Fossil, Oregon

The City of Fossil was incorporated in 1891. Named by Thomas B. Hoover, who was removing some fossil remains on his ranch at the time the small community post office was established. This suggested the name of the new office. The post office was established Feb. 28, 1876, at the ranch of Thomas B. Hoover, who was the first postmaster. Fossil is the county seat of Wheeler County and lies 20 miles south of Condon on Highway 19. Fossil is about an hour's drive from the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The population of Fossil was listed in the 2000 census at 470. The elevation of Fossil is 2,654 feet.

Fossil listed as 2003 All-America City finalist
The city of Fossil was selected as one of the 30 finalist communities for the 2003 All America City Award, the nation's most prestigious civic recognition program. Only nine Oregon cities have received the designation since the program began 54 years ago. The All-America City Award, a program of the National Civic League, encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring communities in which residents, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations work collaboratively. Fossil's application was based largely on The Paleo Project, a regional sustainability project based on recognition of the region's world-class fossil and geologic resources. Source: Marketplace: Mid-Columbia Issue 36.

City offices
PO Box 467
Fossil, OR 97830
Phone: 541-763-2698
Fax: 541-763-2124
Email: fossilcity@centurytel.net

Fossil Museum

A presentation of artifacts relating to Fossil's history. The museum displays include the original post office window from Fossil Post Office on Hoover Creek, desk and church pews from the ghost town of Richmond, and the largest photographic collection of Wheeler County history in the state.
Hours: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10am-2pm, 7 days a week.
Open by appointment the rest of the year.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
The monument is divided into three units: Painted Hills (named for the delicately colored stratifications) northwest of Mitchell, Sheep Rock which is northwest of Dayville, and Clarno which is 20 miles west of Fossil. Don't miss Blue Basin - a volcanic ash bowl transformed into claystone by eons of erosion, colored pastel blue by minerals. Hike the trail at the base of stunning palisades, where fossils of prehistoric plants can be discovered.

The taking of fossils from the John Day Fossil Beds is strictly forbidden, so the Public Digging Beds in the city of Fossil provides a rare opportunity for the public to dig for fossils. The Public Digging Beds are located behind Wheeler High School.

City & Government Offices, Schools
City of Fossil
(541) 763-2698

Fossil School District Office
(541) 763-4384

National Park Service - Fossil Beds
(541) 987-2333

Wheeler County Fairgrounds
(541) 763-4560

Wheeler County Offices
(541) 763-2400

Wheeler County Sheriff
(541) 763-4101
Emergency 911

Medical & Ambulance Services
Ambulance Dial 9-1-1
Asher Clinic & Home Health
Jay Street, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2725

Churches
First Baptist Church of Fossil
(541) 763-2841

United Methodist Church
Fossil, OR
(541) 763-4476

Businesses

Antiques & Collectibles
1st Street, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2127

Big Sarvice Corral
(541) 468-2121
40380 Hwy 19
between Fossil & Spray

Bridge Creek Flora Inn
(541) 763-2355
828 Main, Fossil, OR
fossilinn@transport.com

Burnt Ranch Juniper
555 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-4100
Specializing in handcrafted juniper furniture and gift items.

Cherry Hill Painting Company
Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3191

Deb's Country Beauty Salon
Washington & 1st Street, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2121

Drop-A-Stitch
555 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2531

Fossil Cafe
Fossil, Oregon
(541) 763-4328

Fossil Fuel
1001 Main, Fossil, Oregon
(541) 763-4766

Fossil General Mercantile
555 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-4617
merc1883@centurytel.net

Fossil Hardware & Building Supply
690 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3441

Fossil Motel & Trailer Park
(541) 763-4075
105 1st Street, Fossil, OR

Haven House Retirement Center
(541) 763-4651
714 Main, Fossil, OR

H&H Automotive, LLC
609 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2323

Jim Doherty Construction
611 Willow St., Spray, OR
(541) 468-2012
Homes, barns, remodeling

Jimmie Miller's Studio & Gallery
A & Rutledge Streets, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3860

Mah-Hah Outfitters
1st Street, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2277
http://www.johndayriverfishing.com/

Mortimore Juniper Log Homes
Twickenham Road, Fossil, OR
(541) 462-3020

Mt. Valley Land Company
695 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-4426

O’Brien House
(541) 763-2236
202 W. 1st Street, Fossil, OR
ter-flem@1stworld.net

Our Little Country
670 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3351

Painted Hills Natural Beef
1001 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-2333

Pine Creek Outfitters
Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3662
pinecreekoutfitters.com

Steiwer Insurance/Investment
Main Street, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-4426

Wasmundt's Gun Shop
680 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3041

Wheeler County Title, Inc.
(541) 763-4426
www.realestateoutback.com

Wild River Ranch
Hwy 19, between Fossil & Spray
(541) 468-2900

Wilson Ranches Retreat Bed & Breakfast
PO Box 274
16555 Butte Creek Road
Fossil OR 97830
(541) 763-2227

Wright Chevrolet
2nd & Main, Fossil, OR 1-800-336-0057
(541) 763-4175

ZONON
680 Main, Fossil, OR
(541) 763-3041

Area Attractions and Festivals

Asher Car Museum
1st Street, Fossil, Oregon

Fossil City Museum
located in the Historic Schoolhouse and Courthouse
(541) 763-2698

Fossil Quilt Show
Half Marathon - Labor Day
(541) 763-4617

John Day Fossil Beds
Clarno and Painted Hills Units
(541) 763-2203

Kinzua Hills Golf Course
Open May until early Fall.

Painted Hills Festival
(541) 462-3585
Labor Day Weekend, Mitchell, OR

Wheeler County Mule Days
(541) 763-4560
2nd Weekend in August, Fossil, OR

Wheeler County Horse Show
(541) 763-4560
1st Weekend in August, Fossil, OR

Wheeler County Parks
Bear Hollow, Bull Prairie, Donnelly River Site, Muleshoe
Shelton Park, and Wineland Lake.
(541) 763-2010

Sources:
http://www.wheelerinfo.com

Wheeler County - Oregon's Best Kept Secret

Wheeler County News

Wheeler County Weather

Oregon Geographic Names, Sixth Edition, 1992, Lewis L. McArthur, Oregon Historical Society Press, ISBN O-87595-237-2.

Oregon Blue Book, 2003-2004 edition, Published by Oregon State Secretary of State, 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 180, Salem, OR 97310, ISBN 0-9669719-2-2.