publisher=The Caxton Printers|location=Caldwell, Idaho|year=1982|edition=3rd revised|page=[https://archive.org/details/oregonforcurious00frie/page/202 202]|isbn=0-87004-222-X|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/oregonforcurious00frie/page/202}}</ref>

A [[narrow-gauge railway]] reached Sumpter in 1897. Built by [[David Eccles (businessman)|David C. Eccles]], the [[Sumpter Valley Railway]] (SVRy) ran {{convert|80|mi|km}} from [[Baker City, Oregon|Baker City]] through Sumpter and on to [[Prairie City, Oregon|Prairie City]], which it reached in 1907. Until the line shut down in the 1930s, ranchers, mining interests, and timber companies used it to move freight.<ref name="Culp">{{cite book|last=Culp|first=Edwin D.|title=Stations West: The Story of the Oregon Railways|publisher=Bonanza Books|year=1978|location=New York|pages=91&ndash;95|isbn=0-517-243431}}</ref>

Shortly after the SVRy arrived, the city expanded near a set of deep-shaft gold mines with a combined total of {{convert|12|mi|km}} of tunnels.<ref name="Friedman"/> The population grew to more than 2,000.<ref name="Moffatt"/> Sumpter had electric lights, churches, saloons, a brewery, sidewalks, three newspapers, and an opera house. However, as the mines played out, the city declined even before a devastating fire in 1917.<ref name="Friedman"/>

Dynamite was used to help put out the fire, which destroyed 12 blocks of the town's buildings. A few of the surviving structures remain in the 21st&nbsp;century and are occupied by retail shops.<ref name="Ostertag">{{cite book|title=Backroads of Oregon|last=Ostertag|first=Rhonda|author2=George Ostertag|publisher=Voyageur Press|location=Stillwater, Minnesota|year=2004|pages=116&ndash;17|isbn=0-89658-081-4}}</ref>

==Economy==
Sumpter relies heavily on tourism as a source of income. The town's remaining historic structures, an excursion train that runs along part of the SVRy line, and a state park devoted to a historic gold dredge make the city a tourist destination.<ref name="Ostertag"/>

A {{convert|6|mi|km|0|adj=on}} stretch of the original SVRy has been restored and operates on summer weekends and major holidays from [[Memorial Day]] through the end of September. The excursion line has stations in Sumpter and [[McEwen, Oregon|McEwen]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Visitor Information|publisher=Sumpter Valley Railroad|url=http://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/uploads/3/0/4/8/3048572/svr_2013_brochure.pdf|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> The Sumpter station and part of the line are within the state park, known as the [[Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge|Sumpter Valley Dredge State Historic Area]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area|publisher=Oregon Parks and Recreation Department|url=http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles/publications/sumpter_dredge.pdf|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> The dredge on display in the park was the last of three used to mine gold from surface deposits along the [[Powder River (Oregon)|Powder River]]. It operated here from 1935 through 1954.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area|publisher=Oregon Parks and Recreation Department|url=http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=174|year=2013|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, the area was the location for the [[reality television]] show ''[[Ghost Mine (TV series)|Ghost Mine]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hibbard|first=James|title=Syfy Orders 3 Shows: Ghosts, Ghosts, Ghosts|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/28/syfy-3-ghost-shows/|work=Inside TV|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> The plot involves a team of people looking for gold and ghosts in the "Crescent Mine" near Sumpter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=''Ghost Mine'' Renewed for Second Season by Syfy|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/10/ghost-mine-renewed-for-second-season-by-syfy/177350/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414071112/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/10/ghost-mine-renewed-for-second-season-by-syfy/177350/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2013|publisher=TV by the Numbers|date=April 10, 2013|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> According to a ''Baker City Herald'' story picked up by the [[Associated Press]] and Portland television station [[KATU]], most of the filming was done at the Buckeye Mine group near [[Bourne, Oregon|Bourne]], about {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} north of Sumpter along Cracker Creek.<ref name="KATU">{{cite news|last=Jacoby|first=Jayson|title=TV Show Shot in Oregon Combines Gold Mining with Ghost Hunting|url=http://www.katu.com/living/travel/185718362.html|date=January 7, 2013|publisher=Fisher Communications|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref>

In 2020, Season 11 of [[Discovery Channel|Discovery's]] TV series ''[[Gold Rush (TV series)|Gold Rush]]'' was filmed in the area. The show features rookie miner Fred Lewis,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oregonian/OregonLive|first=Kristi Turnquist {{!}} The|date=2020-10-29|title=Another Northwest miner joins 'Gold Rush,' looking for gold in Oregon|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2020/10/another-northwest-miner-joins-gold-rush-looking-for-gold-in-oregon.html|access-date=2021-03-03|website=oregonlive|language=en}}</ref> a veteran, in his attempts to mine gold with his former military friends.

