Oregon State Archives : A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

HEPPNER JUNCTION, 35.1 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction] (241 alt.), distinguished by an airplane beacon on the cliff (L), is the junction of the Union Pacific Railroad main line with its Heppner branch, as well as the junction of US 30 with State 74.

Left from Heppner junction on State 74 through a narrow rimrock walled cleft up Willow Creek. Rust colored, basaltic cliffs are in vivid contrast with emerald green alfalfa fields, sub irrigated by gravity flow of water from Willow and its tributary creeks, and from underground springs. As the route continues into the gradually rising country, wheat fields roll away to the benchlands on either side of the highway.

During gold rush days, miners traveling from lower Columbia River points to the Idaho and John Day mining districts, passed through Willow Creek Valley, hastening south by way of Dixie Creek and the forks of the John Day River. Processions of Columbia River Indians followed this road, to bunt deer, pick berries, and camp in the Blue Mountains, returning down the creek for the salmon fishing at Celilo.

Lyn Topinka, Columbia River Images

The Union Pacific station of Heppner Junction is located at the mouth of Willow Creek. Heppner Junction was once the turnoff for the Union Pacific tracks heading into the city of Heppner. The line was in operation between 1889 and 1994, when it was closed as being non-profitable, and section of track were demolished. Today Heppner Junction is the starting place for the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, with the turnoff at Oregon Highway 74, just west of Heppner Junction and Willow Creek...

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Heppner and Heppner Junction were named for Henry Heppner, who, along with Jackson L. Morrow, opened the first merchandise store in Heppner in 1873. In that same year the town of Heppner was founded and the post office was established. Heppner Junction began in 1889 when the Union Pacific laid tracks to Heppner.

Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway

Steve Hart, July 6, 2020:

One last post from my Friday trip. The is a complicated little place just east of Heppner.... The lower east fork [CRH] is washed out by the lake about 1/3 mile east. The upper fork [Heppner Highway] is about 1/4 mile long to where it's buried by the Union pacific grade.

I caught this EXTREMELY late in the day. I basically just bombed down the upper fork to the west end and walked back the lower fork. I was scrambling to get done before complete darkness. Sorry about the dark, color shifted photos.

Columbia River Highway

Steve Hart, Upper Columbia River Highway Survey

East Heppner Jct Fragment

1600 feet, Mile 156.5, Features a junction with the abandoned Highway 74

Heppner Highway

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