Canyon City is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Grant County, and is about south of John Day on U.S. Highway 395. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 703.

Geography

Canyon City is along U.S. Route 395 about south of the city of John Day, the John Day River, and U.S. Route 26. It is east of Bend and southeast of Portland.

The city is at an elevation of about .

Climate

This 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, Canyon City has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

History

Canyon City was established in June 1862 as a result of the discovery of gold in Canyon Creek, which flows from the south to meet the John Day River at John Day. As up to 10,000 miners flocked to Whiskey Gulch and other sections of the canyon during the early stages of the rush, land values between Canyon City and John Day rose to about $500 per square yard ($600/m<sup>2</sup>).

The city was platted in 1862 and was chosen as the county seat two years later, when Grant County was created from old Wasco County and old Umatilla County. Canyon City was incorporated in 1891, and voters elected C. W. Parrish as the first mayor.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 703 people, 322 households, and 198 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 355 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.2% White, 2.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

Notable person

  • Joaquin Miller, poet and essayist

See also

  • St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (Canyon City, Oregon)

References

  • Entry for Canyon City in the Oregon Blue Book
  • Canyon City by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce