At first an important gold-mining district, picturesque Pine Valley now serves as a center to recreational activities in the Wallawa Mountains and on the Snake River. Its largest community today is Halfway, established in 1908 and the subject of much speculation as to the origins of its unusual name. Some say it’s because the original 1887 post office was situated on a farm midway between the old Carson and Pine post offices, which were being consolidated there. The preferred name “Midway” was already taken, so Halfway entered the course of history.