Why does a vast Oregon county bear a name meaning misfortune and tragedy?

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning over 9,900 square miles, Malheur County is Oregon's second-largest territory. Despite its size, the region is sparsely populated and uniquely split across two time zones. Its name, derived from the French word for tragedy, reflects a rugged history shaped by gold miners, Basque sheepherders, and vast, arid rangelands.

Established in February 1887, Malheur County was carved out of the southern reaches of Baker County. The region attracted settlers during the early 1860s, driven by the lure of gold discoveries and the potential for ranching. By the 1890s, Basque immigrants arrived, establishing a significant presence in the local sheep-raising industry. Today, the landscape is dominated by rangeland, with the Bureau of Land Management overseeing 72% of the total area.

The county is geographically and culturally distinct, serving as the only part of Oregon situated in the Mountain Time Zone. This unusual time-keeping arrangement stems from historical railroad practices; while most of the county follows Mountain Time, a small southern portion adheres to Pacific Time due to its economic ties to Winnemucca, Nevada. This dual-zone status was formalized following an Interstate Commerce Commission order in May 1923, which mandated that local cities align their clocks with train schedules.

Economic life in the county is concentrated in the northeast, where the Western Treasure Valley supports intensive farming. Major employers include the Snake River Correctional Institution and a large potato processing facility in Ontario. Despite these hubs, the county remains largely rural, with over 58% of its 31,571 residents living outside urban centers. The region also maintains a strong political identity, having consistently favored Republican candidates in presidential elections for decades, a trend that has persisted since the mid-20th century.

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