Established: Oct. 14, 1864

Elev. at La Grande: 2,788'

Area: 2,038 sq. mi.

Average Temp.: January 30.9°  July 70.4°

Assessed Value: $2,148,757,626

Real Market Value: $3,484,319,810

(includes the value of non-taxed properties)

Annual Precipitation: 18.79"

Economy: Agriculture, forest products, education and government

Union County was created in 1864 and named for the town of Union, which had been established two years before and named by its founders for patriotic reasons during the Civil War. The county comprised a part of the northern portion of Baker County. In 1899, Union County gave up its eastern portion to Wallowa County.

The Grande Ronde Valley in Union County is nearly table flat and is covered with the rich silt of an old lake bed. Highly diversified, with a 160-day growing season and an annual rainfall of 20 inches, the valley boasts of never having had a general crop failure. The county’s 1,092 farms average 473 acres a unit.

Union County’s front door opens to the rugged Wallowa Mountains. Its back door faces the Blue Mountains, which attract hikers, skiers and hunters.