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An Elegant Bed and Breakfast
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1612 Walnut Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850
Toll Free: 888-2UNWIND (888-286-9463)
Tel & Fax: (541) 963-2400
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1612 Walnut Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850
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In the entry are brochures on points of interest, as are maps showing the location
of the restaurants we suggest. Some menus for these establishments are on hand.
Reservations are suggested. A one-night deposit is needed to hold a reservation. We accept Visa and MasterCard, personal check, even cash!
Cancellations must be made before 6 p.m. two days prior to the day of reservation, otherwise one night's lodging will be charged.
Children 12 years and older are most welcome. Sorry, no pets, no smoking, no sleeping bags, no jumping on the beds!
Check-in 3-7 p.m., other times by arrangement. Breakfast served at a time of your choice between 6:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Check-out 11 a.m.
Small meeting groups welcome. Small Weddings or receptions are welcome, please
call for information and date availability.
The main course is typically eggs and croissants, French toast, omlets, souffles, vegetable frittata, buttermilk pancakes, waffles, or eggs benedict. (What is actually served seems to depend on the chef's feelings!)
Breakfast is served in the dining room at a time of your choosing between 6:30
& 9:00 a.m.
Most people think of Eastern Oregon as a dry sagebrush desert. It is, except for the northeast corner of the state which contains the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mts. have many peaks that exceed 9,000 feet and are a young, rugged range that receives lots of rain and snow. They're green, scenic and accessible.
The La Grande area itself has an agriculture, mining and timber history stretching back to the 1860's. The town itself is actually on the Oregon Trail, the only town so located. Our 'things to do' list largely relates to this history and the natural beauty of the area.
Several in town. Experienced antiquers tell us they occasionally make a real find, as the stock mostly comes from local estates. Prices are less than in the metropolitan areas.
An old house. Have a cup of coffee while you look at cookbooks in the kitchen, reference books in the closet and self-help on the back porch. They may have insomniac books in the bedroom! (Washington Avenue)
Good coffee, great atmosphere, with lots of local color. Relax at a table indoors or sit outdoors; these are actual local people, not mannequins or shills. (Adams Avenue downtown).
Gifts, particularly local creations (Adams Avenue)
Used books, very well organized, helpful people (Adams Avenue)
Fine clothing, unique furniture, assorted gifts, and coprolite (Depot Street).
Located on the corner of 6th & Penn is a fun shop that is a gallery and a gift boutique. Demonstrations of Raku firing every 3rd Thursday.
Sorry, just joking!
On a hill outside Baker City, the Center brings the Trail to life. Displays, short films, dramatic presentations, and period-dressed volunteers all recreate life on the trail. You can't believe how big oxen are until you stand beside one. The only unrealistic thing about the Center is that the drinking water is not contaminated! Unlike the original trail, there is a small admission fee. Open most of the year. An hour from La Grande, allow 1-3 hours for the Center itself.
In the Blue Mountains about twelve miles from La Grande, the Park lets you walk alongside the Trail -- or walk on it. You'll be impressed by the depth of the ruts. Wonderful picnic area too. $5 per car. Open May to October.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike), we'll provide the route maps. Or just pedal around town; its 20's ambience makes for a good ride.
Downhill at Anthony Lakes and Sprout Springs, both about an hour's drive. There's excellent, free, groomed, cross country at the La Grande Nordic Club's area about twelve miles from La Grande.
There are two challenging courses in the valley:
La Grande Country Club is 4 miles from Stange Manor and while they are a private course they will allow reservations for out of town visitors.
Buffalo Peak Golf Course is 17 miles from Stange Manor in the town of Union. Buffalo Peak is a public course that opened in 2001 and offers great views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
August Stange was the son of a Wisconsin family who had a sash and door manufacturing firm. The father became concerned for their future as the Wisconsin mills were slowly closing down for lack of timber.
In 1912 he and his son August, age 22, came to Eastern Oregon to acquire timber land. They did so, buying several thousand timbered acres northwest of La Grande. They formed the Mt. Emily Timber Company, and August stayed to manage it. His father returned to Wisconsin.
