Sightseeing in Downtown Pendleton

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Our first stop today was at the Heritage Station Museum which is in a 1909 Depot next to the still active railroad tracks where several freight trains rumbled past while we toured the Museum. 

The Museum not only includes the Depot but also a sculpture on the Park grounds, an old school, homestead, barn, outhouse, windmill, signal house and caboose all open for viewing inside.

The Museum was a real joy to tour and nicely set up with permanent exhibits as well as changing displays and a video about the area and its settlement.  The exhibits included replicas of a post office, print shop, train depot office, a switchboard as well as an old wood telephone booth, 1950’s kitchen, a barber shop, a shoe shine booth and a tribute to the first responders in the area in terms of police and fire personnel.  In addition there were was an extensive display about the trains and depots in the area and beautifully displayed articles and pictures about farm families in the area in the past. 

This handmade quilt is individual blocks with hand embroidered names of early pioneers from the area.  When I observed it close up, I was really impressed with the beautiful embroidery work stitching of the names. Something I always tried to do but never really mastered.  

Outside we toured the school house, barn, homestead, caboose, etc.

Leaving the Depot, we took a drive around historic downtown and residential areas.  Like many small or large towns across America, Pendleton has many old buildings dating to the early part of the 20^th century and some interesting stories to tell along with a couple of murals. 

Note the name of the hotel above the door.

Tomorrow we plan to travel south to the town of La Grande to sightsee and tour the countryside.