Not quite on the edge, but pretty close to the corner of Oregon, the city of Pendleton offers visitors a glimpse into several aspects of its colorful history.  An old cow town, it was founded in 1840 as settlers from the east discovered the rich agricultural and cattle-raising possibilities along the fertile Umatilla River valley.  The Cattle Drive sculpture park is a tribute to the city’s origins.  Other attractions include a paved and lighted two-mile walkway along the length of the Umatilla River through town, and 70 miles of underground tunnels dug by Chinese laborers between 1870  and 1930.

Don’t miss the tour of the state-of-the-art Pendleton Woolen Mills.  Founded in 1909 to weave blankets for the Indians, the mills still produce colorful blankets as well as men’s and women’s clothing.  A recent addition weaves works of art into lovely wall hangings.

The Pendleton Roundup in September of each year is billed as America's best rodeo, and it includes a nightly pageant depicting the history of Native American and pioneer culture.