La Grande

La Grande is a city in northeastern Oregon, set in a wide valley between the Blue Mountains and the Elkhorn Mountains. The streets are quiet and easy to navigate, with some historic brick and wood buildings downtown and residential neighborhoods spreading outward.

Benjamin Brown settled here in 1861 when the valley was still mostly open grazing land, and within four years the settlement was formally recognized as a town. The railroad arrived later and turned the place into a trading center for ranching and farming across the region.

The name comes from the French expression for the great prairie that once covered the valley floor, as early settlers called it. The university shapes everyday life with students walking through downtown streets, attending lectures, and gathering in local coffee shops.

The city is accessible via Interstate 84, which runs through the mountains and connects the area with other towns to the east and west. The library offers public computers and internet access if travelers need them.

A sugar factory once processed sugar beets here and used raw materials sourced from native communities in the area. This cooperation was uncommon for the time and brought together different groups in early industrial work.

Location: Union County

Inception: 1861

Elevation above the sea: 849 m

Website: http://ci.la-grande.or.us

GPS coordinates: 45.32722,-118.09333

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:55