Hundred year old poplars tower over the remains of the old community hall. The poplars can be seen from miles away and signal that the drive is near an end. Originally a stage coach stop, this old building is a work of art even today as many tourists photograph or paint it during their visit.

Stage stop 1908 Diamond Hotel early 1900 Larger photos

DIAMOND, OREGON

It is thought that Mrs. Dolly Kiger named the town in 1874 as well as the craters located northwest of the town after the diamond shaped brand used by the McCoy ranch.

The post office in the Diamond area has been moved many times since its first establishment in 1887. A. T. Clark established the first post office in his store in April 23, 1887, approximately three miles west of the present town of Diamond. For unknown reasons it was subsequently housed in a new structure constructed by Marion Horton and George Smyth in about 1897. One source indicates that the post office has had over seventeen postmasters and assistant postmasters.

At the turn of the century, Diamond was growing into a major merchandising outlet for ranchers, sheepmen, and travelers. It was a common sight to observe camptenders making large purchases in Diamond to restock the solitary sheepherders who spend their lives with the sheep. Often the herders as well as camptenders spent days and sometimes weeks at the Hotel Diamond during periodic rest periods. The two stores in Diamond were centers of much activity, and of course the saloon, with its special charm for people accustomed to solitary living, attracted many clients. At its zenith Diamond had a population of about fifty people.

"Old Man Clark," as he was known to his many friends, died in the 1890's Marion Horton assumed the postmaster's duties as well as managed a store in Diamond Clark's general store became a popular meeting spot for people dropping in to pick up mail, shopping for supplies and general socializing with the area's residents.

Around 1907, a stone building was erected by Charlie Hawkins a local stone mason and the post office was moved to the new structure. A second story was added using the wood from the old Horton store. Clyde Smyth constructed another store across the street from the stone building and Diamond began to grow. Lumber from the Smyth's building was taken from Coon Town in Happy Valley. The post office was subsequently moved to the new Smyth store where it remained for a period. Later a fire demolished Smyth's business building.

The stone building constructed by Charlie Hawkins came to serve, in addition to being a store and post office, as a community meeting place and dance hall in the early decades of the twentieth century it became a common occurrence for the residents in the surrounding area to gather on a weekly basis for lively fiddle music, John Barleycorn, and occasional fisticuffs.

THE HOTEL DIAMOND

Marion Horton constructed the Hotel Diamond just before the end of the century to serve the traveling public, and at the same time erected his own home adjacent to the inn. Mr. and Mrs. Horton and the two children operated the hotel for a time, then sold the property to Sid Comegys. Mr. Comegys, being an enterprising man who recognized a business opportunity, decided to add a saloon to the hotel in 1913. This addition provided additional interest to the hotel for many and business was good as the clientele enjoyed the general saloon ambiance and the opportunity to drink and gamble.

The hotel was again transferred to another owner when Anne Haines, whose husband had a store in the town of Narrows, traded land in that area for the property; She and her family moved to the Hotel Diamond in about 1916 and Sid Comegys relocated elsewhere To the consternation of some local patrons, Mrs. Haines tore down the saloon, thus discontinuing its operation.

In 1919 the property again changed hands when Mrs. Haines sold out to Steve Seweard. Seweard, his wife Grace, and his two sons, managed the establishment profitably and the inn became widely known for its good services and accommodations. Meals were prepared and served family style. One teacher is known to have lived at the hotel for the winter, but the more usual customer was the sheepherder, camptender, bachelor, cowhand, occasional traveler, and similar people.

As time went by, the Seweards decided to end their marriage, and Grace subsequently married Claude Smyth. Grace and Claude Smyth leased the hotel to Rye and Nora Smyth in 1935, who continued its operation for five more years For unknown reasons the hotel was closed in about 1940 and remained empty until 1947, when Nora Smyth's mother, Ella Smith, bought the property Mrs. Smith occupied the old hotel, using it as her residence until she sold it to Russell Arnold and his wife. Russell and Leona Arnold moved into the Hotel Diamond building in the early 1950's. They constructed another structure where the saloon stood.

Reprinted from "Harney County: An Historical Inventory, " by permission.

Don and Dorothy Brookshire purchased the building in 1973. They ran the store and post office. Dorothy Brookshire also did upholstery work.

Jerry and Judy Santillie bought the property from the Brookshires in 1986 The Santillies had been operating the Frenchglen Hotel, located 30 miles south of Diamond on Highway 205, since 1985. The State of Oregon owns the Frenchglen Hotel, and Jerry and Judy wanted a place of their own. The Diamond location seemed ideal, situated as it is away from any main road at the head of the beautiful valley, at the base of Steens Mountain watered by mountain streams, in the heart of a cattle ranching community.

Working during the winter months, when the Frenchglen Hotel was closed for the season, Jerry and Judy completely restored the Hotel Diamond and the surrounding grounds, doing most of the work themselves. This included gutting the entire interior of the building and starting over, and building an entirely new kitchen. The restoration was completed in the spring of 1990 Jerry and Judy left Frenchglen, and the newly restored Hotel Diamond opened on March 1, 1990 The handsome building and beautiful grounds are the work of their own hands.--Vern Edwards