1893 Union County Courthouse, Union, Oregon, c. 1893

This Union County Courthouse was built in 1893, when the county seat was located in the town of Union. Union County had been created in 1864 by dividing Baker County, as eastern Oregon was growing in population.

Initially, La Grande was designated as the county seat, and the courthouse occupied rental spaces there. However, the citizens of Union felt they deserved the courthouse as their town was the center of population for Union County. In an 1872 election Union won out and the county seat was moved to Union, where again the courthouse was located in a rental building.

In 1893, this pictured courthouse was built in Union. However, it was not to prevail indefinitely, as in 1904 another vote was held which resulted in the county seat moving back to La Grande, where it has remained ever since.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.