"La Grande - A nice quiet little city" La Grande by JAFA-Rease

La Grande Travel Guide: 8 reviews and 15 photos

Overlooking part of La Grande - La Grande

A nice little city nestled in the foothills of the blue mountain range. The locals are all very friendly, and there's no crime to speak of. (except the first armed robbery of the year that we narrowly avoided) It's the kind of town where the locals still pull together to build things for the community. Such as the huge playground recently built at Riverside park. It's still what small town America used to be. Depending on how things develop, I would even consider it as a place for retirement. I'd definitely consider it as a good place to raise a family.

La Grande's roots go back to the Oregon Trail. It sits in the foothills of the cascade mountain range just south of the Columbia river. Founded as a logging community What is now La Grande is technically still two towns, La Grande and "Island City". Until 1900's the two towns were separated by runnoffs and floods.

La Grande is the county seat for northeastern Washington. In the early 1900's La Grande and Union city were competing for the railroad which runs (rather loudly) through La Grande. At one point some residents of La Grande snuck in and "stole" Union's plans to get the railroad. As a result there is stilll some resentment by members of Union.

La Grande is also home to Eastern Oregon University Rated as the #2 University for value of expense to quality of education in the USA It graduated 800 folks this year, and has a nice campus to take a stroll through.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A great place to raise a family
Cons:The trains can be annoying (especially at night)
In a nutshell:I really enjoyed my time here!

Last visit to La Grande: Jun 2004
Intro Written Jul 6, 2004
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Reviews (3)

La Grande's first house (a log cabin) Things to Do (1)

On the outskirts of La Grande you can find it's first house. Copy of text from the monument next to it: La Grande was... more travel advice

My sister's dog (Scarlet) tempting fate ;) - La Grande

Doggy go bye bye ; ) Warnings Or Dangers (2)

While on one of my walks through La Grande, we came across this sign. I just couldn't resist adding it as a warning to... more travel advice

What's that noise? Warnings Or Dangers (2)

La Grande has a very busy, and very loud railroad running through the middle of it. I'm sure the locals are used to it,... more travel advice

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Travelogues (1)

Written Jul 6, 2004

8 photos

My 2004 Vacation part 2

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Comments (5)

caffeine_induced78 Dec 1, 2004 at 9:54 AM Report Abuse

Very nice page on a beautiful corner of Oregon. My Grandfather loves to go horseback riding in this area. Well done!
craic Sep 13, 2004 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

You do get used to trains. Eventually. (Looking forward to your page on Genoa.)
o00o Jul 25, 2004 at 8:52 AM Report Abuse

great tips and photos
Gili_S Jul 12, 2004 at 10:47 AM Report Abuse

Best warning or dangers for dogs LOL
Nathalie_B Jul 6, 2004 at 8:27 AM Report Abuse

How do you want me to start adding new pages if first I have to read all your new ones!? Nice start!;-)