Small Town Named Oregon’s First International Dark Sky Community
By Brandie McNamee and Michael McKeag
Antelope was certified as an International Dark Sky Community on December 4, 2024, by DarkSky International, making Antelope the first International Dark Sky Community to be certified in Oregon and the fifth International Dark Sky Place in Oregon. It joins Oregon Caves National Monument International Dark Sky Park, Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Prineville Reservoir International Dark Sky Park, and Sunriver International Development of Distinction in earning this honor.
Antelope is a small rural town in northcentral Oregon committed to protecting a significant asset the town has to offer: a night sky where one can see the Milky Way from Main Street. This designation is dedicated to Antelope’s future and the next generation, bringing recognition that Antelope has much worth protecting and celebrating, including a dark night sky to be enjoyed today by residents and visitors and preserved for future generations.
Located in the upper Antelope Valley, the city of Antelope is rich in history. On an ancient route from the John Day watershed, the upper Antelope Valley was on the way to the Great Trade Center at The Dalles and Celilo Falls on the Columbia River. The upper Antelope Valley made a good resting spot along the route, and settlements in the area were common.
The discovery of gold at Canyon Creek in 1862 brought a rush of new people to the area. Within a year, nearly 10,000 fortune hunters trekked to the gold fields from The Dalles. The route then became known as The Dalles–Canyon City Wagon Road.
“As the area’s state representative, I am deeply excited about the potential benefits this designation could bring not only to Antelope but to the entire region and to the state of Oregon.” – Representative Greg Smith, District 57
By the 1870s, the town of Antelope was established, and it was incorporated in 1901. Antelope’s population boomed and then deflated over time, becoming a quiet ranching town for 8 decades, home to no more than a few dozen people.
The town saw dramatic changes in 1981 when the Rajneesh Movement arrived. Movement leaders bought the 64,000-acre Big Muddy Ranch on the John Day River, as well as lots in the town proper.
The movement’s goal was to create a utopia in the desert. As more Rajneesh moved to Antelope, more of the town’s original residents sold their lots and left. The movement thrived for a few years but fell apart in 1985 after members’ crimes were exposed.
Antelope today is a small historic community of individuals who seek quiet, peace, and modest prosperity. A new chapter is opening in the history of the community, soon to be known for its pristine dark night sky.
With support from DarkSky Oregon, Antelope undertook a comprehensive series of initiatives to earn its Dark Sky Community certification. It adopted a new outdoor lighting ordinance and installed a sky quality data logger, along with conducting periodic handheld measurements at representative locations, accumulating 16 months of data, and scientifically documenting the darkness of their night sky.
An outdoor lighting inventory was conducted, noncompliant and nonessential streetlights were removed, and the remaining streetlights were replaced with Dark Sky-approved fixtures in collaboration with Wasco Electric Cooperative.
The city revised its website to include dark sky resource materials and updated notifications, hosted public star parties, and organized community outreach events to educate the public about intrusive lighting and provide educational materials.
A resource table at the Community Center was set up during public events, offering dark sky materials and approved lightbulbs, and additional educational materials were posted in public locations, including local post office bulletin boards.
Free DarkSky-approved outdoor lightbulbs were distributed to residents, and 3 telescopes from the Rose City Astronomers Club supported outreach and engagement. Additionally, the city partnered with 13 individuals and entities to provide support letters for the designation application.
These efforts had 3 primary goals: to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the natural night environment, promote dark sky-friendly practices, and put Antelope on the map as an example to inspire other small communities that treasure and desire to protect their night sky.
Antelope plans to continue its efforts to preserve and enhance its night sky. This includes expanding public education programs to raise awareness about the benefits of dark skies, promoting responsible outdoor lighting practices, and engaging with local businesses and residents to maintain the standards that earned this designation.
The city also aims to attract astronomy enthusiasts, eco-tourists, and public events that highlight the beauty of the night sky, further fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. Additionally, Antelope plans to work with surrounding areas to expand dark sky initiatives and protect the region’s natural nocturnal environment.