Created By: Lorin Kubishta
In 1879, a young Norwegian named Peter Hjelsing dug the original well for Helix on a quarter section of land that he had acquired by "right of discovery and preemption." Hjelsing decided that because it was ten miles to the nearest town, Centerville (Athena), and 18 miles to Pendleton, the next nearest, a town was demanded in that portion of the county. In the summer of 1882, with John Arnold as engineer, Hjelsing surveyed and platted the town of Helix.
He was to sell his land to A.J. Richmond several years later, and worked hard to develop Helix into a self-sustaining pioneer town.
Although the town was established in 1882, its residents didn't hold its first organizational meeting until 1903. The name Oxford was first chosen as the town's name, but it was rejected because another post office in Oregon had chosen that name.
A well-known resident of the area who was called "Pop" Henderson, had been suffering from an earache. This prompted him to see a doctor and, during the examination, the doctor diagnosed that the affected part of the ear was known as the "helix." This was a new word to Henderson and he could not forget it. As he walked down the street, he met the postmaster, Orange Switzler who asked Henderson for a suggestion for the town's name. "Oh hell, call it Helix," said Henderson. And so, they did. This 2011 story in the Oregonian discusses the naming of the town.
Helix has maintained its small-town charm, with a population of around 200 residents and has a strong sense of community.
Today, Helix is known for its picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The town also hosts the Heart of the Country Rodeo and the Wheatstock Music Festival which help to bring the community together and celebrate the town’s rich history.
The Helix Historical Walking Tour consists of 18 sites of historical significance in the small city of Helix, Oregon. The tour begins at the heart of the city--the historic Griswold Union High School. Those taking the tour may follow the route as shown, or pick it up at any point along the way.
The full walking tour is 1.6 miles in length and is estimated to take approximately 90 minutes to complete, depending on pace.
Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.