Back When? s, 1880s – Rufus, OR's Rich Heritage OR's Rich Heritage

Nestled along the south bank of the Columbia River, just two miles downstream from the John Day Dam, the small town of Rufus, Oregon, carries a rich history intertwined with the region’s development and natural beauty. Once a bustling hub during the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, Rufus is now a quiet travel stop with a unique story to tell. Origins: Rufus takes its name from Rufus Carroll Wallis, who settled in the area with his wife Mary and their seven children in 1884. Originally from Tennessee, Wallis brought not only his family but also a spirit of entrepreneurship that shaped the early community. He established a ferry across the Columbia River and opened the Rufus post office on June 6, 1886, serving as the first postmaster. The Wallis family also owned land across the river in Washington, and their ventures included grain warehouses and other businesses. By 1892, Rufus and Mary had officially platted the town, which grew into a lively center with a hotel, livery stables, a bakery, and even a saloon. Two steamboats were built in Rufus during its heyday: the Yukon in 1895 and the Columbia in 1902. The town’s strategic location along the Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company (OWRN) line helped it flourish, and by the late 19th century, Rufus was connected to the surrounding wheat fields through a wagon road up Scott Canyon to the town of Wasco. This road eventually became a county route, further cementing Rufus’s role in the region. In 1926, Rufus added an other unique attraction: a golf course, drawing visitors from nearby communities. Decades later, during the construction of the John Day Dam in the late 1960s, the town saw a brief resurgence, becoming a center for workers and supplies. However, when the dam was completed in 1971, the community settled back into its quieter rhythm. Incorporated on November 3, 1964, Rufus remains one of four incorporated communities in Sherman County. With a 2023 population of 277, the town retains its small-community charm. Its school was consolidated into the North Sherman School District in 1996, and today, Rufus serves travelers along Interstate 84 with amenities including a gas station, market, post office, two restaurants, two hotels, and a no-fee boat launch at Giles French Waterfront Park. Giles French Waterfront Park, located along the Columbia River, is a popular spot for birdwatching, fishing, and free short-term camping. Rufus also has a fascinating archaeological dimension. On the west end of town lies a site where Native American groups once quarried petrified wood and other materials for stone tool production. While the site isn’t included in the National Register of Historic Places, its history speaks to thousands of years of human activity in the area.