Echo has a vast number of historical buildings and sites for a town of less than 700 people. Twenty buildings are on the National Register of Historic places. The Echo Historical Museum is housed in one, a Beauxarts-style marble and terracotta former bank building. The museum has antiques, Indian Artifacts, historical newspapers & photos, pioneer relics & much more; City Hall is also on the National Register. It was built in 1916 and fully restored in 2000 to house city offices, a ballroom/auditorium, library and historical displays and documents. A brochure with information about Echo's historical buildings is available by contacting city hall. The brochure serves as a self-guided walking tour.
Other museums include the Chinese House OR&N Railroad Museum (1880-railroad artifacts, tools, old photos, etc.) Covered Wagon & Antique Fire Equipment Displays at the Fort Henrietta Park. These two displays are in an L shaped building in the park which the public can view from dawn to dusk. Push button controllers tell visitors about the displays. A replica Fort Henrietta Blockhouse and other historic displays are in this park. Visitors can also see several sites where Oregon Trail wagon ruts are still visible
Echo has a vast number of historical buildings and sites for a town of less than 700 people. Twenty buildings are on the National Register of Historic places. The Echo Historical Museum is housed in one, a Beauxarts-style marble and terracotta former bank building. The museum has antiques, Indian Artifacts, historical newspapers & photos, pioneer relics & much more; City Hall is also on the National Register. It was built in 1916 and fully restored in 2000 to house city offices, a ballroom/auditorium, library and historical displays and documents. A brochure with information about Echo's historical buildings is available by contacting city hall. The brochure serves as a self-guided walking tour.
Other museums include the Chinese House OR&N Railroad Museum (1880-railroad artifacts, tools, old photos, etc.) Covered Wagon & Antique Fire Equipment Displays at the Fort Henrietta Park. These two displays are in an L shaped building in the park which the public can view from dawn to dusk. Push button controllers tell visitors about the displays. A replica Fort Henrietta Blockhouse and other historic displays are in this park. Visitors can also see several sites where Oregon Trail wagon ruts are still visible
Echo has been a Tree City USA (National Arbor Day & Oregon Forestry Dept. Program) since 1989 and remains the smallest Tree City in Oregon. You will see a very diverse number of tree cultivars planted around this town. The Oregon Trail Arboretum was established about 1993 as an effort to plant a diverse number of trees and see which cultivars and varieties do well in the hot dry summers, cold winters and windy conditions of Eastern Oregon. Over 100 varieties of trees and shrubs are planted on this site adjacent to the School Athletic field. Interpretive panels outside the Arboretum Gazebo tell about the history of trees and urban forestry in Echo. While walking down the paths looking at the trees, you will probably notice squirrels, a large variety of birds and the Osprey that nest each year on the old Football Field light pole next to the arboretum. The arboretum plantings include the trees along the north & south sides of the athletic field. Those interested in more information on the arboretum or joining a friends of the arboretum, can contact Diane Berry at city hall, PO Box 9, Echo, OR 97826, 541-376-8411
Echo has been a Tree City USA (National Arbor Day & Oregon Forestry Dept. Program) since 1989 and remains the smallest Tree City in Oregon. You will see a very diverse number of tree cultivars planted around this town. The Oregon Trail Arboretum was established about 1993 as an effort to plant a diverse number of trees and see which cultivars and varieties do well in the hot dry summers, cold winters and windy conditions of Eastern Oregon. Over 100 varieties of trees and shrubs are planted on this site adjacent to the School Athletic field. Interpretive panels outside the Arboretum Gazebo tell about the history of trees and urban forestry in Echo. While walking down the paths looking at the trees, you will probably notice squirrels, a large variety of birds and the Osprey that nest each year on the old Football Field light pole next to the arboretum. The arboretum plantings include the trees along the north & south sides of the athletic field. Those interested in more information on the arboretum or joining a friends of the arboretum, can contact Diane Berry at city hall, PO Box 9, Echo, OR 97826, 541-376-8411
Echo has a lovely and challenging 9 hole golf course called Echo Hills. It is located on the hills above town with views of the Blue Mountains, Buttes, River Valley & alfalfa & wheat fields. There are also two parks that are worth a visit. The Fort Henrietta Park has historical displays, a large variety of trees, river access, an rv park, playground and skatepark; The George Park, behind city hall, has a uniquely designed gazebo, a rose garden, courtyard with a pond, a widely diverse selection of trees, and is often used for weddings & receptions.
The City of Echo publishes several brochures of interest to visitors which can be picked up at city hall & Oregon Vistor Centers or if you contact city hall 541-376-8411, you can obtain them via the mail.
1. Oregon Trail & Historical Sites of the Echo area. This guide provides directions to find several Oregon Trail Sites around Echo, museums, historical cemeteries and other historical sites. The BLM Echo Meadows Site, Rosenburg Rd. Meadows Site & Corral Springs feature wagon ruts. The Echo Cemetery is worth a visit because of its wonderful view of the area and the large collection of old and lovely headstones dating from the 1870s to the present
2. Oregon Trail Arboretum. This brochure provides information on the city's
arboretum located at 801 E. Gerone, next to the school's athletic field and
the 130 plus trees growing there, etc.
3. Echo, Oregon, Site of Fort Henrietta. This brochure is an overview of
historical informatin about Echo, historic buildings, archaeological sites,
museums, Oregon Trail ruts and general historic information about Echo.
4. Echoes from the Past: This brochure provides a walking tour of the 10
National Register buildings and sites in and around Echo as well as 11 other
historic buildings in the downtown area. It gives a brief description of
each site, architectural information and historical information, as well as
a map.
5. Echo Hills. This brochure provides information on Echo's scenic and
challenging golf course and the history of the course. The history dates
back to the Depression and CCC boys who moved the clubhouse across the
valley to its present location and the initial course with its sand greens
and fairways carved through the sagebrush.
The City of Echo publishes several brochures of interest to visitors which can be picked up at city hall & Oregon Vistor Centers or if you contact city hall 541-376-8411, you can obtain them via the mail.
1. Oregon Trail & Historical Sites of the Echo area. This guide provides directions to find several Oregon Trail Sites around Echo, museums, historical cemeteries and other historical sites. The BLM Echo Meadows Site, Rosenburg Rd. Meadows Site & Corral Springs feature wagon ruts. The Echo Cemetery is worth a visit because of its wonderful view of the area and the large collection of old and lovely headstones dating from the 1870s to the present
2. Oregon Trail Arboretum. This brochure provides information on the city's
arboretum located at 801 E. Gerone, next to the school's athletic field and
the 130 plus trees growing there, etc.
3. Echo, Oregon, Site of Fort Henrietta. This brochure is an overview of
historical informatin about Echo, historic buildings, archaeological sites,
museums, Oregon Trail ruts and general historic information about Echo.
4. Echoes from the Past: This brochure provides a walking tour of the 10
National Register buildings and sites in and around Echo as well as 11 other
historic buildings in the downtown area. It gives a brief description of
each site, architectural information and historical information, as well as
a map.
5. Echo Hills. This brochure provides information on Echo's scenic and
challenging golf course and the history of the course. The history dates
back to the Depression and CCC boys who moved the clubhouse across the
valley to its present location and the initial course with its sand greens
and fairways carved through the sagebrush.