Hello,

Baker City Community Description:

Most of our class lives in Baker City - a small city of just over 10,000 in population in eastern Oregon. The nearest fairly large city is in another state. That city is Boise, Idaho which is about 130 miles to the east.

Baker County is somewhat like a high desert plateau. We are roughly 3,000 feet above sea level. We have the Elkhorn Mountains to the west and the Snake River to the east.

Most of our water in the summer comes from the snow that falls high up in the mountains in the winter. The farmers irrigate their crops. Many farmers grow hay although some grow wheat, potatoes, and other crops. Some crops do not do well in our climate where the nights are often very cool even in the summertime.

While we have a small airport and air service, the closest full scale airport is in Boise. Our town has its own hospital and many other services.

Some of the occupations of our parents are electricians, truckers, USFS employees, cement plant employees, wood product employees, bullet plant employee, office workers, insurance agents, teaching assistant, oil spill specialist, multi-media producer, builders and construction workers, engineer, cleaners, handyman, and care-givers.

Our K-6 school has fewer than 380 students. We have two second grades with 27 students in each. Our class has 14 boys and 13 girls. Several boys and girls come to school by bus because they live out of town. Others are brought to school by parents in cars. Some walk.

Come to Baker County where you can camp, hike, fish, boat, ski and hunt. You might see elk, deer, bears, coyotes, foxes, wolves as well as many horses and other farm animals. Occasionally, the sighting of a cougar is reported. You can also learn a lot about the Oregon Trail (which came through our country) at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Please send us your community description.

From:
Shadow and Mrs. Zimmer's Second Grade