The historic town of Echo is located in northeast Oregon, eight miles south of Hermiston and 20 miles west of Pendleton amid rolling farmland along the banks of the Umatilla River.
While not visible from the freeway, Echo is only a mile from exit 188, where I- 84 and Hwy. 395 meet. The town's population is 715 within the city limits and 1,200 within the library service area. Echo is known for its rich history and many historic sites. J.H. Koontz platted the town in 1880. He named it for his then three year old daughter, Echo.
More than a century later, Echo Koontz Miller is featured in our city logo.
The town of Echo, Oregon, has seen centuries of history unfold. On this walking tour, you'll find out how the area was stewarded by the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes, then further shaped by westward expansion, before becoming the charming tree-lined haven it is known as today. Check out the audio tour here: voicemap.me/echo
The Oregon Trail passes through Echo. Emigrants crossed the Umatilla River and camped at a site known as the Lower Crossing. Sometimes the emigrants would camp here for a few days to refresh their animals, do laundry or trade before starting across the dry, dusty desert to the west. This campsite is now the site of the Fort Henrietta Park, a National Historic Oregon Trail site. Exhibits at the park include a covered wagon display, interpretive panels with historic information on the trail and town history, Oregon Trails signs, antique fire equipment and RV Park and campground.
The Utilla Indian Agency was built near the crossing in 1851. It was the first agency for the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla tribes. Many emigrant diaries mention this first building, as it was the first frame building they had seen since leaving Fort Laramie.
"... saw at the river a house. The first building that looked civilized since Laramie." — A.E. Hines, September 1853, Oregon Trail Diary on Utilla Indian Agency
A post office was operated from the agency in 1852 and the agency also served as a trading post. It was destroyed during the Yakima Indian Wars and Fort Henrietta, a militia stockade, was built on the site of the "still smoldering agency" in 1855. The agency/fort site is now an archaeological site excavated from 1985 until 1990.
Emigrants began leaving the trail and settling the Echo area c. 1860, making the Echo Meadows one of the first agricultural sites in Umatilla County. Hand dug irrigation ditches insured water to grow alfalfa, corn and other crops during these early years. Later, the Echo area became the center of a huge sheep ranching area.
While settlement began in the 1860's, a town was not platted until 1880. J.H. Koontz and W. Brassfield platted the town in 1880 and named it for Koontz' 3-year old daughter, Echo. The railroad which was built through Echo in 1883 brought prosperity. By 1907 the town was a major shipping point for wool, cattle and sheep with a thriving business district. The town was incorporated in 1904.
Visitors to Echo can step back in time through any of ten National Register of Historic Places' buildings in the city. Click below to learn more about each location including, history, hours of operation, maps and directions.
Arlington House (Echo Hotel Restaurant-Lounge) National Register of Historical Places | 131 W. Main Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
Built by J.H. Koontz in 1882 and was added to the National Register in 1997, the building is a Greek Revival style. The porch and balcony in the historic photo c. 1950 were pulled down by a runaway horse and wagon sometime after that. The hotel closed in the late 1960s. Some former employees believe the building is haunted and it does have an interesting history. Maps
Cunha Farmstead National Register of Historical Places | 33263 Oregon Trail Road, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
The Cunha Farmstead site consists of thirteen contributing buildings. A fourteenth, the original Umatilla building, is also associated with the site. The owner, Joseph Cunha, was a Portuguese immigrant from the Azores, who came to America as a stowaway. Maps
Echo City Hall National Register of Historical Places | 20 S. Bonanza Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
Built in 1916, Echo City Hall underwent renovation that was completed in 2000. The building has many of its original historic features. In addition to city offices, the building houses the Echo Public Library, Echo Community Center and other community services. Maps
Echo Bank Building and Historical Museum National Register of Historical Places | 230 W. Main Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
The Echo Bank Building, constructed in 1920 by Joseph Cunha, was opened in 1921. It is an example of early 20th-century commercial architecture. The bank is now a museum. The bank as a business, was incorporated in 1905 by local ranchers and in 1933, though still solvent, it closed. The building was used as a cash exchange and later as an insurance office. In 1980, Joseph C. Andrews transformed it into the museum it is today. Maps
