Heisler Locomotive, ca. 1918

Joseph Branch History

The first railroad train to enter Wallowa County was over a temporary bridge across the Grande Ronde River on October 29, 1907.  In September of 1908, the first excursion train ran from La Grande to Wallowa.  A story in the News Record of Enterprise indicated high anticipation, “Quite a crowd is expected, so eager are the people to see the famed beauty of the valley.”  Between 1,500 and 2,000 people gathered with much fanfare, including several brass bands, to celebrate the arrival of the first passenger train.  The first excursion train run from La Grande to Wallowa cost passengers $1.75.
The rail line was completed to Joseph in the fall of 1908.  Joseph Depot was the end of the line, and a place for visitors to jump off and visit Wallowa Lake.

  Joseph Depot, ca. 1910

Shay Locomotive, ca. 1920

The first large-scale lumber mill was constructed in Wallowa in 1908.  The East Oregon Lumber Company mill in Enterprise was operational by 1915.  Joseph Branch was used extensively for hauling logs to local mills during the “Golden Years” of railroad logging in Wallowa County, between World War I and the Great Depression.  Short lines for logging to Promise and Sled Springs connected to the main line and the mills.

“Railways are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine.” E.M. Forrester, 1910

Enterprise Depot, ca. 1910

Except for a very primitive road, the only way to travel into Enterprise was by train.  The Joseph Branch rail travel was the connection to a developing Country, and sustained Wallowa County through the Great Depression.  The train provided early tourism development, and allowed travelers to reach Wallowa Lake State Park and the beautiful Wallowa Mountains.

Depots in Wallowa County were all of the same design, and were similar to other communities in northeast Oregon.  The Enterprise Depot was moved in 1972 to its current location along Highway 82, just north of Joseph.

Rail transportation, both passenger trains and commerce, provided Wallowa County opportunity to grow with the country in the post World War II era boom.  As the development of the car and road transportation improved, passenger train use declined, with passenger service ending in the 1960s.  Hard times for local sawmills slowed commerce, with all Joseph Line train traffic ceasing in 1996.

A new era of the Joseph Branch began when Wallowa and Union County bought the line from Idaho Northern & Pacific in 2002.  With much anticipation, 2003 proves to be a truly historic year for Wallowa County with the rails alive again.

“I honestly believe this is a historic decision for the whole county, and I applaud you all for it.” Bob Casey

 

HISTORICAL TIMELINE FOR THE JOSEPH BRANCH

  •    1905—OR&N proceed with plans to build line
  •    1907—First rail in Wallowa Co over Grande Ronde    
  •    1908—First excursion train to town of Wallowa  
  •    1908—OR&N rails reach Enterprise, then Joseph,   followed quickly by regular rail service
  •    1909—First excursion to Joseph and Wallowa Lake
  •    1960s—Passenger train service ended in Wallowa Co
  •    1972—Enterprise Depot was moved
  •    1996—Rail freight service ended in Wallowa Co
  •    1997—ID Northern & Pacific petition to abandon line
  •    2002—Wallowa and Union Counties agreed to buy the  Joseph Branch, between Elgin and Joseph
  •    2003—Fundraiser run for Eagle Cap Excursion