Antelope, Oregon
About
Located in the upper Antelope Valley of north-central Oregon, the city of Antelope lies along an ancient route connecting the John Day watershed to the Great Trade Center at The Dalles and Celilo Falls on the Columbia River. The upper Antelope Valley served as a natural resting spot along this path, making it a common site for settlements. Long before the arrival of Euro-American explorers, trappers, and settlers, the valley was home to the Klamath people.
The discovery of gold at Canyon Creek in 1862 brought a surge of newcomers to the region. Within a year, nearly 10,000 fortune seekers traveled from The Dalles to the gold fields. This route later became known as The Dalles–Canyon City Wagon Road. By the 1870s, the small town of Antelope was established and was officially incorporated in 1901. Antelope experienced a brief population boom before transitioning into a quiet ranching community for much of the 20th century, with only a few dozen residents. Its history reflects cycles of boom and bust, from the 1860s gold rush to the Rajneesh movement of the 1980s. Now, Antelope is focusing on preserving and sharing its pristine dark night skies with visitors.
The city of Antelope implemented a range of initiatives to achieve Dark Sky Community certification. They adopted a new outdoor lighting ordinance, installed a sky quality data logger, and conducted periodic hand-held measurements, collecting over a year’s worth of data. An outdoor lighting inventory led to the removal of non-compliant streetlights and the replacement of remaining fixtures with DarkSky Approved models in collaboration with the local utility provider.
Antelope revamped its website with dark sky resources, hosted star parties, and organized outreach events to educate the public about light pollution. A resource table at the Community Center provides educational materials and DarkSky Approved light bulbs, while additional information was displayed at public locations like the post office. Residents received free DarkSky Approved bulbs, and the city acquired three telescopes from the Rose City Astronomers Club to enhance community engagement. Support letters from residents and local organizations demonstrate the city’s commitment to preserving the city’s natural dark skies.
These efforts aimed to preserve the natural night environment, promote dark sky-friendly practices, and position Antelope as an inspiration for other small communities to protect their night skies.
Area
1.19 Sq. Km
Designated
2024
Category
International Dark Sky Community
Address
94237 McGreer St.
Antelope, OR 97001
Google Maps
Contact
Website
https://www.cityofantelope.us/
Documents
Application
Announcement
Annual Reports
Weather
Click here to find ideal environmental conditions for viewing the night sky in Antelope, OR. Don’t forget to plan your trip during the new moon and after astronomical twilight to enhance the viewing experience!