After going back to Wisconsin during WWI, August returned permanently to Eastern Oregon with his wife and two daughters. He convinced the family that they should build a sawmill in La Grande. When they approved he promptly built La Grande's largest mill, completing it in 1923. The house was next -- a local architect designed the Manor and oversaw its construction. Only the finest material were used -- many were imported from Europe. August was meticulous and the architect strove to meet his demands. The specification for the crown moulding, for instance, stated, "When finished it shall be perfect in every respect." The molding , and the rest of the house, was!
The Stange home is a Georgian Colonial, two floors with a full basement and a rough-finished attic -- a total of about 9,000 square feet. It has four bathrooms upstairs, one per sleeping area -- highly unusual in that era. All floors are oak, the multitude of closets are all cedar lined. The interior woodwork was given seven coats of paint -- much of it has never needed to be repainted, even today!
August, wife Priscilla, and family lived in the house for thirty-seven years.
The house today stands as a monument to a very capable man, a business and social leader and a force
in the development of the Eastern Oregon timber industry.
Oregon is geographically divided by the Cascade Mountains, which run north-south . The western side of the Cascades receives lots of rain, is green, mostly wooded and lower in elevation. It's what most people think of as "Oregon."
The eastern side, which is larger, is mostly high sagebrush desert -- low in rain, long on clear air and cowboy heritage. A notable exception is the area of the Blue Mountains in this northeast corner of the state. Ranging up to nearly 10,000 feet, the Blues are scenic, forested and a natural playground. The Snake River cuts through the Blues at the Oregon-Idaho border to create Hells Canyon, the deepest in the U.S. The Wallowa Mountains, a segment of the Blues, rise spectacularly from their valley, giving rise to the name "The Switzerland of America." Despite the beauty and recreation opportunities, the east side of the state is largely unkown.
La Grande is in the heart of the Blue Mountains. It sits at the edge of the Grande Ronde valley, a rich farming area ringed by wooded mountains. The valley, which is roughly oval and geologically interesting, was spoken of almost reverently by the Oregon Trail pioneers. One diary after another called it "The most beautiful valley we've ever seen." It really is pretty! La Grande itself has tree lined streets, front porches and lots of fine old homes.
La Grande is regularly used as a hub to explore the area. Easy day trips take you to:
How to dress? All of eastern Oregon is very informal. You'll never be embarrassed to find you're underdressed in any restaurant or public area. There are lots of shorts in the summer, but few halter tops. Cowboy boots are always in!!
Summer temperatures range up to 95 degrees (with low humidity), and cool evenings. Shorts and light airy clothes are the norm, with a jacket sometimes needed in the late evening. In the fall, when the leaves change, there are frosty nights and beautiful, clear, 75 degree days. Fall is a favorite with many people. Winters occasionally get down to 0 degrees with snow on the ground typically from December to February. Some winter days don't get above freezing -- great for cross-country and downhill skiing, both of which are nearby. Spring is often cloudy, but the brilliant green of new leaves and the burst of flowers makes the town sparkle!
Lastly, a bit about the people of eastern Oregon. They're down-to-earth, small-town folks who are friendly,
and really mean it. You won't find bored, tourist-weary helpers here! The supermarket checker asks how you are,
and drivers wave to each other when they meet. They may recognize you as out-of-towner, but they'll treat you the
same as they treat each other.
La Grande is on Interstate 84, between Pendleton and Baker City. That puts us about 260 miles east of Portland, and around 170 highway miles west of Boise, Idaho.
Once you're in the vicinity, here are directions on finding Stange Manor at 1612 Walnut:
From West/North (from Portland, Salem, etc.):
Take I84's Exit 259, proceed on old Hwy 30 about a mile to La Grande. As you
enter town, the road makes a sweeping left turn. After that, immediately turn
right on the first regular street, Walnut. Go three blocks, Stange Manor will
be on your right at the corner of Spring & Walnut. Use the driveway off Spring
Avenue.
From East/South (from Boise, etc.):
Take I84 Exit 261, turn left (west) onto Island Avenue, proceed about a mile
to the stop sign at Washington. Continue across the intersection, veering to
the right onto N Avenue. Go thirteen blocks, turn right on Walnut. After three
blocks, Stange Manor will be on your left at the corner of Spring & Walnut.
Use the driveway off Spring Avenue.