Granite, Oregon

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Granite is a city in Grant County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. The city had a population of 30 in 2020, down from 38 in 2010.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/> As of 2020, it is the fourth-smallest incorporated city by population in Oregon. The smaller cities were Shaniko (pop. 30), Lonerock (pop. 25), and nearby Greenhorn (pop. 3).

History

First established by miners after the discovery of gold along Granite Creek on July 4, 1862, the area was originally called Granite Creek Falls. During the following year, a settlement called Granite City was established about Template:Convert downstream of where Granite City is now. It was moved to its current location in 1867 and renamed Independence after the date—July 4, or Independence Day—of the earlier gold discovery. However, when the community's post office was established in 1878, it could not use the name Independence because that name was already used by another Oregon city. Instead, the name Granite was chosen. The post office closed in 1957, but the city retained the name. The creek takes its name from the granite rocks that are common to the area.<ref name=OGN>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Ah Hee Diggings are located about one-mile north of the town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1878, miner and business owner A. G. Tabor became the first postmaster.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce">Template:Cite web</ref> Grant Thornburg became the first mayor after the city incorporated in 1900.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/>

A 1939 interview "Occupational and Social Life of Granite" recorded by William "Bill" Haight as part of the Federal Writers' Project, described the town and surroundings of Granite.<ref>Occupational and Social Life of Granite, Oregon, a March 24, 1939, interview from the Library of Congress</ref>

Economy

In 1942, during World War II, the War Production Board shut down gold mining in the United States via Order No. L-208.<ref name="gold timeline">Template:Cite web</ref> The board deemed gold mining to be non-essential to the war effort, and it wanted gold miners to mine "essential" metals instead.<ref name="gold timeline"/> Since Granite depended so heavily on gold mining, its economy collapsed when the mines shut down.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/> Telephone and electric services to Granite ceased after the war.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/> From 86 residents in 1940, the city's population dropped to 2 in 1960.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/>

By 1990, the population had grown again to 10.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/> In 2000, the population reached 24,<ref name="Moffatt"/> and telephone service was restored.<ref name="Chamber of Commerce"/> As of 2002, Granite had two employers: The Outback—which sold food, fuel, and supplies—and The Lodge.<ref name="Infrastructure Authority"/>

Template:As of the population remains at 24. As of 2025, the Outback has shut down and the Lodge is shut down and for sale.

Geography

Granite is in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon.<ref name="Infrastructure Authority">Template:Cite web</ref> It is Template:Convert west of Baker City by highway and Template:Convert east-southeast of Portland.<ref name="Infrastructure Authority"/> According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway, a Template:Convert closed-loop route mainly through forests in the Elkhorn Mountains, passes through Granite. Other communities along the route are Baker City, Haines, and Sumpter,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the latter about Template:Convert southeast of Granite.<ref name="Friedman">Template:Cite book</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 38 people, 22 households, and 13 families residing in the city. The population density was about Template:Convert. There were 88 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was about 95% White and 5% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were about 5% of the population.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

There were 22 households, of which about 5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% were married couples living together, 5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41% were non-families. Thirty-two percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was about 1.7 and the average family size was about 2.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

The median age in the city was 63 years. About 3% of residents were under the age of 18; none was between the ages of 18 and 24; 3% were from 25 to 44; 50% were from 45 to 64; and 45% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 58% male and 42% female.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

2000 census

File:Granite18.jpg

Sign describing Granite's origin

As of the census of 2000, there were 24 people, 15 households, and 9 families residing in the city. The population density was about 60 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 74 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 100% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4% of the population.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

There were 15 households, out of which none had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60% were married couples living together, none had a female householder with no husband present, and 40% were non-families. Forty percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was about 1.6 and the average family size was 2.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21% from 25 to 44, 67% from 45 to 64, and 13% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 118 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118 males.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

The median income for a household in the city was $15,625, and the median income for a family was $20,625. Males had a median income of $11,250 versus $6,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,024. About 20% of families and 36% of the population were below the poverty line, including 100% of those 65 and older.<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>

See also

• List of ghost towns in Oregon

External links

• Grant County Chamber of Commerce entry for Granite Template:Webarchive
• Entry for Granite in the Oregon Blue Book