Gilliam County

Contact

dark waters of John Day River — The John Day River at Cottonwood Canyon. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)

County Seat: Courthouse, 221 S Oregon St., Condon 97823

Phone: 541-351-9490 (County Clerk); 541-351-9499 (Court Administrator)

Email: ellen.wagenaar@co.gilliam.or.us

Web: co.gilliam.or.us

About

Established: Feb. 25, 1885

Elev. at Condon: 2,844'

Area: 1,223 sq. mi.

Average Temp.: January 31.9° July 71.3°

Assessed Value: $1,139,885,773

Real Market Value: $1,411,758,756

(includes the value of non-taxed properties)

Annual Precipitation: 11.39"

Economy: Agriculture, recreation, environmental services, wind power generation, hunting, fishing, tourism, waste management and waste disposal landfills

Related Resources

History

Oregon county map with Gilliam County shaded

Historical Records Inventory

Gilliam County Scenic Images

"County QuickFacts" (population and economic data from U.S. Census Bureau-enter county name)

County Seat Map (from Google Maps)

County Map (from ODOT)

Incorporated Cities

Arlington | Condon | Lonerock

Points of Interest

Old Oregon Trail, Arlington Bay and Marina, Lonerock area, Condon historic district, Cottonwood Canyon State Park

History and General Information

Gilliam County was established in 1885 from a portion of Wasco County and named for Army Colonel Cornelius Gilliam. Alkali (now Arlington) was the first county seat. In 1890 voters moved the county seat to Condon (then named Summit Springs). A brick courthouse was built in Condon in 1903 and destroyed by fire in 1954. The present courthouse was built on the same site in 1955.

In the heart of the Columbia Plateau wheat area, Gilliam County has an average farm size of about 4,200 acres, principally raising wheat, barley and beef cattle.

With elevations of over 3,000 ft. near Condon in the south of the county, and 285 ft. just 39 miles north at Arlington, the county sees a variety of climates. To the west are two major rivers: the John Day and Columbia.

County Officials

County Court: Judge Cris Patnode (2029); Grant Wilkins (2029), Leah Watkins (2027); Dist. Atty. VACANT; Clerk Ellen Wagenaar (2027); Justice of the Peace Kari Hayter (2027); Sheriff Gary Bettencourt (2027); Surv. Todd Catterson (2027); Treas. Nathan Hammer (2027); Assess. Chet Wilkins (2029)