Native Americans lived and traveled along the land between the Columbia Gorge and the Blue Mountains for more than 10,000 years prior to European-American settlement.

[8] Prior to Heppner's founding in 1872, European-American ranchers used the area as sheep and cattle range as early as 1858.

Records suggest these early cattlemen found abundant rye grass along creek bottoms.

[10][11][12] In 1872, Colonel (Col.) Jackson Lee Morrow, a merchant, entered into a partnership with Henry Heppner, a prominent Jewish businessman,[13] and they built a store on the crossing of the present May and Main streets.

[12][9][10] Soon thereafter, a mail and stagecoach line began operations between Pendleton and The Dalles and passed through Heppner.

It has been estimated that 238 people (a quarter of the city's population) drowned, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Oregon's history.

[20]The railroad and a growing network of roads had by the early decades of the 20th century made Heppner a trade center and distribution point for regional farm products including wheat, alfalfa, sheep, cattle, horses, and hogs.

Despite the flood and two fires in 1918 that destroyed City Hall, the Palace Hotel, the library, many businesses, and more than 30 homes, the community rebuilt.

One of its creations, the Heppner Hotel, opened in 1920 and, housing a variety of businesses over the years, it served as a community gathering place through 1972, when its last restaurant closed.

[14] In 1940, a major sawmill was built in the town by the Heppner Lumber Company, helping drive the area's economy.

[21] The mill was destroyed by fire in 1949, but was rebuilt and sold to Kinzua Lumber Company, which ultimately relocated its headquarters to Heppner.

[21] In 1999, the mill closed,[22] dealing a significant blow to Heppner's economy[21] and resulting in the loss of nearly 200 jobs.

[30] Heppner hosts an annual "A Wee Bit O'Ireland" celebration around Saint Patrick's Day.

[32][33] The city also hosts the annual Blue Mountain Century Bikeway, a scenic bicycle ride loop of approximately 108 miles starting and ending in Heppner.

The appointment of city manager is made without regard to political considerations and solely on the basis of administrative qualifications.

Council members include Ralph Klock, Ian Murray, Cody High, Dale Bates, Sharon Inskeep, and Adam Doherty.

[1] Heppner is part of Oregon State House District 57 which includes Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco counties and of Oregon State Senate District 29 which includes Gilliam, Morrow Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and parts of Wasco counties.

Separately, congressional senators for Oregon include Jeff Merkley (D) and Ron Wyden (D).