The Oregon Railway and Navigation Company built the railroad through La Grande, completing the line in 1884.

The exterior of the second floor contained terracotta panels, with "La Grande" and the logo of Union Pacific inscribed.

[15][11]: 83  Amtrak service to La Grande began on June 7, 1977, with the formation of the Pioneer, operating between Seattle and Chicago.

[17] The Pioneer served La Grande until a Congressional-funded mandate expired on May 10, 1997, and no deal was worked out between state governments to continue funding.

[19] In 2009, Amtrak published a report under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 in order to determine the feasibility of returning Pioneer service.

[11]: 85  The branch line from La Grande to Joseph was sold to the Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad in 1993.

[20] La Grande has been noted by Union Pacific as being "an important operational and crew change point.