Joseph Oregon Development (Wallowa: low crime, how much, houses)

[nlperca1]

I have heard rumors that Joseph was subjected to extensive "development" in the recent past? Who was responsible; was the outcome desireable; how much input did the residents have? How has Joseph changed in culture, shopping, crime, traffic, etc?

[bobmulk]

Joseph has not changed that much. It has become a mecca for bronze work. It has a number of bronze foundries and the work created there has been recognized around the world. Because of that, it attracts tourists from all over. The downtown area was revitalized and it quite quaint. However, it's still a small town of 1200 people and quite isolated. No major developments, little growth. I was there three years ago and I LOVED it.

[oregonstateofmind]

I would not call the upgrade to Main Street in Joseph "extensive development." Historically the area was known for its timber production and ranching. About 20 years ago the founderies moved into the area and Joseph was suddenly "discovered" by artists. These newcomers to the area decided that in order to bring in more tourists, the downtown area should be revitalized. So these folks, and locals who owned businesses along Main Street were the ones who decided to spruce up the town. Store fronts were supposed to look a certain way, and Main Street was lined with bronze artwork and statues. The residents living in the area, but outside the city limits, had little if any input. Like any tourist town, the outcome is a mixed blessing. Tourism brings in all kinds of traffic along Main Street on the way to Wallowa Lake and people stopping to shop the little artsy stores in town. This is a pain in the butt for locals, but it brings in badly needed dollars into the community. With the lumber mill closed, tourism is the lifeblood of the town of Joseph. Most people are happy to see the tourists begin to arrive in April and are just as happy to see them leave in October.
Remember, when you ask about culture, shopping, crime and traffic that it is a SMALL little town and it is all relative. Traffic seems congestive because there are really only a couple of streets that go through town, and you have to drive through town to get to Wallowa Lake, where the tourists love to hang out. Violent crime is very very rare. A murder did occur a couple of years ago at a campground, but it was out-of-towners, not locals. Also, tourism stops near the end of October when winter weather sets in and the area becomes difficult to access. The culture has changed somewhat due to a resource-based economy (timber, farming, ranching) giving way to a tourist-based economy and the influx of artists moving into the area. Also, ranches have been divided and sold to developers since children of ranchers do not want to take over the family business and move out of the area upon graduation from high school. Wealthy individuals have bought up parcels of land and built themselves getaway homes which also changes the flavor of the place. Lots of houses that only get used a couple times a year, if that. There has been a hotly debated arguement going on for several years about whether to build a gated community near the Lake. Some want it for the dollars it will bring, others oppose the idea.
The population of Wallowa County has remained steady at around 7,100 people (give or take 100) since they started taking the census a century ago. People move into the area for its incredible beauty and low crime rate thinking "Great place to raise the kids!" only to leave a few years later, realizing how hard it is to make a living there and how very isolated it is.

[Hawk J]

I think it was Wallowa Lake i read about, where someone recently caught a 7lb Kokanee.