Ontario is a child of the railroad. The railroad was the Oregon Short Line, which was built west from Wyoming to connect Oregon with the rest of the United States. The line joined at Huntington with the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company's tracks built east from Portland.

The first site of a town in this vicinity was at the "Siding" south of the present town. When on June 11, 1883, William Morfitt, James W. Virtue, Daniel Smith and Mrs. Mary Richardson each exercised their desert land right on four sections that had a common meeting point - behind the old Ontario city hall - the site was surveyed by Morfitt and Ontario was on its way.

There are several different versions as to how Ontario received its name, although everyone is agreed the name was bestowed by James W. Virtue in honor of his home province, Ontario, Canada. Morfitt apparently wanted to name the new town "lone" in honor of his daughter who was the first schoolteacher here. Richardson also had a suggested name for the new town. According to one version, Virtue's choice was accepted after he drew the lucky number from a hat.

When you need to shop, attend a cultural event or obtain professional services, you will enjoy Ontario. Serving as the retail, service and medical center for 167,000 people within a 45-mile radius. Ontario provides a great place for residents to meet for a meal at one of our many restaurants. Delicious dining choices include Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Chinese and Euro-American recipes, as well as good old-fashioned, "home cooked" meals.

The Four Rivers Cultural Center has events with a wide variety of historical and ethnic interest. An authentic Japanese Garden is in the works to provide visitors with a beautiful and tranquil atmosphere for observation and contemplation. A 600-seat theater offers stage productions for drama, music, and other group events.

Treasure Valley Community College provides educational, athletic, musical, and cultural activities for students and the public. The college has excellent relationships with several nearby four-year colleges and with many of the area high schools. It gives an academic environment for people to pursue their dreams. Ontario School District 8C includes a high school, a middle school and five elementary schools for 2,800 students. There is also one private school and charter school serving around 200 students, kindergarten through eighth grade, two head start programs serving 250 students, and several day care/pre-school centers. A local association provides support for home schooling families. An extension of Eastern Oregon University is housed in the Four Rivers Cultural Center next to the Oregon State University Extension Service building.

Located in Oregon's only county inside the Mountain time zone, Ontario has an agriculturally-based economy. Crops include onions, potatoes, sugar beets, corn, alfalfa, mint, seeds, grain, and hay. Livestock raised locally include cattle, sheep, llamas and buffalo. Trucking companies as well as Union Pacific rail lines help transport these commodities and processed food products to markets throughout the nation and world.

Medical facilities are excellent. Holy Rosary Medical Center has a 92-bed acute care wing and a level III trauma center. A Life Flight service can deliver patients for tertiary care to two regional hospitals within 30 minutes air time. HRMC provides all primary care services and most surgical sub- specialties. Two medical clinics, a modern nursing home, and several specialty medical, dental and pharmaceutical facilities complete the medical community. Ontario also has several assisted-living facilities. Special provisions are available for seniors, the disabled and low-income families, including transportation and housing. Federal, state, and county agencies located in Ontario as well as the city council, mayor and staff serve the public. Interstate 84, Oregon Highways 20/26, 30 and 201 all pass through Ontario. U.S. Highway 95, which goes north and south, part in Idaho and part in Oregon, connects with Ontario via the Snake River bridge. These highways make it easy to get to Ontario, to recreational areas and major cities.

A local general aviation airport offers charter service and other Fixed Based Operator services. One hour away in Boise, Idaho, there is a full commercial airport where several major airlines provide daily flights to medium and large cities in all compass directions.

Recreation opportunities abound with a local community aquatic center, an 18-hole municipal golf course, movie theater with eight screens, bowling alley, fitness centers, Four Rivers Cultural Center Museum and over 61 acres of parks, five municipal parks, one state park and skate park. Other area reaction includes swimming, water skiing, bicycling, boating, hunting, hiking and fishing. Snow sports can also be found on nearby mountain slopes. A seasonal sporting activities and school athletic teams provide children and young adults competitive challenges. The city recreation department administers competitive challenges for several children and young adults. The city recreation department administers several sports leagues and recreational activities for children and adults.

Major local events include the America's Global Village Festival, Japanese-American Obon Festival, Malheur County Fair, Winter Wonderland Parade, October Faire, Ontario Aire Faire, and Basque Dinner & Dance. The Malheur County Fairground hosts events year-round. Civic clubs sponsor a variety of activities and events that are social and recreational. Snake River Sportsman Club is a hunter's paradise; Pheasants Forever is involved in both recreation and conservation.

A wide diversity of religious groups provide opportunity for worship and volunteer service. There are thirty congregations of different persuasions. Ontario is the home of the only Buddhist Temple in Eastern Oregon. Many activities are held by these spiritual groups, including city-wide events led by the local ministers association.

A host of civic and non-profit organizations provide volunteer service to meet the needs of the community. Child, youth, and adult groups focus on activities for many kinds of cultural, character building, fund raising and supportive activities every week.

Local newspapers, radio stations, cable TV and broadcast TV stations provide Ontario with information and entertainment. Ontario schools are linked with other county municipalities in a wide-area network. Internet Service Providers give Ontario businesses and residents access to the world wide web. The Southeast Oregon Library Network links the Ontario City/County Library with the TVCC, Vale, and Nyssa libraries, each of which are also connected to the Internet. The City/County Library sponsors many activities for children, and has a bookmobile serving the rural county areas during the spring, summer, and fall.

Housing exists for all types of people. Activities are available to meet everyone's interests. Average annual temperatures in the winter are 42 F with average summer time temperature at 93 F. Ontario provides a majority of sunny days in our wonderful high desert climate. Ontario also has definite seasonal changes. The sunsets are fantastic, and most of the time, the clear night skies are filled with bright stars and a glowing moon.

Here are some links to Ontario:
City of Ontario
Ontario School District
Treasure Valley Community College
Eastern Oregon University Ontario Office
Treasure Valley Rental Association
Community Resource Guide

Send mail to ontvcb@fmtc.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Last modified: 07/17/08