Elgin, the county's northernmost city, sits tucked against the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast corner of Oregon. Located on the banks of the Grande Ronde River, the community is surrounded by rugged splendor. Tall fir trees that once sheltered Chief Joseph's tribe still cover the hillsides that rim the town.
Elgin began as a trading area in 1882. Through the years the community has depended primarily on logging, agriculture and cattle ranches as the mainstays of its economy. But these are not all that Elgin has to offer. An abundance of recreational activities -- hunting, fishing, skiing, camping and white water rafting -- are available nearby. The town is home to the Elgin Opera House, a beautiful facility built in 1911, that now provides movies, plays, concerts and lectures to residents and visitors. The Elgin Museum is located in the Opera House.
An active downtown district, an entrepreneurial spirit, a number of cottage businesses and a newly opened industrial park are now helping to diversify and sustain the economy.
