A recent front page article in the San Jose Mercury-News described the City of La Grande in the following way: "If Eastern Oregon was a separate state, La Grande, a handsome city of 13,000 that lies on the edge of the lush Grande Ronde Valley 250 miles east of Portland, would be its natural capital." La Grande is the County Seat of Union County and is the area's largest city. Eastern Oregon University, the only university in Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains, adds culture and diversity to a community historically connected to the railroad, agriculture and the timber industry.
La Grande's downtown is home to a wide variety of retail shopping opportunities that include antique stores, gift shops, bakeries, outdoor stores, photography studios, bookstores, department stores, computer shops and auto dealers to name a few. Downtown restaurants serve traditional American fare, ethnic foods and gourmet delicacies. Espresso can be purchased in almost any part of town.
Lodging is available to suit any taste, from modern motels to elegant bed and breakfast inns. More than 500 rooms are located within La Grande. The recently constructed Blue Mountain Conference Center can accommodate meetings and conventions of up to 500 attendees. Visitors can take advantage of many outdoor recreational attractions or enjoy historic, cultural and scenic amenities. Skiing, fishing, hunting, gold, bird watching, hiking and whitewater rafting are available within a 45-minute drive from La Grande. The Union County Museum, the Blue Mountain Crossing and walking tours of La Grande's historic homes appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of the West.
Those looking for a permanent home will find affordable housing and a lifestyle free from traffic congestion, violent crime and many of the other ills that afflict urban areas. Modern telecommunication services make possible many information and high technology enterprises. The community is currently developing a technology park to create employment opportunities through a connection with programs offered by the University.
Eastern Oregon may not become a state in the near future, but La Grande, the hub of Northeast Oregon, can make a convincing case to be one of its most attractive cities. Stately trees, well-maintained parks and a host of programs and facilities designed for young people make La Grande an exceptional community for families.
