City Overview
Welcome to Madras
Madras, Oregon, incorporated in 1911, has a unique history tied to railroad development and an unusual origin for its name. The town was initially platted in 1902 and intended to be named "Palmain" after its Scandinavian founder, John Palmehn, but the U.S. Postal Service rejected the moniker for being too similar to another post office. The name "Madras" was ultimately adopted, likely inspired by the cotton fabric of the same name, which itself originated in the city of Madras (now Chennai) in India. The arrival of the Oregon Trunk and Deschutes Railroads in 1911 spurred the town's growth as a hub for shipping agricultural goods. A colorful local tale from 1917 recounts how Madras residents "stole" the county records from Culver in the early morning hours, securing Madras's status as the new Jefferson County seat after a county-wide vote.
A significant landmark and point of interest is the Madras Municipal Airport, which originated as an Army Air Corps base built during World War II for training B-17 pilots. This former military base is now home to the Erickson Aircraft Collection , a private assemblage of historic, airworthy planes, and the site of the annual Airshow of the Cascades. Madras's location in Oregon's high desert, offering consistently clear skies, also made it one of the premier viewing locations in the United States for the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, drawing an influx of an estimated 100,000 visitors. The city is also a gateway to stunning Central Oregon outdoor recreation areas, including the nearby Lake Billy Chinook and The Cove Palisades State Park, formed by the impounded waters of the Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius Rivers.