The Ghost Town of Winlock Oregon is named after Winlock W. Steiwer, who’s decedents still live in the area. His nephew was a United States Senator, while he served in the Oregon Senate. Winlock got a post office in 1888 due to his influence and was named after him. Unfortunately he became part the Oregon land fraud scandal and was indicted in 1905.
The “modern” town of Winlock sits a ways off the beaten track. The nearest large towns are Spray and Fossil, neither of which are exactly booming metropolises either. The town does boast a fairly new volunteer fire station, and another nearby building that had a sign saying “Come on in,” but still seemed to be either empty or closed when I looked in the door. The road to Winlock has several nice old farms though, with interesting barns and sheds in various states of disrepair. Several signs warn that Deer, Elk, and Cattle all have the right of way.
The town does have a well marked if quite over-grown cemetery, but the gate was locked shut.
1. Comment by teresa hunt
14/May/2012 at 5:52 pm
my father Myron J. was born in Winlock and attended school in Fossilabout 1928. His grandparents are buried in the area on private land. anyone knowing the whereabouts of these graves, please contact me.