Blue River
Population: (2020) 200
Schools: McKenzie River Community School; McKenzie High School; McKenzie School District
Granges
Churches: Living Water Family Fellowship; McKenzie Valley Assembly of God
Fire Stations:
Chamber of Commerce: None
History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_River,_Oregon
The area was first settled in the late 19th century by the Sparks family.[4] Gold was discovered in the Blue River area in 1863, but by 1912, most gold mining activity had ended.[4] The ore was low grade and the local stamp mills have not operated in many years.[2] Records show, however, that the Lucky Boy Mine had extracted more than $1 million from the Blue River Mining District during the brief gold rush.[4] Samuel Sparks and his sons laid out the town of Blue River in 1900 as part of 320 acres (1.3 km2) they had acquired.[4] Blue River post office was established in 1886.[2] The community's volunteer Frances O'Brien Memorial Library was founded in 1928. The library has no running water, does not set due dates on loans, and was originally left unlocked 24 hours a day.[5]