Editor’s Note: The City of Dayville is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. This article, contributed by the City of Dayville, was taken from the June 25, 1915, issue of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The writer is unknown – other than a self-reference as the “Buzz Bee.”

For real money the little town of Dayville, which slumbers like the principality of some great estate at the confluence of the John Day River and the South Fork, 35 miles west of Canyon City, has the bank roll. Money is no particular object in Dayville.

This statement is of course understood in its comparative sense, where the exertion to make a living in their town is taken into consideration. The people, who are so fortunate as to live at or near Dayville, live easy, and always have on hand that metallic substance which is so conveniently and readily converted into the necessities of life or the pleasures thereof.

And why not? Dayville is the hothouse of the garden of the John Day Valley, It is where sheep and roses meet; where thousands of sheep contribute to the wealth of the district, and where roses bloom in such profusion that Dayville is easily the rose city of the county. Now we are just breaking into the first few lines of the first chapter, for here it is, that the ranges of the sloping hills and the fertile soil produce such abundance of the famous bunch grass that thousands of horses and cattle roam unmolested with nothing to do but grow fat. No reason why Dayville is not the richest school district in the county with more than $400,000, assessable property within the school district, and where a one mill school levy supported one of the best schools in the county.

The elevation of Dayville is about 2,000 feet; with this modulated climate, gardens grow like magic. Fruit, berries and gardens reach a perfected state in this favored locality and alfalfa grows great. No wonder Dayville is a rich district and no perplexing conundrums concerning its future. But Dayville is more than just a rich section of Grant County. It is a most pleasant place to live and it is doubtful if there is any section of the county where the people get the real wholesome enjoyment and fraternalize socially as they do in this little town. They tend their flocks, ride their range, watch their gardens grow and meet one and all in social entertainment and although the population is about 200, social functions are greeted with more attendance than can be secured in most towns of double or three times the population.

It might be sufficient to refer to the MacRae ranch, better known as Glenshiel Farm. This is by far the most beautiful place in this part of the state. The mere matter of it being the home ranch for 10,000 or 12,000 sheep is incident to the beauty of the place. The house and grounds are pretentious although not modern but a beautiful home and its old lines only add to the general appearance. The acres of lawn, flowers, graveled walkways, driveways and secluded nooks make a feature of attraction. It is questionable if there is a more beautiful ranch in Oregon.

In the late spring and early summer, Dayville takes on the busy scene of a busy people. This is during the lambing and shearing season. This is when thousands of sheep keep the people busy and when a few weeks later the wagons in caravans loaded with wool start for the railroad in Prairie City, 45 miles to the east of the John Day Valley.

Dayville is an incorporated city. This important event transpired about two years ago when J.E. Snow took his seat at the Mayor’s desk. Mr. Snow also enjoys the distinction of being the postmaster, Justice of the Peace, United States Commissioner, notary Public, telephone operator, legal advisor, farmer and secretary of the Grant County Stockgrowers Association. We might intimate that Mr. Snow is a very busy man and many do not understand how he attends to all his work except for the fact of Mrs. Snow, who is a contributing factor.

Mrs. William Wyllie presides over the Municipal Court and this is some diction for a lady when it is considered that this is where the tender of flocks so often meet in convivial congeniality. But Mayor Snow and Recorder Wyllie have lived an active life and are always looking to the general welfare. Some time ago they erected a town hall in order to have headquarters for official business transactions. They have just completed arrangements to have real sidewalks like other prospering thriving towns of the golden west. Dayville can accomplish most anything that the people desire for the simple reason that they have the county and the increment of raw wealth that makes contemplated improvements so easy.

One of the big stores of the county is the Interior Trading Company. People of Dayville do not deal in two-bits worth of goods; they want $100 worth, yes and much more. It takes big orders to run big ranches, and this store is amply stocked to meet the demands. Confections and drugs are handled by G.C. Glover, who recently purchased the Rex L. Sweek store. The hotels are not only good but they like the store; have to be in a good place like Dayville. Mrs. Mag Glover, who has owned the Cottage Hotel since 1890 has made quite a reputation as a cook of a fine sense of proportion for the hungry and knows just what the palate is for. The Dayville Hotel is also up to fine standards and is presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Hy Munjar.

It might be well to mention the other places of business and the people but the purpose of this news note was to call attention to the fact that Dayville is the garden spot and the Rose City of the grand old Grant County.