Cornucopia
Gold in the Wallowas
State: Oregon
County: Baker County
Founded: 1884
Abandoned: 1942
Peak Population: 1,000
Cornucopia was a thriving gold town in Oregon's remote Wallowa Mountains. At its peak, 1,000 people lived and worked the mines. When WWII closed nonessential mining, Cornucopia's economy collapsed. Today, a few summer cabins are all that remain of year-round habitation.
Rich Mines
The Cornucopia district produced millions in gold. The Union-Companion and other mines made fortunes.
WWII Closure
War Production Board Order L-208 closed gold mines in 1942. Cornucopia's miners left and never returned.
Timeline
- 1884 - Founded Gold mining began
- 1900s - Peak Population around 1,000
- 1942 - Closure WWII mining shutdown
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Summer
Difficulty: Moderate - remote road
Time Needed: Half day
Quick Facts
- Located in scenic Wallowa Mountains
- Summer cabins remain
- Gold mining shut down by WWII order
Location
Address: Cornucopia, Oregon
Coordinates: 44.9839, -117.185