Echo Methodist-Episcopal Church National Register of Historical Places | 21 N. Bonanza Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
The Echo Methodist-Episcopal Church was built in 1886 on land donated by J.H. & Cynthia Koontz. Before the church was constructed, services & revivals were held in a grove of trees called Spike's Grove. In 1910 the Koontz family donated more land and a wing was added to accommodate the growing congregation. Maps
Edwards Building National Register of Historical Places | 320 W. Main Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
Built in the 1860s, this commercial building housed a number of businesses including the Echo News. The building may have been moved from Umatilla City in the 1880s. The Linden tree in front of the building is on Echo's Heritage Tree List and was planted by W.H. Crawford. Maps
Koontz Building National Register of Historical Places | 141 N. Main Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-0421
Built in 1904-05 by J.H. Koontz, this beaux-arts styled building served as a general store and feed store. Then came the O.B. & Bob Store. At some point the building was converted to a restaurant, then bowling alley. The city of Echo sold the building in 2009. Renovation was recently completed and the building was unveiled. Maps
Koontz House National Register of Historical Places | 210 N. Dupont Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
This Koontz House site has four contributing buildings. Built in 1881 in the Italianate style, the house is one of the finest examples of its architectural period. The features of the house combine to denote it as one of the finest of its time. Maps
Saint Peter's Catholic Church National Register of Historical Places since 1997 | 33208 Marble Street, Echo, Oregon 97826 | Further information: 541.303.5730 | www.echoheritage.org | [email protected]
Photos by Gary West and Vance Colburn
First dedicated in 1913, this uniquely beautiful church was the religious home of area Catholics for decades. Early immigrants wanted a place built in the Portuguese Colonial Revival style and for some time, this was their Mission home staffed with largely Irish [mostly Capuchin ] Franciscans based in nearby Hermiston. The building features a stucco façade, ornate statuary on a faux marble altar from Daprato Rigali Studios in Chicago, as well as a recently refurbished c. 1900 pump organ [Ser. No. 61080] built by Burdett Organ Company of Freeport, Illinois.
Along the west side there are several stained-glass windows that were gifted to Echo from Our Lady Of Angels in the 1960’s. The dedication written there is for an endeared Fr. Dominic O’Connor (1883 – 1935) who has a fascinating biography as, among other things an IRA chaplain, author, convict, teacher, student, a person considered “always a gentleman” and, in his last assignment as a Priest, served as Pastor at Our Lady of Angels. Fr. Dominic was so beloved at home and here in Oregon that, in 1958, his remains were respectfully repatriated in Rochestown Cemetery, Cork, Ireland, …and with much ceremony.
St. Peter’s is currently in the custody of the local Echo Heritage Association; dedicated to preservation and ongoing service of the site as meeting place and historical icon.
Umatilla Masonic Lodge Hall National Register of Historical Places | 20 S. Dupont Street, Echo, Oregon | Info: (541) 376-6038
The Masonic Lodge was built circa 1868 in Umatilla Landing, making it the second oldest Masonic Lodge in Oregon. The Masonic Lodge as well as at least three other commercial buildings were relocated to Echo when rising waters threatened the town. The Lodge was taken apart, the pieces marked, loaded on a railroad car, and moved to Echo in 1906. Maps
- Diary/Journal Excepts of Lower Crossing
- Account of Yakima Indian War and Fort Henrietta by Volunteer, TJ Small
- Echo Biennial Report, 1914-16
- Early Echo Map
- Echo Street Names
- Echo Heritage Trail Guide
- Vintage Clothing Guide
- Echo Area Post Offices and Post Masters
- Historical Gallery
- All Galleries
- Cultural and Historic Inventory
The Echo Story, Volume I Early Days to Arrival of the Railroad
The Echo Story, Volume II The New Town Flourishes
Each title can be purchased for $15 plus shipping from:
Fort Henrietta Foundation P.O. Box 426 Echo, OR 97826 (541) 376-6038
The Floral City of Umatilla County
America in Bloom Award Recipient (3)
Official Flower: Dahlia
Official Tree: Red Horse Chestnut
Sponsorship: Kopacz Nursery & Florist, Hermiston
Echo is the Floral City of Umatilla County. The Dahlia is our official flower and the Red Horse Chestnut is our official tree, as reflected in the recently dedicated Dorn Tree in Fort Henrietta Park. Echo remains Oregon’s smallest Tree City USA designee, an Arbor Day Foundation honor dating back to 1989.
