(Courtesy of the Harney County Library Claire McGill Luce Western History Room)

While there are always many houses located in the city of Burns, very few ever hold the privilege of being a first. Located at 822 N. Buena Vista Avenue, the Foley House is the proud owner of a first. Built in 1898 by Ray Smith for J.C. Foley, this was the first house to be constructed with a stone foundation in Burns.^[1] While the Foley House still sits upon its original location, many of its outbuildings that covered the entirety of the block no longer exist. Being as old as it is, it should come as no surprise that the house has been remodeled since 1898.

Foley, the original owner of the house, was a prominent member of the community. Before he married and settled down in town, he worked for the Miller and Lux Company as a ranch superintendent.^[2] While settled in Burns, he ran a blacksmith shop for several years, and later held the honor of being appointed the first water master in Harney County.

Notes

^[1] Harney County Library, “Foley House,” last modified 2013, http://www.harneycountylibrary.org/western-history-room/exhibits/historic-homes-of-burns-oregon/Foley%20House%20copy.jpg/view.

^[2] Harney County Library, “Foley House.”