Praying for Oregon Couties: Sherman
Sherman County Wind Turbines
He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power
made the south wind to blow. Psalms 78:26
As you drive I-84 along the Columbia River going east,
Sherman County is next after Wasco County and was, in fact, created out of a
portion of Wasco County in 1889. It was named after the Civil War general,
William Tecumseh Sherman.
I associate Sherman County with Biggs Junction, a “census-designated
place” at a crossroads where you can turn south onto US 97 to reach the
interior of the county and the incorporated towns of Wasco and Moro, or turn north
to cross the Columbia into eastern Washington. While we often stop for lunch and/or
gas there, I don’t recall ever turning south at Biggs Junction. We are usually
traveling to visit family in Washington, and cross the Columbia there on the
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge.
The pioneers on the Oregon Trail did turn south,
though, some electing to not continue on up the Columbia to the Willamette
Valley, instead liking the looks of the high desert country of Sherman County.
William Graham is credited with being the first homesteader in the area, taking
up land at the mouth of the Deschutes River in 1858. More settlers followed,
first ranchers with cattle and sheep, and then farmers who found the area ideal
for growing wheat. Today Sherman County produces the most grain of any county
in Oregon.
Sherman County is also known for windmills. I had not
traveled east for several years, and when I resumed driving I-84, I came to
Biggs Junction, crossed to the Washington side on US 97 and found myself
driving up into a forest of huge windmills which dot the landscape there. That
first time was breathtaking and I still enjoy seeing the windmills, although I
know they are controversial. Going south on US 97, there are even more in the
northeastern corner of Sherman County, with
one of the largest windfarms near the town of Wasco. The dry desert air meeting
the moist western side air creates the strong winds needed for windfarms.
The whole county has less than 2000 population, so it
should be no surprise that Wasco, the largest town, has a population around 400,
and Moro, the county seat, a little over 300.
In researching the towns of Sherman County, I came
across some interesting stories. One centered around a “haunted house” in
Wasco, and pioneer house that now serves as a B &B, but has a rather dark background.
One of the reasons I look into the history of Oregon as part of a prayer
strategy is because old events leave a spiritual imprint behind and I believe
praying over those places, repenting of evil deeds (of others), and speaking blessings
brings healing and light into the atmosphere. The old homesteads and the old
photos of pioneers of Oregon appear quaint and picturesque, but I often sense
undertones of hardship, grief and injustice.
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| Locus Grove Church, Wasco, OR |
Methodist circuit riders from the Walla Walla District
were holding services in Sherman County as early as 1860, and the very first
church in the county was built in Wasco by the Methodists in 1883. That
building was replaced in 1902 and is now the United Methodist church and is
still active.
An interesting fact about the Sherman County
courthouse in Moro: Built in 1899, it is one of only three original courthouses
in the state to still be in use.
The county is governed by a county court system with Judge Joe Dabulskis the chairman
and Joan Bird and Justin Miller the commissioners.
How do we pray for
Sherman County?
He
grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. Psalm 147: 14
Pray for the
leadership: Judge Joe Dabulskis, Joan Bird, Justin Miller
Pray for peace and
prosperity in Sherman County.
Pray for the churches of Sherman County including the United Methodist and St. Mary’s Parish in Wasco; First Baptist Church in Grass Valley; and Community Presbyterian Church in Moro;
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