gold once again. By 1938 the mining company was profitable, making $100,000.00 in September (Equivalent to $1,734,212.77 in April 2017). The mines continued to grow, and Cornucopia was responsible for 66% of the gold in Oregon in 1939. The census in 1940 recorded 352 residents and the mines were the 7th largest in the nation. However, in the beginning of 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt closed all gold mining operations in America so that miners could focus on producing metals for war. The town was abandoned and never recovered. Culture Cornucopia's isolation required the residents to provide their own entertainment. Many people in the town learned to play instruments such as fiddle, piano, and drums. Miners worked 10-hour days, while in later times mill workers worked 12 hours a day, both working seven days a week. Because of the constant work, holidays were very important to the townsfolk. The most important ones were Christmas and the Fourth of July. Labor Day was also celebrated with a town picnic which was accompanied by contests, such as tug-of-war. At the peak of its existence, Cornucopia had multiple general stores, a boardinghouse, saloons, a hotel, a post office, and a school. Geography Cornucopia is located in Baker County, north of Carson, Oregon, immediately southeast of Cornucopia Peak, and west of Snake River. The nearest City is Baker City, OR (56 mi driving South West). Cornucopia has multiple creeks within close proximity, including Pine Creek, Elk Creek, and Panter Creek with East Fork Falls as short distance north. The region is mountainous and full of fir trees. Due to Cornucopia's elevation (4,741 ft), the region receives high snowfall during the winter months. Cornucopia sits on the Southern border of the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa Mountains. The gold mines are located north-west of the town center. Cornucopia is only accessible from the South along the Cornucopia Highway, beginning in Halfway, Oregon. The Cornucopia Highway is the main road connecting Halfway, Jimtown, and Carson, Oregon along the valley before entering Cornucopia 5.5 miles after Carson, Oregon. Climate Tourism Cornucopia has become a tourist attraction in Oregon due to its reputation as a ghost town and due to deaths that have occurred there. In response to the growing popularity of the town, the Cornucopia Lodge was built in 2008. See also Cornucopia Jailhouse List of ghost towns in Oregon References External links A video of