Area Highlights & History

Video Highlights

As shown on Good Morning Northwest on KVEW42

About Our Community

In the 1800’s, the separate towns of Milton and Freewater incorporated, Milton in 1889 and Freewater in 1892. Lying in the southern part of the Walla Walla River Valley, hearty pioneer families found an ideal climate and plenty of elbowroom. Milton and Freewater merged in 1950 as the town that bears the name Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Located on Oregon Highway 11 in the northeastern part of Umatilla County, it is 34 miles northeast of Pendleton, Oregon and 10 miles south of Walla Walla, Washington.

Here in the mild climate near Oregon’s Blue Mountains, our friendly population welcomes you to a variety of outdoor activities; excellent steelhead fishing, deer, elk and upland game bird hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobile trails, hiking, camping and picnicking are all within short distances from Milton-Freewater. In town you may enjoy our 35 acres of parks, tennis courts, 18-hole executive golf course, aquatic center and racquetball courts. A visit to our local Frazier Farmstead, maintained by the Milton-Freewater Historical Society, is a treat for history buffs. Frazier Farmstead Museum is open April – December, Thursday through Sunday. Settled by community founder W.S. Frazier in 1868, the six acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a “turn of the century” home with many original furnishings, several farm buildings, flower, herb and rose gardens. Umatilla County’s oldest structure, the McCoy Cabin, was built in 1856 and has been relocated to the Farmstead grounds for preservation.

History enthusiasts will also enjoy a visit to our portal kiosk containing area maps with points of local historical interest. Numerous seasonal tours and other suggestions for how to spend time are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Information Center.

Evenings might include, a visit to the Fort Walla Walla Museum Complex and Amphitheater, or a concert featuring the Walla Walla Symphony. See a theatrical production at Harper Joy Theater on the Whitman College Campus, Walla Walla Little Theater or the China Pavilion on campus at Walla Walla Community College. Acquire knowledge of our area wine industry by making a weekday visit to the Center for Enology and Viticulture on the Walla Walla Community campus.

Area festivals include our own Muddy Frogwater Country Classic Festival. Always the third weekend in August, the festival boasts a wide variety of craft/food vendors, Kiddie Land, live entertainment, competitions and finally a Corn Roast/Watermelon Feed rounding out the weekend. Other Milton-Freewater events include: Cinco de Mayo, week-end closest to May 5, Junior Show, first full week of May, and the Frazier Farmstead Wine & Dine Festival, last Saturday in June. Surrounding area events are the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, Walla Walla, WA, second week-end in May, Umatilla County Pioneer Reunion, Weston, OR, first week-end in June, Caledonian Games in Athena, OR, second week-end in July, Umatilla County Fair, Hermiston, OR, third week-end in August, Southeastern Washington Fair in Walla Walla, WA, last week-end in August, Pendleton Round Up, Pendleton, Or, second week in September.

Milton-Freewater’s industries include, farming, food processing, small industry and technology. Apples, cherries, prunes, plums, grapes, wheat, peas, peonies, alfalfa, corn and asparagus dominate the areas farm fresh fruit and vegetables. With a long growing season, mild winters, plentiful water and rich soil, agriculturists find the Milton-Freewater area a great place to raise almost any crop and they do.

Three major packing plants tend to keep agricultural workers on the job year round.

Small industry includes metal and plastic works, computer assembly, and computer service offerings.

Technology plays a major role in providing employment to an ever-increasing number of qualified workers. Through creative financing and strong negotiating, the community’s Urban Renewal funds continue to entice prospective enterprises to Milton-Freewater. A community of 6,500 people, it boasts a school system, a host of clubs and service organizations and many churches. It is not only an ideal place to locate light industry, but has become a favored retirement community as well.