La Grande, Oregon, developed as a trading post on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s and is situated along the Grande Ronde River. Nestled in the Grande Ronde Valley, the city is surrounded by the Blue Mountains, Umatilla National Forest, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, offering vast mountain scenery and outdoor attractions. The area is known for its seasonal lifestyle, with activities such as hiking, elk hunting, and fly-fishing being popular. Winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and substantial snowfall. La Grande features a mix of 1920s bungalows, Craftsman homes, smaller cottages, and ranch-style houses, with newer homes and properties with acreage available outside the city. Downtown La Grande, centered around U.S. Route 30, hosts locally owned restaurants, wine markets, music venues, and the La Grande Farmers Market. The La Grande School District serves the area with highly rated schools, and Eastern Oregon University, founded in 1929, is located on the west side of town. The local economy is supported by agriculture, downtown businesses, the university, and Grande Ronde Hospital. La Grande is accessible via Interstate 84, with Portland 260 miles west and Boise, Idaho, 170 miles southeast. While wildfires are becoming more common in the surrounding valley, the city has not been directly affected but encourages residents to maintain defensible spaces around their properties.
