Road Trip Highlight: The Delights of Baker City

I recently had the opportunity to drive with my children to southern Idaho, passing some of my favorite places. The joy was in the journey and we took respite from the continuous world of our automobile to enjoy the brisk winter delights of Baker City, Oregon—The (self-proclaimed) Premier Rural Living Experience in the Pacific Northwest.

Main Street - Baker City

I must begin with two caveats: I adore nearly every place and I am quite partial to Baker City. This small sojourn only cemented my adoration for one of the most, if not the most, attractive city forms of any small town in the Inland Northwest. Honestly, what other town of its size offers so much! The second stop in our trip, Baker City, for those not familiar, is a modest small town (pop. 9,439) located on I-84 on Oregon's northeastern region. Nestled up against the Blue and Wallowa Mountains, some of the most beautiful rolling highlands, Baker City was an important stop on the Oregon Trail.

Powder River, from a bridge on the Leo Adler Parkway

Baker City has obviously changed in 140 years, but some things endure. Our covered wagon was a mini-van and our trail was the interstate. While sadly I always seem to pass through Baker City during the winter, a more moderate temperature allowed my children and I to stop at Geiser Pollman Park to burn a few under-used calories. Baker City exhibits so many of the place principles, but foremost are accessibility and connectivity. Geiser Pollman Park has a museum on one side and connects on the other to Baker's delightful public library right along the Powder River running through town, stitched through by the Leo Adler Parkway which extends out on a quiet path one direction and parallel to Main Street on the other. Main Street is attractive, with beautiful architecture anchored by the Geiser Grand Hotel, City Hall and the impressive art deco Baker Tower.

Geiser Grand Hotel, a national
historic building and one of local pride

Baker Tower, what town under 10,000
has architecture like this?!

Moreover on this venture, I was able to engage some friendly locals, like "The Neighbor" Mike Morrissey (oxfarm@oregontrail.net), a handyman, proud life-long Baker City resident and true ambassador of his city. He explained many of the buildings on Main Street and let me know some of the developments planned, as well as further increased my appetite for more Baker City. I hope to plan a long weekend vacation there this summer; give it a try—savor Baker City, a different flavor of small town.