PRAIRIE CITY – The year is 1865, nearing the end of the Civil War, and the thriving little community of Dixie Town neighbors the military post of Camp Logan.

That was the scene last weekend as Prairie City School and community members hosted the annual Camp Logan Days, May 31-June 1.

Events included re-enactments of camp life and crafts during the day and a dance and pie social Saturday night at school. Clothing from the 18th century was showcased and there were period weapons demonstrations.

The town of Dixie sprang up just a few miles north of present-day Prairie City, with the discovery of gold in a nearby stream, now known as Dixie Creek, in 1862. As the gold disappeared, Dixie eventually moved a bit further down toward the John Day River and the “prairie” area of the valley. Prairie City was incorporated in 1891.

Camp Logan was a Civil War military post a few miles south toward the Strawberry Mountains, established about 1865 by the First Oregon Volunteers. It was one of four outposts along the Canyon City-Boise route, housing 100-200 men and included a hospital, cookhouse, stables and officers’ quarters. It continued to operate after the war until 1869.

This year’s Camp Logan Days was hit by rain and hail, but plenty of visitors braved the weather to experience a little bit of history.