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Special Events - August: Spike and Rail Celebration - Old-fashioned family fun for all ages with a parade, barbecue beef dinner, dancing and lots of entertainment for everyone. Funds raised from the celebration are used in developing and maintaining the historical railroad depot and museum. |
Metolius had its beginnings in the early 1900s, with the construction of the railroad starting in 1905. The track was completed in 1911, and with the continued support of the railroad by 1917 Metolius had grown to a population of over 1,700.
With the droughts and depression of the 1930s the city's population was reduced to fewer than 100.
In the 1940s the irrigation project again brought growth to Central Oregon, however Metolius found it had a problem. In the 1920s the city had issued bonds to finance a municipal project and although the city had the money to pay all the bonds off when due they were unable to locate the holder of one of the bonds. Consequently, no one locating in Metolius could get clear title to their property. The owner of the bond was not found until 1958 and the city has experienced steady growth since that time.
Our residents enjoy quiet neighborhoods filled with flower and vegetable gardens that flourish with North Unit Irrigation water supplied by a pressurized system to all city lots.