==Geography==
[[File:Sumpter Oregon.jpg|thumb|Main Street]]
Sumpter, about {{convert|4400|ft|m}} above sea level,<ref name=gnis/> is near the [[Wallowa–Whitman National Forest]], the [[Blue Mountains (Pacific Northwest)|Blue Mountains]], and a subrange of the Blue Mountains, the [[Elkhorn Mountains (Oregon)|Elkhorn Mountains]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer|publisher=DeLorme|location=Yarmouth, Maine|year=2008|edition=7th|page=78|isbn=978-0-89933-347-2}}</ref> McCully Fork and Cracker Creek meet to form the Powder River near Sumpter.<ref name="ODOT map">{{cite web|title=Oregon Transportation Map: Sumpter|url=http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TDATA/gis/docs/citymaps/Sumpter.pdf|publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation|year=2012|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=U.S. Gazetteer Files 2010: Place List|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_41.txt|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref>

Sumpter is along [[Oregon Route 410]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=oregon+route+410&hl=en&sll=44.145447,-120.583402&sspn=4.477964,9.129639&t=h&hnear=Oregon+410,+Sumpter,+Baker,+Oregon+97877&z=13|title=Oregon 410|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> also known as the Sumpter Highway.<ref name="ODOT map"/> By highway, the city is {{convert|26|mi|km}} from Baker City, {{convert|31|mi|km}} from [[Interstate 84 (west)|Interstate 84]], and {{convert|333|mi|km}} from Portland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumpter Community Profile|url=http://www.orinfrastructure.org/profiles/Sumpter/|publisher=Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority|year=2009|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref> A {{convert|106|mi|km|adj=on}} loop drive known as the Elkhorn Scenic Byway passes through Sumpter, connecting to [[Oregon Route 7]] at its intersection with Route 410.<ref name="Ostertag"/>

===Climate===
This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Sumpter has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=34353&cityname=Sumpter%2C+Oregon%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Sumpter, Oregon]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 261
|1890= 91
|1900= 2216
|1910= 643
|1920= 219
|1930= 154
|1940= 420
|1950= 146
|1960= 96
|1970= 120
|1980= 133
|1990= 119
|2000= 171
|2010= 204
|2020= 204
|footnote=source:<ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/><ref name="Moffatt">{{cite book|last=Moffatt|first=Riley Moore|title=Population History of Western U.S. Cities and Towns, 1850&ndash;1990|location=Lanham, Maryland|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=1996|page=216|isbn=978-0-8108-3033-2}}</ref><ref name="2000 Census">{{cite web|title=2000 Census: Sumpter City, Oregon|work=American FactFinder|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF1_DP1&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212212838/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_00_SF1_DP1&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:41&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 204 people, 119 households, and 65 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was about {{convert|94|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 307 housing units at an average density of about {{convert|141|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was about 92% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1% of the population.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-21}}</ref>

There were 119 households, of which about 7% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 51% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together; 2.5% had a female householder with no husband present; less than 1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45% were non-families. About 40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.71 and the average family size was 2.22.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

The median age in the city was about 62 years. About 6% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 8% were from 25 to 44; 49% were from 45 to 64, and 34% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54% male and 46% female.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

==See also==
*[[List of ghost towns in Oregon]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/s-y/sumpter.aspx Entry for Sumpter] in the ''[[Oregon Blue Book]]''
* [https://cityofsumpteror.com/ Sumpter, Oregon, website]
* [http://www.westernmininghistory.com/gallery/oregon/sumpter/modern/towns/1/ Sumpter photo gallery from Western Mining History.com]

{{Baker County, Oregon}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Baker County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Cities in Oregon]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]
[[Category:1917 fires in the United States]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:American gold rushes]]