In 1901 the most terrific hailstorm, that ever visited this region, passed
over the town of Canyon City on May 11 at half past three and lasting for l
and half hours. Hail meassuring one and half inches fell, breaking windows,
tearing off roofs, stripping fruit and other trees of their leaves. Teams
hitched on the street broke their fastenings and dashed through the town,
seeking shelter. A deluge of water came down the town gulch following the
storm, flooding streets and cellars and doing considerable damage. Temporary
levees were hastily constructed to keep the water out of business houses and
residences. As before, no time for mourning the people immediately cleaned
up the distruction and went on with their lives.
The following was clipped from an old 1895 news article - unfortunately the name
was not left intact.
In June of this year the northern part of Grant county was swept by a cyclone, which
destroyed many thousands of dollars worth of property and resulted in the death of
three people and the wounding of several on Long creek. This cyclone entered Grant
county from the western portion of Baker county, breaking and twisting off large trees
and piling them up like straws, and crossing the mountains struck the edge of the town
of Long Creek with tremendous force. Of the buildings which stood in its parth not a
single trace remained after the storm had passed. An old resident and his wife, Mr. and
Mrs. David J. Parrish, were killed in their home, and in the demolition of Dr. and Mrs.
Nichol's house their little baby, Blanche, met death. The other members of the family
who were in the building at the time miraculously escaped with their lives, though injured
to a greater or less extent. C.H. Lee's house was in the path of the storm. All the
inmates escaped serious injury, although one of Mrs. Lee's arms was shattered and nearly
wrenched off. Several others were slightly injured. L.W. Solawn was picked up by the wind
and carried over the top of Woodall's store. Fortunately he alighted safely on a pile of hay,
where N.B. Oliver's barn once stood. In Long creek eight buildings were swept away, the school
house, which cost $5,000, was wrecked, the roller mills of C.L. Williams were badly damaged,
making a total loss in property estimated at $25,000. Several families were left homeless and
penniless. The people of the town cared tenderly for the injured and loving hands prepared the
dead for their long rest. The news was at once communicated to the outside world, and a
considerable amount of relief money was raised and forwarded to the sufferers.
The cyclone, after leaving Long Creek, continued its course northward, unroofing two or three
dwellings before reaching the middle fork of the John Day river, at which point it seems to have
spent its force. Much loss was reported on east Long Creek, and also in Fox valley, but no further
loss of life.
The following was clipped from an old 1872 news article - unfortunately the name
was not left intact.
On the evening of December 18, 1872, there was a slight earthquake in Canyon City and vicinity. It
lasted only a few seconds, but during this inconsierable space of time its effects were distinctly
perceptible. Houses were shakin, glassware, earthenware and tinware clinked together in the shelves,
swinging lamps oscillated from side to side, and in other ways the activity of the earth was manifested.
The stores were all open, and business men and loungers, noticing the movement of articles over the
floor and on the counters and shelves, and experiencing the sensation of rocking, believed at first that
they were gvictims of hallucinations. The violence of the disturbance increasing, however, and finally
culminating in a slight though distinct shock, these beliefs were dispelled, and the true nature of the
phenomenon became apparent. A few were badly frightened, but no damage whatever was done.
