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Industrial Communities

A substantial labor pool, including some skilled artisans, is available in the area. The labor force includes both Indian and non-Indian, farm-bred men who are resourceful, easily trained, and will show high man-hour production. "Labor-Taxes-Markets," Bureau of Indian Affairs Document

Click on images above to view documents. Top, a flyer announcing the arrival of S & S Steel at McNary Townsite. Below, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Document promoting industrial development at McNary Townsite.

McNary Dam brought industrial development to the region, increased population, improved transportation systems, and made Columbia River irrigation water and low-cost hydroelectric power accessible. Fuel tank farms, built during the war, serviced areas as far south as Mountain Home, Idaho and as far north as Spokane, Washington. The Pendleton Grain Growers Elevator, located in Umatilla, handled over two and a half million bushels of wheat each year with the amount of wheat increasing when the McNary Dam locks opened.

In 1954, the U.S. government deeded 344 acres of the McNary Dam Townsite to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Under a 1957 statute, the property had to be used for industrial development or it would revert to the United States. The tribes and industry made various partnerships, but due to lack of employment of Indian laborers, the partnerships ended.

Public Law 85-186, An Act to stimulate industrial development near Indian reservations

Report No. 91-1293 To Release and Convey the Reversionary Interest of the U.S in. . . McNary Dam Townsite

Oregon Business Review article - "Power Shortage Critical in Pacific Northwest"

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