City Floral Display Guides
Click any thumbnail image at the bottom to view our ever-growing collection of city floral guides in PDF format. You'll quickly see the important role that floral beautification plays in the city's identity and renassaisance.
America in Bloom
The city of Echo was an America in Bloom Small Cities' winner in 2009, 2010 and 2013. As a three time winner, Echo was honored with an AIB Circle of Champions award in 2013. An Oregon Heritage Award followed in 2009.
Partner and Sponsor
Kopacz Nursery in Hermiston has been our primary sponsor and a driving force behind the city's participation. Tanya Kopacz-Hoeft selects the plants and plants the floral displays for the public areas around City Hall, Main and Thielsen Streets in her Kopacz Greenhouses. Her artistic selection of plants and colors gains more appreciation by visitors and locals each year.
The city has added landscaping along Main and Thielsen Streets, adopted a downtown plan (raising grant funds to implement it), added flowers in parks, Main Street, around City Hall and at the golf course. Plantings have been diversified. Historical projects such as the Farm Equipment Display on North Thielsen have been added and improved.
In 2011, grants funded painting of equipment and added signage. Grants and donations provided the new entry signs that feature artwork depicting the image of Echo Koontz. In 2010, 17 interpretive panels were added downtown to create a Museum of the Streets.
City Beautification
The city has a beautification contest to recognize efforts in private gardens and commercial spaces. Winners are announced during National Night Out each summer.
- America in Bloom Guide
- Oregon Trail Arboretum Guide
- Perennials Guide
- 2015-16 America in Bloom Photo Inset
- 2015 America in Bloom Evaluation Form
- 2014 America in Bloom Evaluation Form
- 2013 America in Bloom Evaluation Form
- Echo Gallery
- All Galleries
Floral Displays Guides
Click to view guides or visit our publications page.
Echo Floral Guide, Volume I October, 2013
'The Echo' Monthly Newsletter
View below archived editions of our city newsletter. The Echo was published twelve times a year and is a source of timely news about the city's issues, planning and events.
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Echo: Historic Downtown
National Register of Historical Places
20 S. Bonanza Street
Echo, Oregon
Info: (541) 376-6038
In 1920 downtown Echo was a bustling center with two commercial streets and a railroad right-of-way filled with businesses such as warehouses, a wool scouring plant and stockyards.
Today, Echo's downtown is a work-in-progress; a mix of historic buildings and complimentary in-fill. The railroad property may be vacant, but it offers a great deal of development potential for interested entrepreneurs. The downtown retains an historic look and ambience with seven National Register of Historic Places' buildings and a dozen other locally recognized historic buildings.
Businesses
Echo Community Center
Echo Historical Museum
Echo Community Church
His Design Second Hand Store
Sno Road Winery / Echo West Vineyard Office
H&P Cafe
Oregon Railway and Navigation Co. Railroad Museum
U.S. Post Office
Echo Secured Storage
Honey of Life SPA
Echo Fort Storage
Wild Bleu Yonder
Others
Apartment Buildings
City Parks
Fire Hall
Lodge Halls
Mini-Storage Businesses
RV Parks
Downtown Restoration Projects
Three of Echo's downtown buildings show the great potential that restored historic buildings offer a community, both in unique architectural style and functionality:
The Echo Community Center was restored from the 1916 city hall building to create a modern city hall, library and auditorium-ballroom while retaining the historical look and feel of the original building. The building also attracts visitors who enjoy historic displays of vintage clothing, Native American artifacts, artwork, Fort Henrietta-Utilla Indian Agency archaeological site displays, historic photographs and many other historic displays related to Echo's History.
The Piercy family has restored a c. 1870 building that has been used as a grocery store, and school house, giving it new life as their ranch and vineyard office.
