Many religious folk may know Baker City as one of the seats for the Roman Catholic diocese in the “Beaver State” of Oregon let by the most reverend Bishop Robert F. Vasa. This diocese represents a total of eighteen counties of Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains. But there is much more to Baker City than its venerable religious roots.

In fact, there was a time Baker City was anything but ‘religious’ during the legendary days of the wild, wild west. Baker City grew by leaps and bounds during the 1860s due to the prospect of hitting it rich during the Gold Rush in surrounding areas. Established as a city in 1870, Baker City was an important destination of the Oregon Trail and the epicenter of the entire region with its wild salons, rough-and-tumble characters, and dancing girlies. However as the city grew, these activities disappeared as residents became more concerned with the city’s future progress. Today, Baker City utilizes its abundance of natural resources as the mining, agriculture, and timber industries dominate the local economy.

When visiting Baker City, you will first notice how beautiful the surrounding landscape is getting here. Baker City is situated along the Powder River in northeastern Oregon where pristine old growth forests still remain amidst the breathtaking splendor of rolling hills and majestic mountains. With its history very much intact, you will find that Baker City still has a very special bond to its past.