Wheeler County is named for Henry H Wheeler, who was the operator of the first mail stage line from The Dalles to Canyon City.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Gilliam County
E – Morrow County and Grant County
S – Crook County
W – Crook County, Jefferson County and Wasco County
Created: February 17, 1899 
County Seat:
Fossil 1899 – present
County Courthouse – Fossil
Location: 701 Adams Street / West 2nd Street
Built: 1900 – 1901
Style: Romanesque
Architect: Charles H Burggraf of Salem
Contractor: A F Peterson of Corvallis
Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Fossil. The east front has an arched entrance on the south corner and an octagonal tower with steep roof on the north corner. On the south side is a high square tower with steep roof. The foundation is stone. The building houses the County Circuit of the 7th Judicial District, County Court and County Justice Court.
See: The architect, Charles H Burggraf of Salem and the contractor , A F Peterson of Corvallis designed and constructed the courthouse in Sherman County.
See: The 7th Judicial District includes Gilliam County, Hood River County, Sherman County and Wasco County.
History: The county was created in 1899 and Fossil was selected as the county seat. The first and present courthouse was constructed in 1901 to 1902 at a cost of $9,025.
County Courthouse – Fossil
Photos taken 2012