Date of visit: May 27, 2012
Population: 16,745 (2010 Census)
Watermelons are famous in Hermiston even though they are not the biggest crop in this area. Back in the 1960s the Hermiston mayor, Frank Harkenrider, was looking for a way to promote his town. Potatoes and alfalfa weren’t very interesting, but watermelons were. So he decided to market Hermiston as a place that grew quality watermelons and even started delivering Hermiston watermelons to the mayor of Portland. Eventually the melons started becoming so popular around the Pacific Northwest that the name Hermiston became synonymous with watermelons. Umatilla County produces 45,000 tons of watermelons annually. Well-drained sandy soils, long growing season, and plenty of sunshine make for good growing conditions. High daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures make for a sweeter melon as well.
Advertising the watermelons
Quiet Main Street on a Sunday morning
Clock in McKenzie Park
Riverfront Park
Roemark’s Men’s Wear
Old trail cars at Maxwell Siding
Florist shop in historic building
Hermiston Public Library
