Journey Through Time Scenic Byway
Encyclopedia
Journey Through Time Scenic Byway is a scenic byway in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It spans five Oregon counties and comprises portions of U.S. Route 97
, Oregon Route 218, Oregon Route 19
, U.S. Route 26
, and Oregon Route 7. The John Day River
meanders through much of its route. The byway offers glimpses into the geologic and pioneer history of Oregon.
south through Shaniko
to Antelope
, then turns east on OR 218 to Fossil
. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
is nearby. From Fossil the byway continues on OR 19
, turns southward near Kimberly
, and goes generally eastward again on U.S. 26
. On U.S. 26 it passes through the communities of Dayville
, Mount Vernon
, John Day
, and Prairie City
. At Austin Junction
it continues on OR 7 eastward to Baker City
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It spans five Oregon counties and comprises portions of U.S. Route 97
U.S. Route 97 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 97 is a major north–south United States highway which runs through the state of Oregon . In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Klamath Falls, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Biggs Junction, Oregon and...
, Oregon Route 218, Oregon Route 19
Oregon Route 19
Oregon Route 19 is an Oregon state highway in the north-central part of the state. It runs from Interstate 84 at Arlington in the Columbia River Gorge to a junction with U.S. Route 26 in Grant County, near the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Oregon Route 19 is the...
, U.S. Route 26
U.S. Route 26 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 26 is a major cross-state state highway, connecting U.S. Route 101 on the Oregon Coast near Seaside with the Idaho state line east of Nyssa. Local highway names include the Sunset Highway No. 47, Mount Hood Highway No. 26, and John Day Highway No...
, and Oregon Route 7. The John Day River
John Day River
The John Day River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in northeastern Oregon in the United States. Undammed along its entire length, the river is the third longest free-flowing river in the conterminous United States. There is extensive use of its waters for irrigation. Its...
meanders through much of its route. The byway offers glimpses into the geologic and pioneer history of Oregon.
Route description
From Biggs, the byway follows U.S. 97U.S. Route 97 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 97 is a major north–south United States highway which runs through the state of Oregon . In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Klamath Falls, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Biggs Junction, Oregon and...
south through Shaniko
Shaniko, Oregon
Shaniko is a city located in Wasco County, Oregon, United States, on U.S. Route 97 and about eight miles north of Antelope. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 26—a virtual ghost town whose preservation is being spearheaded by investments from Robert B...
to Antelope
Antelope, Oregon
Antelope is a city in Wasco County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 46.-History:The Antelope Valley was probably named by members of Joseph Sherar's party who were packing supplies to mines in the John Day area. Sherar became known as the operator of a toll bridge...
, then turns east on OR 218 to Fossil
Fossil, Oregon
Fossil is a city in and the county seat of Wheeler County, Oregon, United States. The name was chosen by the first postmaster, Thomas B. Hoover, who had found some fossil remains on his ranch. The population was 473 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a U.S. National Monument in Wheeler and Grant counties in east-central Oregon. Located within the John Day River basin and managed by the National Park Service, the park is known for its well-preserved layers of fossil plants and mammals that lived in the...
is nearby. From Fossil the byway continues on OR 19
Oregon Route 19
Oregon Route 19 is an Oregon state highway in the north-central part of the state. It runs from Interstate 84 at Arlington in the Columbia River Gorge to a junction with U.S. Route 26 in Grant County, near the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Oregon Route 19 is the...
, turns southward near Kimberly
Kimberly, Oregon
Kimberly is an unincorporated community in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is located at the intersection of Oregon Route 19 and Oregon Route 402 and the confluence of the John Day and the North Fork John Day rivers....
, and goes generally eastward again on U.S. 26
U.S. Route 26 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 26 is a major cross-state state highway, connecting U.S. Route 101 on the Oregon Coast near Seaside with the Idaho state line east of Nyssa. Local highway names include the Sunset Highway No. 47, Mount Hood Highway No. 26, and John Day Highway No...
. On U.S. 26 it passes through the communities of Dayville
Dayville, Oregon
Dayville is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It was incorporated in 1913. The population was 138 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
, Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Oregon
Mount Vernon is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. The population was 595 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, John Day
John Day, Oregon
John Day is a city located about north of Canyon City in Grant County, Oregon, at the intersection of U.S. Routes 26 and 395. The city was named for the nearby John Day River, which had been named for a Virginian member of the 1811 Astor Expedition, John Day...
, and Prairie City
Prairie City, Oregon
Prairie City is a city in Grant County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,080 at the 2000 census. The community was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 23, 1891.-History:...
. At Austin Junction
Austin Junction, Oregon
Austin Junction is an unincorporated locale in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is at the intersection of U.S. Route 26 and Oregon Route 7, about 2.5 miles south of Austin in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. The Austin House, a combination café, grocery store, gas station and tavern at...
it continues on OR 7 eastward to Baker City
Baker City, Oregon
Baker City is a city in and the county seat of Baker County, Oregon, United States. It was named after Edward D. Baker. The population was 9,828 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.