Sunset over Ochoco Lake from Ochoco Lake County Park. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
County Seat: Courthouse, 300 NE Third St., Room 23, Prineville 97754
Phone: 541-447-6553 (General); 541-447-6555 (Court Administrator)
Fax: 541-416-2145
About
Established: Oct. 24, 1882
Elev. at Prineville: 2,868'
Area: 2,991 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 31.8° July 64.5°
Assessed Value: $2,653,128,811
Real Market Value: $4,545,656,769
(includes the value of non-taxed properties)
Annual Precipitation: 10.50"
Economy: Forest products, agriculture, livestock raising, recreation/tourism services, manufacturing and wholesale trade constitute most of Crook County’s economy
Incorporated Cities
Points of Interest
Pine Mills, Crooked River Canyon, Ochoco Mountains, Prineville and Ochoco Reservoirs, rockhound areas, county courthouse, Steins Pillar, Wildland Firefighters Monument, and geological formations
History and General Information
Crook County was formed from Wasco County in 1882 and named for Major General George Crook, U.S. Army. Geographically, the county is in the center of Oregon. It is unique in that it has only one incorporated population center, the city of Prineville founded in 1868. Prineville’s colorful past was the scene of tribal raids, range wars between sheep and cattle ranchers and vigilante justice. Other communities in this sparsely settled region are Powell Butte, Post and Paulina.
Thousands of hunters, fishers, boaters, sightseers and rockhounds are annual visitors to its streams, reservoirs and the Ochoco Mountains. Rockhounds can dig for agates, limb casts, jasper and thundereggs on more than 1,000 acres of mining claims provided by the Prineville Chamber of Commerce. Major annual events include the Prineville Rockhound Powwow, Crooked River Roundup, Crook County Fair, Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, High Desert Celtic Festival and the Lord’s Acre Sale.
County Officials
County Court—Judge Seth Crawford 2025, Brian Barney 2027, Jerry Brummer 2025; Dist. Atty. Kari Hathorn 2027; Assess. Jon Soliz 2027; Clerk Cheryl Seely 2027; Sheriff John Gautney 2025; Surv. Greg Kelso 2025; Treas. Galan Carter 2027