Cove is located on the eastern edge of the Grande Ronde Valley in Union County, Oregon. The town is on the valley upslope, nestled between the nearby Wallowa Mountains and adjacent ridges. It derives its name from its unique setting and in earlier days was
called Forest Cove. Mt. Fanny, a 7,400 ft. peak in the Wallowa range, dominates the town view to the east. The Blue Mountains and the City of La Grande, the county seat, lie some 16 miles to the west of Cove, across a fertile agricultural valley and the meandering Grande Ronde River.
Cove is a small community with approximately 680 people living within the city limits. The city is governed by an elected mayor and city council. The greater Cove area has another 1,200 people. The majority of employed residents work outside the community. The city has a public library, K-12 public schools, a volunteer fire department, and a small cluster of stores and restaurants in the downtown area. It is also home to several businesses and institutions of regional note. These include the historic Cove Warm Springs Swimming Pool, Artesian Blue Water Company, Gilstrap Brothers Winery, the Cove Christian Camp, and the Ascension School Camp and Conference Center. The Episcopal church and bishop’s residence adjoining the Ascension School grounds are in the national registry of historic buildings.
Cove has been a fruit production center for over 100 years. Today, there are approximately 500 acres of commercial orchards, planted to sweet cherries, on the hillsides above the town. Livestock production, wheat, mint, and a variety of other crops make up the remaining farm operations.
Close proximity to the Moss Springs Trail head, located 7 miles east of town, make Cove a convenient recreational gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Wallowa National Forest, for both local citizens and out of town visitors.
http://www.coveoregon.org/aboutcove_description.shtml
