From Oregon Trail to local tourism in this Baker County town
Once a pass-through area on the Oregon Trail, Baker City—sometimes just called Baker by locals—is a small community in northeastern Oregon that holds onto its pioneer roots. Mining and the railway industries blossomed once miners discovered gold and incorporated the town in 1874. Leading industries today are manufacturing, agriculture and local government, and the city of 10,000 also attracts tourists with its surrounding museums, recreational activities and the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. “Baker is the Hallmark small town that the girl from New York goes back to,” says Mitch Grove, broker/owner of the Grove Team and city native. “People who come here and put forth effort to find niche groups, whether it’s hiking or brewing beer, will be welcomed,” he says.
Baker City was once a pass through area along the Oregon Trail and incorporated in 1874.
The Baker Heritage Museum showcases the history of Baker City and the Historic Oregon Trail.
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Stable market in Baker City
Grove says Baker City has a mixture of housing styles with limited inventory. The median price for a single-family home is $305,000. “Our market is what I would consider very stable,” Grove says. “Our pricing is still up year over year, but it’s stabilizing as we are far enough away from the three percent [interest] years of COVID where people would refinance their current home.” Remodeled early 20th-century condos can be found in St. Elizabeth Towers near Broadway Street downtown, and a few townhouse communities are sprinkled around the city. Housing styles include early 1900s cottages and bungalows gathered near downtown. A handful of Victorian-styled homes are also found in the downtown area, and ranch-style, split-level and new traditional properties are spread around the city.
Baker City has a variety of home styles, including older cottage style homes.
Baker City features a variety of different home styles, including New Traditionals.
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A thriving downtown with a focus on mom-and-pop shops
For the past few decades, Baker City has worked to revitalize its downtown area with local non-profits like Baker City Downtown. The organization is affiliated with Main Street America, a national movement that helps develop communities and local economies across the U.S. Today, residents can stroll down the four-lane Main Street to different boutiques, antique stores and eclectic shops in connected Italianate buildings. Bakeries, cafes and brewpubs also line the area, along with some awning-shaded benches outside different businesses. A few standalone grocery stores like Safeway and Walmart dot the town, and if locals want a few more shopping options, Le Grande is about 44 miles north.
Art galleries and boutiques are sprinkled along Main Street in downtown Baker City.
Sweet Wife Baking in Baker City serves up freshly baked goods and excellent coffee.
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Skiing at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
The city has several parks and trailheads, plus the Quail Ridge Golf Course. Biking is a major activity for locals; the 3-mile Leo Adler Memorial Parkway takes bikers and walkers over the Powder River. Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, located 36 miles northwest, has mountain biking trails, and in the winter, folks ski and relax at Creston’s Yurt at the resort. In warmer months, Grove says people go ATV riding and hiking in Sumter, Oregon 30 miles away. The Snake River by the Oregon/Idaho state line is a popular fishing spot.
Leo Adler Parkway trail winds along the Powder River and is a popular spot for recreation.
Geiser Pollman Park in Baker City features a playground and several other amenities.
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Celebrating pioneer heritage at Miners Jubilee
Baker City has a small arts and culture sector. The Crossroads Carnegie Arts Center has rotating art exhibits, and the Baker Heritage Museum, set in a historic natatorium, has multiple installations depicting life in the town's early days. Baker City also hosts monthly First Friday Art Walks, where people can admire murals and visit galleries downtown. Wine Walks occur every third Thursday, and in July, the community gathers for the Miners Jubilee near Geiser Pollman Park. The event includes a parade, live music and gold mining demonstrations.
Opportunities for students and teachers at Baker School District
The city is zoned for the Baker School District 5J, which earns an overall A-minus from Niche. The district is known for the Baker Technical Institute at the B-minus-rated Baker High. Students can study welding, health sciences and trucking. Baker High also offers the Baker International Program, where students have opportunities to travel and learn in countries like Vietnam and Ecuador.
Baker High School scores a B- on Niche and offers an international program to travel abroad.
Baker City High School serves the older students in the Baker City area.
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Walkable city with access to major Oregon thoroughfares
Interstate 84 travels on the east border of town and connects to Baker Municipal Airport 5 miles north. U.S. Route 30 and Oregon Route 7 also cut through, traveling to nearby cities like Salisbury and Encina. Baker County Public Transit buses stop periodically around town, and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center is set near the northwest corner of the city.
Low crime and environmental risks in Baker City
Violent and property-related crime incidents were lower in 2023 in Baker City than the state as a whole.
Since Baker City is set in northeast Oregon at a high elevation, it has dry summers and snowy winters. The city is also at moderately high risk of wildfires, especially from June to October.
Written By
Hannah Baggenstoss
Photography Contributed By
Carter Rogers
Video By
Tyler Hall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Baker City, OR sell after 81 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Baker City, OR over the last 12 months is $285,000, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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LOT IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN AND IS READY FOR YOU TO BUILD YOUR NEW HOME OR BUILD FOR INVESTMENT. RIBBON ON FENCE IS APPROXIMATE PROPERTY LINE. BUYER TO CONNECT WITH BAKER COUNTY PLANNING DEPT. FOR DETAILS.
LOT IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN AND IS READY FOR YOU TO BUILD YOUR NEW HOME OR BUILD FOR INVESTMENT.RIBBON ON FENCE IS APPROXIMATE PROPERTY LINE. BUYER TO CONNECT WITH BAKER COUNTY PLANNING DEPT. FOR DETAILS.
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