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John Day, OR
John Day is a city located approximately 2 miles north of Canyon City in Grant County, Oregon, United States, at the intersection of U.S. Routes 26 and 395. The city was named for the nearby John Day River, which, along with Dayville, had been named for a Virginia member of the 1811 Astor Expedition, John Day.
Stretching from Oregon to Washington across the historic Columbia River is the John Day Dam.
The John Day Dam construction in 1958 and was completed in 1971, and is a concrete gravity dam featuring a navigation lock and fish ladders on both sides of the structure. The dam is located approximately 28 miles to the east of The Dalles, Oregon and below the mouth of the John Day River. The primary purpose of the John Day Dam is to generate electricity and has done so reliably for over 50 years.
Little is known about the man for whom a river, a dam and two towns (John Day and Dayville) were named. The following story is based on historical fact - some of it may be true. John Day was a hunter from the backwoods of Virginia. He had been employed by Ramsay Crooks for several years when he arrived in Oregon, at about 40 years of age. He was described as "six feet two inches tall, a handsome man with a manly countenance, straight as an Indian with an elastic step 'as if he trod on springs'". It was his boast that in his younger days nothing could hurt or daunt him, but he had lived too fast and injured his constitution by excesses. Still, he was strong of hand, bold of heart, a prime woodsman, and an almost unerring shot. Even though history does not record it, John Day must have been an outstanding man. Wherever he went, a creek, valley or river was named after him.
Needless to say, if you are in search of a place where you can live a simple life, enjoy the rugged countryside and engage with friendly people, John Day Oregon is the perfect place. Take a moment and picture yourself walking down Main Street where cattle drives and horse trailers share the road with everyday automobiles.
People smile at you as you walk on by, and they may ask, “How are you doing today, ma’am?”
To top this off, imagine living your everyday life surrounded by beautiful, untouched scenery such as the John Day Fossil Beds. This is the place where people across the country only dream about visiting; however, you will be living there!
