In 1776, Wheeler County was inhabited by various Indian tribes.

A Mr. Biffel was the first recorded settler, settling in 1862 near Twickenham.

In 1863 Christian Meyer (Myers) and "Alkali" Frank Hewott located near Bridge Creek which is 5 miles from present day Mitchell.

In 1864, Camp Watson was first established.

In 1865, J.N. Clark settled at the mouth of Bridge Creek, know later as Burnt Ranch and E.B. Allen and S.G. Coleman settled near Caleb. Al Sutton settled at Bridge Creek, 12 miles NW of Mitchell.

In 1866, the pioneers came rapidly until 1870, when they started to slack off. Andrew Clarno, a pioneer stockman, settled on Pine Creek. H.C. Paige and Henry Wheeler were attacked by Indians 5 miles east of Mitchell and escaped by riding dray horses to Mitchell. Chief Paulina's raider's attack and burned J.N. Clark's ranch, which was dubbed Burnt Ranch because of this incident.

In 1867, Wheeler county's first post office was built at Sutton Ranch, Al Sutton as the Postmaster. Chief Paulina is killed. I.N. Sargent built the first house on the site of Mitchell.

In 1868, the Bridge Creek post office was established. Samuel Carrol and family settled in the Painted Hill's on Bridge Creek.

In 1869, the first settlements in Spray and Fossil were made. W. Bigham settled near Fossil and Ralph Fisk at Haystack. Camp Waston was decommissioned.

In 1870,Thomas Hoover move near Fossil. In 1872, the first school in Wheeler County emerged from a log cabin near Mitchell.

In 1873, the Mitchell Post office was established.

In 1874, Waldron school was established, the second one in Wheeler County.

In 1875, Mitchell's first store was established.

In 1876, the Fossil Post Office was established, the Mitchell school was moved into town. The Crown Rock Post Office was also established and H. Wheeler became the first Postmaster in Spring Valley.

In 1878, the Piaute-Bannock uprising. Despite worried community, it missed Wheeler County.

In 1879, General Merchandise was established near Fossil, Waldron post Office established (later moved to Richmond in 1902.

In 1880, Grade Post Office was established.

In 1881, Hoover and Watson established the General Store in Fossil. Mitchell's first fire, Richard's store is burned.

In 1882, Fossil town site was platted. General Mercantile is established in Fossil. Fossil's first school was established.

In 1883, Fossil's Methodist Church was created. Burnt Ranch Post office was created to succeed Grade Post Office.Francisville Post Office also established (closed later that year).

In 1884, Mitchell had its first major flood, Painted Hills being devastated. Four members of the Carrol family drowned.

In 1885, Mitchell town site was platted. The First Baptist Church and Catholic Church were organized.

In 1886, Fossil's weekly paper was founded, the Fossil Journal. Caleb Post Office established by closure of Camp Watson Post Office. Contention (later named Twickenham) Post Office was established in July.

In 1888, the Winlock Post Office was established.

In 1889, Fossil Water Co. was established. Liberty Post office was also established.

In 1890, Wheeler County Post Office established on Frizzell Ranch.

In 1891, the city of Fossil was incorporated.

In 1892, Fossil had its first major fire, burning Branson's stable and endangering the town. The Wagner Post Office was established in Kahler Basin. The Mitchell school was replaced by a new 3 room building.

In 1893, Mitchell was incorporated, the population being 50.

In 1894, Popular Post Office was established.

In 1895, Mitchell's first Baptist Church was built.

In 1896, Mitchell suffered a major fire. Twickenham was platted (earlier known as Big Bottom). Twickenham Post Office was established. Established by change of name from Contention.

In 1898, there were hydraulic placer gold mining operations in Mule Gulch by R. Cannon.

In 1899, R.N. Donnelly introduced petition to establish Wheeler County and was promptly defeated. It was immediately reintroduced and passed with Gilliam County strongly against it. Mitchell had its second fire.

In 1900, Wheeler County population was 2,243. County seat was voted, June 4th. The vote count was Fossil with 436 votes, Spray with 82, and Twickenham with 267. The Fossil-Shaniko stage was opened and the Fossil Fire Department was established. Spray Post Office established by John Spray, Postmaster.

In 1901, the Barite Post Office was established. Pioneer Association picnic held in Richmond. Barite Post Office was established in March.

In 1902, the telephone reaches Antelope via Bridge Creek. Pioneer Association picnic held in Mitchell. The Richmond Post Office was established, and the Waldron Post Office was closed. Revival of placer gold mining in the Spanish Gulch.

In 1903, the first annual meeting of the Pioneer Association at Julia A. Henderson Park on Service Creek. The Fossil Mercantile was incorporated by W.W. Steiwer, president, and I.A. Johnson, manager. The Fossil City Council allowed T.J. Smith to build an electric light plant in Fossil. The stores and Steiwer Hall were illuminated. The Fossil Bank was also established.

In 1904, Mitchell was swept up by a flood. Two lives were lost and much property was damaged. Later that year, Mitchell saw a repetition of the flooding. The Mitchell Sentinel was established. The first automobile in Fossil was seen driven by a traveling salesman. The Wheeler County Union High School was established in Fossil.

In 1905, The Central Oregon Star was established at Fossil. After its third edition, it ceased publications. The County Commission authorized Service Creek bridge, bidding invited. Caleb in decline, population 26.

In 1909, the Kinzua lumber domain was founded by E.D. Wetmore purchasing 50 thousand acres of choice timber land.

In 1910, Wheeler County's population was 2,484.

In 1911, Richmond was flooded. Several houses were washed away, but no casualties occurred.

In 1912, Steiwer and Carpenter Bank was chartered in Fossil.

