Ellendale

Ellendale is a ghost town in Polk County, Oregon, situated roughly two and a half miles west of Dallas. It holds a notable place in local history as the earliest settlement in what is now Polk County by non-Kalapuyan peoples, making it a significant landmark for anyone interested in the region's pioneer past.

The community went through several name changes in its early years. Polk County's first post office opened here under the name O'Neils Mills in 1850, was renamed Nesmiths later that same year, and was discontinued by 1852. The settlement eventually took on the name Ellendale, by which it is known today.

Visitors should arrive with modest expectations — this is a ghost town, and the draw is its historical significance rather than developed amenities or dramatic remains. Its setting in Polk County makes it a quiet stop best suited to history enthusiasts and those interested in early Oregon settlement.