Antelope Valley was probably named in 1862 by members of the party of Joseph Sherar while packing supplies into the John Day mines. There were many antelope in central Oregon in pioneer days, hence the name. Antelope post office was established August 7, 1871, and Howard Maupin was first postmaster, the office taking its name from the valley. The 1862 Shearer party also named Muddy Creek, Cherry Creek and laid the foundation for Bakeoven. After World War II, the community languished until the 1980s, when followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who had started the city of Rajneeshpuram on the site of the old Muddy Ranch, came to dominate the town. On September 18, 1984, by a vote of 57 to 22, the charter was amended to change the name from Antelope to Rajneesh. This received considerable publicity throughout the state, for feelings about the Bhagwan and his followers were sharply divided. The Bhagwan's problems came to a head in the fall of 1985 when Anand Sheela, his personal secretary and spokeswoman, decamped to Europe, reportedly with a substantial sum of the sect's money. A short time later the Bhagwan was indicted on federal immigration charges. After an abortive attempt at flight, he pleaded guilty and returned to India. Meanwhile, on November 6, 1985, the remaining residents, both original and Rajneeshee, voted 34 to 0 to restore the original name. The Post Office Department, relying on the efficiency of zip code 97001, never changed the name from Antelope.

SPOTLIGHT

Wind surfing, hiking and boating. Mt. Hood National Forest is within 50 miles of the city. The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and Beavercreek Wilderness are within 100 miles.