Meacham in Umatilla County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Meacham

Historic Oregon Trail

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 30, 2017

1. Meacham Marker

Inscription. First known as Lee's Encampment, from establishment of a troop camp by Major H.A.G. Lee in 1844, A.B. and Harvey Meacham operated famous "Mountain House" here, which gave the town its present name. In later years a famous railroad eating house, "The Log Cabin," became nationally known under the supervision of Grandma Munra, a well known pioneer figure. On July 3, 1923, Meacham was the capitol of the United States when President Warren G. Harding stopped for a day and participated in the exercises commemorating the eightieth anniversary of the covered wagon migration of 1843.

Erected by Oregon Department of Transportation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #29 Warren G. Harding, and the Oregon Beaver Boards series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 1923.

Location. 45° 30.531′ N, 118° 25.32′ W. Marker is in Meacham, Oregon, in Umatilla County. Marker is on Old Highway 30 near Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 64348 Old Highway 30, Meacham OR 97859, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oregon Trail Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Emigrant Springs State Park

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(approx. 2.9 miles away); Emigrant Springs Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Intrepid Pioneers (approx. 3.1 miles away); Deadman Pass Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 7.6 miles away); Parade of Survivors (approx. 9.2 miles away); On This Ridge... (approx. 9.2 miles away); Wagon Wheels to Automobiles (approx. 9.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meacham.

Also see . . . For a day, Meacham was 'capital of the United States all day long' -- La Grande Observer. Time stood still in Meacham on July 2, 1923, the day President Warren G. Harding stopped there to speak at a celebration commemorating the Oregon Trail. Harding, who had been elected president in 1920, stayed in Meacham for eight hours and 20 minutes and declared the small town "the capital of the United States all day long," according to a July 1923 edition of The Observer. (Submitted on December 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 30, 2017

2. Meacham Marker

President Harding at Monument Dedication image. Click for full size.

3. President Harding at Monument Dedication

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 615 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.