Brie Piercy and Angel Ledesma completed renovation of the Echo meat market and grocery building in the fall of 2006 and opened the Red Express. The Red Express now houses a bakery and deli-restaurant that offers an upscale, yet homey atmosphere for breakfast, lunch or an early dinner, or to enjoy the wide selection of northwest wines and beers.
The Future of Downtown Echo
Echo's downtown offers many opportunities. Over seven acres of undeveloped land is located along the Union Pacific Railroad and State Highway 320 on Echo's Thielsen and Main Streets. There are other buildings and lots ready for infill on Main Street. Rental and property prices in Echo are much lower than those found in surrounding towns. Utility rates and connection fees are reasonable.
In July 2007, the city and businesses adopted a downtown plan funded by an Oregon Department of Transportation grant. The plan focuses on enhancing and beautifying Echo's downtown while retaining the historic look and ambience that makes Echo and its downtown unique.
Echo has been involved in the America in Bloom program since 2006 and a number of improvements to parks, roadside landscaping and floral displays have been added as part of this project.
Visitors to Downtown
The downtown has a number of historic attractions for visitors. A brochure provides a walking tour of 23 historic buildings and sites. The Echo Historical Museum is open weekends from April through October. The Echo Community Center at City Hall has displays of vintage clothing, Native American artifacts, historic photos, artifacts from the Fort Henrietta-Utilla Indian Agency site and other historical displays.
Fort Henrietta Park is a National Register of Historic Places site with a Covered Wagon Museum and Antique Fire Equipment Museum. These unmanned museums and displays have push button controllers that provide information. Displays open dusk to dark.
Photos & Media
Our interactive photo and media galleries bring historic Echo to life in crisp and vivid detail.
Click below to to view the gallery which contains images included on this page. Browse our Galleries' home to access all images.
About Echo
City Location
County: Umatilla
Nearby City: Hermiston, 8 mi.
Major Highway: I-84, 1 mile.
Located 188 miles east of Portland, the City of Echo is situated along the Umatilla River within a tree-lined valley known as the Echo Meadows. Hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, golf, boating, bird-watching and other nature activities abound. Echo is a popular stop for Oregon Trail enthusiasts and other history buffs.
Population
City of Echo: 705
Echo Library Service Area: 1,200
Umatilla County: 72,190
History
Established: 1880
Railroad Arrived: 1883
Incorporated: 1904
Climate
Elevation: 638 ft.
Average Monthly High: 74 F
Average Monthly Low: 41 F
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: January
Driest Month: July
Wettest Month: December
Average Annual Precipitation: 9.060 in.
Average July Humidity: 34%
Average January Humidity: 77%
Points of Interest
Museums: 2
Historical Places: 10
Oregon Trail Sites: 3
Golf Course: Echo Hills Golf Club
Wineries: Sno Road Winery and Echo Ridge Cellars
Campground: Ft. Henrietta RV Park and Campground
Designations
Arbor Day Foundation: Tree City USA
City Motto: Echo, Where History Blooms
City Tree: Red Horsechestnut
Getting Here
From I-84, exit 188, head south on Thielsen Road for 1 mi. Turn right on Main Street and proceed into the historic downtown area.
Boise, Idaho: 242 mi.
Kennewick, Washington: 41 mi.
Pendleton, Oregon: 20 mi.
About Oregon Trail Arboretum
The arboretum was established in 1993 by the City of Echo with grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust and Oregon State Urban Forestry Program. An Echo Elementary 5th grade class won a contest to name the arboretum with their submittal of the name: Oregon Trail Arboretum.
Anodized aluminum markers and interpretive panels were added in 1998 thanks to a grant from the Kinsman Foundation. Most of the established trees and shrubs have markers, but some of the newer trees do not. The markers provide information on the tree’s common name, botanical name, height and width, and other notes. The interpretive panels tell about the history of Echo’s trees and the city’s Urban Forestry Program.
The Red Horsechestnut was designated as the city’s official tree in 2009. The trees located along Gerone Street and the football field are also part of the arboretum. In 2003, the Gene Berry Memorial Gazebo was constructed and dedicated.