Near Huntington in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Van Ornum Massacre

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

1. Van Ornum Massacre Marker

Inscription.
In October 1860 the Van Ornum Party, survivors of the Utter Disaster, reached Farewell Bend. Here they again encountered Indians.

On September 9 & 10, in Idaho, the Elijah P. Utter wagon train suffered a two-day attack by Indians in which 11 emigrants were killed. Survivors fled down the Oregon Trail. Some remained in an Owyhee River camp. The Van Ornum Party continued on. In a crater 3 miles northwest of here, soldiers discovered the mutilated bodies of Alexis and Abigail Van Ornum, their son Mark, an young man named Samuel Gleason, and the 2 surviving Utter boys. The 3 Van Ornum girls and the youngest brother were taken captive.

Erected by Baker County Historical Society and Idaho Chapters of the Oregon-Calfornia Trails Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1860.

Location. 44° 20.034′ N, 117° 14.736′ W. Marker is near Huntington, Oregon, in Baker County. Marker is on Oregon Trail Boulevard (Business U.S. 30) near Frontage Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntington OR 97907, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Van Ornum Wagon Train Massacre (here, next to this marker); The Last Spike (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Van Ornum Wagon Train Massacre (approx. 1.6 miles away); Farewell Bend Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 2.3 miles away); Farewell Bend (approx. 2.3 miles away); Remnants of the Oregon Trail (approx. 4.4 miles away); Weatherby Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 12.6 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker is located about one mile south of Huntington, Oregon. Based upon the text of his marker and another nearby marker it appears that this marker has been relocated.

Additional keywords. Utter Disaster

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 28, 2017

2. Van Ornum Massacre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 5,690 times since then and 632 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.