De Moss Springs

Oregon's ghost towns are timber camps and high-desert gold strikes, preserved by dry air and long distances.

De Moss Springs is an unincorporated community in Sherman County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Moro along U.S. Route 97. De Moss Springs had a post office from 1887 to 1923. In 1900, the Columbia Southern Railway established a station known as De Moss along its line to Shaniko. The springs and station were named for the De Moss family, which grew wheat, operated a recreation park at the springs, and formed a musical touring company called the Lyric Bards. The leader of the company, James M. De Moss, had moved to Sherman County from North Powder in 1883.

De Moss Springs sold the one thing the country around it didn't have: water.

The on-the-ground condition of De Moss Springs is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to De Moss Springs is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for De Moss Springs is roughly 45.5111, -120.6831 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.