In 1913, the State Highway Commission was established. Wheeler County Fair was organized in Fossil during August. The first fair was during September. The County's first motion picture theatre was opened in Fossil. The Fossil Telephone Company was incorporated.

In 1914, the first gasoline pump in Fossil at the General Mercantile.

In 1915, Henry H. Wheeler died in Mitchell. The "Flying Machine" was scheduled for the county fair. It was guaranteed to fly 1,000 feet above the ground.

In 1916, the Federal Stockraising Homestead Act was passed. The first paved road in Fossil was built.

In 1920, Wheeler County's population was 2,791.

In 1921, the rejuvenation of the KKK began. Several chapters (Konvocations) established in Eastern Oregon including Condon and Fossil. The political influence continued for over a decade.

In 1923, Everet Waterman opened mining operations in Spanish Gulch. The Fossil High School construction started. The first radios in the county, one in Spray and two in Fossil.

In 1924, the present day Fossil Grade School was built, housing both high school and grade school students.

In 1927, the Kinzua town and mill were established.

In 1928, John Day Valley Coal and Oil Company was incorporated.

In 1930, Wheeler County's population was 2,799.

In 1932, the John Day River flooded. The water was three feet over the road at Service Creek and Clarno registered the highest water in 38 years.

In 1935, the Pine Creek flood occurred. Some stock and several buildings were destroyed.

In 1940, Wheeler County's population was 2,875.

In 1945, the Wetmore post Office was established.

In 1947, REA power reaches Clarno-Pine Creek. It was serviced by Wasco Electric Co-op of The Dalles.

In 1948, Columbia Power Co-op was created to serve the people of Wheeler and Grant County with electricity.

In 1949, the Wheeler County High School was constructed in Fossil.

In 1950, Wheeler County's population had reached 3,313.

In 1953, the Columbia Power Co-op becomes operational with completion of highlines from Antelope to Service Creek.

In 1956, Mitchell was again flooded. The post office, five aparments, Payne's Variety Store and one house were destroyed.

In 1960, Wheeler County's population dropped to 2,722.

In 1964, the John Day "Christmas Flood" occurred. Flood stage at Service Creek gauging at 40,000 cu. ft./sec. as contrasted to a nominal flood high of 10,000 and a mean of 3,000- 4,000. The flood caused allot of damage.

In 1965, the John Day flooded again in January, causing additional havoc.

In 1970, the Wheeler County population had dropped to 1,849. A fire destroyed a house in Fossil, taking the lives of three children. The Fossil Ambulance Committee received a grant for a new ambulance to replace their old one. Camp Hancock, nationally known as paleontology center of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry was dedicated to its founder, Lon Hancock.

In 1971, The Spray Hotel burns to the ground.162 grade school and 98 high school students were enrolled in Fossil's school, 59 grade school and and 23 high school students were enrolled at the Mitchell school, and Spray had 51 grade school and 18 high school students.The citizens of Wheeler County spent $70,000 in tax money to fight the Vietnam War.

In 1973, a formal opening is held for the new city hall and fire station.The Fossil Journal under went new ownership. Wheeler County was one of five to receive economic development from the Economic Development Association. A new clinic is constructed in Fossil and was named Asher Clinic.Spray built a new post office.John Day Fossil Beds was named as a National Monument by vote of Congress.Mitchell and Spray both acquired new ambulances.

In 1975, Recession forced a six-week closure of Kinzua mill. Fossil was selected as the headquarters of the newly-formed Tri-County Health program. Wheeler County was accepted into the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development national flood insurance program. Fossil Journal and Condon Globe Times combined to form the Times Journal. Wheeler County receives $120,000 dollar grant to improve Bear Hollow Park and city and county roads.

In 1976, the Fossil Post Office celebrated its 100th birthday. A flash flood hit Fossil causing excessive water and mud damage. Condon, Kinzua, and southern rail line from Kinzua to Condon closed, the planer mill being phased out.

In 1977, the Wheeler County courthouse heard out one of the largest land fraud cases ever held in the state. A new shop building was added to the Mitchell school system. A drought threatened productivity of ranches in Wheeler County and President Carter declared that it was a disaster area. Snabel Creek floods near Spray causing some damage. 120 Wheeler County residents attended a meeting to oppose classifying the John Day River as National Scenic River. Mitchell school was one of two in the state to be chosen as a Small School Development Site for Vocational Education.

In 1978, the Kinzua Corporation closed the mill and company town at Kinzua. Drilling begins to find new water source for Fossil. Hail, flash floods, lightning and wind storms destroyed many Wheeler County lands and properties.

In 1979, the last church service was held at Kinzua Community Church. A fire, set by arsons, destroyed the idled Kinzua mill buildings. The Federal Aviation Administration constructed an intricate radar tracking station on a hilltop near Camp Five.

In 1980, some Fossil Museum artifacts were used in the historical display at the state capitol. A virus caused a four day closure of the Fossil schools. A 140 mile stretch of the John Day River was determined eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Wheeler County voters turned down a proposal to establish a county-wide health district. Some ash from the eruption of Mount St. Helens drifts over Wheeler County. Wheeler county population, 1,511.

In 1981, Fish & Wildlife Commission met in Fossil area to discuss management of Rocky Mountain elk. The Wheeler County Energy Corporation is formed in attempt to fund and construct electrical generating plant at Fossil.BPA kills the idea by saying power would be too expensive.

In 1982, the Spray mayor and city council resign over water supply situation.

In 1983, the 60 year old Mitchell school was destroyed by a fire, started by a faulty oil furnace. The Wheeler County Court accepts contracts with Road Department union. The ill-fated rotenone project of the Department of Fish & Wildlife on the John Day River destroyed fish for a mile beyond planned treatment area.

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