Prairie City is located in Grant County northeast of Burns, between Austin and John Day along US Highway 26.
Farming and ranching were the original livelihoods, with extensive orchards all along the valley floor. In 1868 a saloon and a few cabins were built at the base of the northeast foothills of Prairie City, which is now Main Street. The grasslands that stretched out to the west earned this town its label. Prairie City was developed to house the overflow of mining camps during the gold rush. Since that time, it has grown to become the second largest city in Grant county.
As a backdrop to this charming community, the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness lies to the South and the Blue Mountains stretch East. Hiking, fishing, camping and cycling are only a few of the many activities in close proximity to Prairie City.
There is also a Prairie City, Iowa.