Prineville, OR Restaurant

Prineville is the oldest community in Central Oregon that was established in 1868. The first settlers in what was to become Crook County settled in the “Oh-Cho-coe,” a Paiute word meaning “willows”. The post office for the community had been established in April 13, 1871 and was named Prine, after Barney Prine, but was later changed to Prineville on December 23, 1872. Prineville was then founded in 1877 when Monroe Hodges filed the original plat for the city. The city incorporated in 1880.

 

When Barney Prine settled on the banks of the Crooked River, he built a blacksmith shop and a store saloon which was later called Barney Prine's Steakhouse & Saloon. Prineville was the primary place of trade until 1911. In the 1930s and 1940s, the decision to build the railroad paid back the investment by shipping vast amounts of lumber over the rails. Today, The city of Prineville is in the midst of growth and revitalization, and still owns and operates the Railroad.