You’ll find the abandoned military town of Ordnance in northeast Oregon’s Umatilla County, where a massive $35 million ordnance depot once sprawled across 20,000 acres. Built in 1941, this wartime community housed over 2,000 workers and contained 1,001 concrete structures before post-WWII budget cuts led to its decline. Today, you’ll discover crumbling foundations and empty streets named after military terms, while nature slowly reclaims this fascinating piece of Oregon’s WWII history.
Key Takeaways
- Ordnance was established in 1940 as a military depot community in northeast Oregon, spanning 20,000 acres for munitions storage.
- The town thrived during World War II with over 2,000 workers and featured 1,001 concrete structures built for $35 million.
- After WWII ended, budget cuts led to the community’s decline, with population dropping from 200 residents in the 1950s.
- The Department of Defense phased out the community in the 1960s, leaving behind crumbling foundations and abandoned structures.
- Today, the ghost town features deteriorating military infrastructure, with areas used for National Guard training and wildlife preservation.
Birth of a Military Town: The Umatilla Ordnance Depot
In 1940, the U.S. Army strategically selected 20,000 acres of rugged shrub-steppe terrain in northeast Oregon for a crucial military infrastructure project.
The military’s strategic vision transformed untamed Oregon wilderness into a vital defense asset during America’s wartime preparations.
You’ll find this site sprawling across Umatilla and Morrow counties, chosen for its perfect combination of vast open space, low population, and essential transportation access to the Columbia River, railroads, and highways.
The historical significance of this location became clear when construction began in January 1941.
J.A. Terteling and Sons Construction Company mobilized 7,000 workers across three shifts, building an impressive array of facilities for $35 million.
They constructed 1,001 reinforced concrete storage bunkers, barracks, warehouses, and workshops, all connected by an extensive network of roads and railroad tracks that would serve America’s World War II effort. The construction crews achieved a remarkable milestone when they built 24 igloos in one day on September 24, 1941. The depot officially began its military service when the first munitions arrived on October 27, 1941.
Life During Wartime: A Community Emerges
With construction completed, the Umatilla Ordnance Depot rapidly transformed from a military installation into a bustling wartime community.
You’d find over 2,000 workers, both military and civilian, creating unique community dynamics as they supported critical munitions operations during World War II. Many of these employees were civilian women workers, who stepped into roles traditionally held by men.
The depot’s presence sparked rapid growth, and you’d see new housing developments, stores, and essential services spring up to meet workers’ needs. The facility played a crucial role storing and managing military weapons inventory for wartime operations.
The establishment of a post office in 1943 marked a significant milestone in the town’s development.
The wartime economy thrived as government funding poured in, creating opportunities for local suppliers and businesses.
Despite the town’s military roots, you’d witness a strong sense of community cohesion as residents united behind their shared wartime purpose, even with the population’s transient nature.
The Path to Abandonment
After World War II ended in 1945, Ordnance’s fate became increasingly clear as military funding cuts devastated the Umatilla Ordnance Depot’s operations.
The decline of Ordnance began in 1945, when post-war budget cuts crippled the vital Umatilla Ordnance Depot.
You’d have witnessed a dramatic population decline as depot workers and their families sought opportunities elsewhere, with the town’s peak of 200 residents steadily dwindling through the 1950s.
The economic impacts rippled through the community as one facility after another shut down.
The streets, which were named after wartime military terms, served as a reminder of the town’s original purpose.
The post office, school, shopping center, and community center all ceased operations as demand evaporated.
By the 1960s, the Department of Defense had phased out the community entirely.
The land’s shift to agricultural use marked the final chapter, with former military housing repurposed for livestock and the school building later converted into an agricultural business facility.
What Remains: Exploring the Ghost Town Today
Today’s visitors to Ordnance will find nature steadily reclaiming what humans left behind. You’ll discover crumbling foundations and scattered military depot ruins where a bustling wartime community once stood.
While urban exploration opportunities exist, you’ll need to navigate carefully through overgrown streets and deteriorating structures, much like the remnants found in Medical Springs’ buildings.
The site’s transformation continues as Superfund cleanup efforts address contamination from its military past. You’ll see portions now used for Oregon National Guard training, while other areas are slated to become wildlife preserves.
Though you won’t find maintained historic buildings or museums, the ghost town’s legacy lives on through former residents’ oral histories. The site’s accessibility from I-84 makes it reachable, but don’t expect marked trails or visitor facilities – just raw glimpses into Oregon’s military-industrial heritage.
Legacy of an Oregon War Town
The rise and fall of Ordnance reflects Oregon’s dramatic transformation during World War II and its aftermath.
You’ll find in this remarkable military history a story of rapid development, where 7,000 construction workers built a massive ordnance depot that employed 2,000 people, including courageous women who made up 27% of the workforce.
The town’s community resilience shines through its wartime unity, when civilian and military life merged around the depot’s workshops, fire station, and housing units.
Yet this vibrant community couldn’t survive the post-war decline. After serving roles in both WWII munitions storage and Cold War chemical weapons, the depot’s changing mission gradually emptied the town.
Today, Ordnance stands as a monument to the fleeting nature of war-driven communities and their lasting impact on Oregon’s landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Unexploded Ordnance Hazards in the Ghost Town Area?
Want to stay safe while exploring? While there’s no documented evidence of unexploded ordnance, you’ll want to exercise caution since the area’s military storage history suggests potential safety concerns remain unconfirmed.
What Happened to the Families Who Lived in Ordnance After Relocation?
You’ll find most families moved to nearby Hermiston, facing relocation challenges as they switched from military to civilian jobs. Their family experiences included adjusting to new schools and rebuilding community connections.
Did Any Original Buildings From Ordnance Survive on Private Property?
Ever wonder what’s hidden on private land? You’ll find limited original structures likely remain, though they’re not publicly documented. Historical preservation efforts suggest some buildings survive, but their condition remains uncertain.
Were There Any Notable Accidents or Incidents at the Depot?
You’ll find one major tragic incident in the depot’s history – a 1944 munitions igloo explosion that killed six workers and was heard 30 miles away. Safety records show no other significant accidents.
Can Visitors Legally Access and Explore the Former Townsite Today?
You can’t legally explore without permission from the current landowners. Ghost town regulations prohibit trespassing, and there’s no public access. Visitor safety isn’t guaranteed since it’s private agricultural property.
References
- https://architecturalafterlife.com/2024/01/ghost-town-of-ordnance-oregon/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordnance
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Oregon
- https://hermistonherald.com/2018/05/15/ordnance-buildings-are-gone-but-memories-linger/
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Ordnance
- https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/or/or0100/or0142/data/or0142data.pdf
- https://www.umadra.com/history
- https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/umatilla_army_depot/
- https://theotheroregon.com/2023/12/22/umatilla-depot/
- https://www.oregon.gov/omd/programs/pages/camp-umatilla.aspx
