Learn About Bates, Oregon

Bates Overview

Bates is a former company town located in Grant County, Oregon, United States.
The town was established in the early 1900s by the Edward Hines Lumber Company to support its logging operations in the area.
Bates was once a thriving community with a population of over 2,000 residents, complete with a school, hospital, and company store.
However, the town declined after the closure of the lumber mill in the 1970s, leading to the abandonment of many of its buildings.
Today, Bates is a ghost town that serves as a reminder of Oregon's logging history.

Bates was named after the president of the Edward Hines Lumber Company, George Bates.
The town was once known as the "Sawdust Capital of the World" due to the large amount of sawdust produced by the lumber mill.
Bates was featured in the 1978 film "Stand by Me," which was based on a novella by Stephen King.

George Bates - President of the Edward Hines Lumber Company and the namesake of the town.
Stephen King - Author of the novella "The Body," which inspired the film "Stand by Me."

Abandoned Lumber Mill - Explore the remains of the old lumber mill that once powered the town's economy.
Ghost Town Buildings - Walk through the abandoned buildings of Bates and imagine what life was like in its heyday.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Visit this nearby national monument to see fossilized plants and animals from millions of years ago.
Strawberry Mountain Wilderness - Hike through this wilderness area to see stunning mountain views and pristine alpine lakes.

Bates reached its peak population in the 1940s with over 2,000 residents.
The population steadily declined after the closure of the lumber mill, leading to the town's abandonment in the 1970s.

Bates is located in Grant County, Oregon, in the Blue Mountains region of the state.
The town is surrounded by dense forests and rugged terrain, making it an ideal location for logging operations.

The economy of Bates was once driven by the timber industry, with the Edward Hines Lumber Company employing most of the town's residents.
After the closure of the lumber mill, the town's economy collapsed, leading to the abandonment of Bates.

Bates has a rich logging history that is reflected in its abandoned buildings and remnants of the old lumber mill.
The town's decline serves as a reminder of the boom-and-bust cycle that many company towns experienced in the early 20th century.

Abandoned Lumber Mill - The remnants of the lumber mill are a notable landmark in Bates, showcasing the town's industrial past.
Company Store - The old company store in Bates is a reminder of the town's former prosperity and the central role of the lumber company in the community.