In the 1880s Sisters was a supply station for sheep men passing through to pastures in the high Cascades in the summer. In the 1930s, the timber industry boomed and Sisters had several sawmills in or near town. By 1963 the last sawmill closed and the population declined.
Fortunately, tourist-related travel increased and Sisters became know as the Gateway to the Cascades. Now Sisters is a tourist destination. Winter has nearby skiing and summer has things like the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Held since 1975, the quilt show brings people from all over. 12,000+ on quilt show day!
Every time we ever pass through Sisters I always buy tickets for the quilt raffle and I did that again today. Of course that happened at the Stitchin' Post, Sisters' magnificent quilt shop. And of course I had to buy some patterns and fabric while I was there.