Harney

Formed February 23, 1889 (30^th county)

Harney County (7,499), Burns (2,728)

The red/brown brick Modern courthouse in Burns was erected in 1942.  There was also an 1890 version in Burns, the only county seat.  The facility is on a square surrounded by Buena Vista, Washington, Court, and A streets.  United States Highway 395 goes two blocks east of the site.  C. Roald, Schmeer and Harrington are the building designers.  The county was created from Grant County on February 23, 1889 as the 30^th county.  It is named for local soldier William S. Harney.  Burns is named after Scottish Poet Robert Burns.  The county is in southeast Oregon. 

Harney County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  One District Court Judge serves Harney and Grant counties.  Its southern border is Nevada.  Eugene, Oregon is northwest and Boise, Idaho is northeast of the county.  The county center is 36 miles South of Burns nearer Diamond.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Grant and Malheur counties and Nevada and Lake, Deschutes, and Crook counties. 

The area of the county is 10135 square miles.  It is 1 out of 36 in the state.  It ranks 31 out of 36 in population in the state.  It has a density of 0.7 persons per square mile making it 36 out of 36 in the state.  Harney County has 58.4% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 20 crosses the county east to west from Malheur County to Lake County.  United States Highway 395 comes from Grant County, north, and goes to Lake County, southwest.  Harney County looks like a fat number 7.  Burns is located in the northern quarter of the county.  Burns is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 36.7% of the county population.