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The county's economy is based upon agriculture (orchards, wheat farming, livestock ranching), lumber, manufacturing, electric power, transportation, and tourism. Aluminum production was previously a major support of the local economy, but electrical price fluctuations and a slump in global aluminum prices has forced the closing of a number of local aluminum foundries.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,204 km˛ (2,395 mi˛). 6,167 km˛ (2,381 mi˛) of it is land and 37 km˛ (14 mi˛) of it is water. The total area is 0.60% water.
The Dalles served initially as a way station on the emigrant road to the Willamette Valley. The construction of a pioneer road over the Cascades in 1845, and the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 sometimes known just as the Donation Land Act was a historic law passed by the United State Congress intended to promote homestead settlement in the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest (comprising the present-day encouraged families to settle in the area. Over the following years, Wasco County was a major transportation hub for both river and inland traffic.
The TerritorialOregon Territory, as originally organized, in 1848 Oregon Territory (blue) with Washington Territory (green) in 1853 State of Oregon (blue) with Washington Territory (green) in 1859 The Oregon Territory is the name applied both to the unorganized Oregon C Legislature created Wasco County on January 11January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 354 days remaining (355 in leap years). Events Tony Stott of world war II was born in 1904 532 Nika riots in Constantinople. 1158 Vladislav II becomes King of Bohemia. 1569 First, 1854Events January 13 The accordion is patented by Anthony Faas. February 11 Major streets lit by coal gas for first time. February 14 Texas is linked by telegraph with the rest of the United States, when a connection between New Orleans and Marshall, Texas i from the parts of ClackamasClackamas County is a county located in the U. State of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas, who were part of the Chinook people. As of 2000, the population is 338,391. Its county seat is Oregon City 6, LaneLane County is a county located in the U. State of Oregon. The county was named after Joseph Lane, the first Territorial governor and a vehement defender of slavery during the Antebellum era. As of 2000, the population is 322,959. Economy Although 90 perc, LinnLinn County is a county located in the state of Oregon. The county was named for Lewis F. Linn, a senator from the state of Missouri, who advocated the American occupation of Oregon and was instrumental in what became the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850. and MarionMarion County is a county located in the U. State of Oregon. The county was originally named the Champooick District after Champoeg, a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed the county for Francis counties, that were east of the Cascade Range -- which included most of Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming. At the time of its creation, it was the largest county in the United States, consisting of 130,000 square miles. As Washington Territory and other Oregon counties were split away, Wasco was reduced to its current size.
The Dalles was designated the county seat with the creation of the county, and has been its only location.
The river traffic on the Columbia River was profoundly affected in 1935 by the building of Bonneville Dam in Multnomah County and by The Dalles Dam in 1957 in Wasco County.
Wasco county attracted international attention in the 1980s, when Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh came to the United States and settled for several years at a marginal ranch called "The Big Muddy", but later known as Rajneeshpuram . Disagreements over zoning rules and building codes in the beginning continued to escalate between not only his followers and the inhabitants of Wasco County, but eventually with the rest of the state. His followers, known as Rajneeshes, settled en bloc in Antelope, Oregon and were able to elect a majority of the town councillors. Acerbic, if not hostile comments by his spokeswoman, Ma Annand Sheela , only increased tensions, and were not helped by Rajneesh's vow of silence . When the Rajneeshes subsequently recruited homeless people from across the United States to settle at Rajneeshpuram, it was widely seen as an attempt to use the ballot box to seize control of the county. But perhaps the most bizarre turn of events was when an outbreak of salmonella in a salad bar at a restaurant in The Dalles was traced to the acts of his followers. About this time, Sheela was removed from her post in the Rajneesh's service.
This chapter in the county's history finally ended in 1985, when Rajneesh was arrested as he was fleeing the U.S. On October 23, 1985, a federal grand jury in Portland had secretly indicted Rajneesh, Sheela, and six other of his followers for immigration crimes. Two days later, a Wasco County grand jury returned indictments against Sheela and two others, charging them with the attempted murder of Swami Devaraj, the Bhagwan's personal doctor. He entered an Alford plea, and given a suspended sentence on condition that he leave the country.
As of 2000, the former Rajneesh ranch is now known as "Wildhorse Canyon". It is owned and operated by Young Life Ministries , a Christian organzation providing camp services for youth.