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 Facts About Oregon
 Indians came to the land called Oregon
at least 10,000 years ago. They were followed into the area by European
fur traders and mountain men in the early 1800s. In 1805, the Lewis and
Clark expedition arrived, and the benefits and natural wonders of this
place were quickly spread to the east. Beginning in 1846, as if transfixed
by the opportunities that Oregon offered, thousands and thousand of
settlers traveled here via the Oregon Trail. America finally declared
Oregon a territory in 1848, and then a state in 1859. It's a land of
windswept beaches, green forests, beautiful river valleys, and rugged,
snow-capped volcanic mountains. Oregon is still that "Land of
Opportunity," and its incredible beauty and scenery are a magnet for
visitors from around the world.
Capital:
Salem
Population:
3,421,399
Entered the Union:
February 14, 1859
As
the: 33rd
state
Motto:
Alis volat Propriis (She flies with her own wings)
Nickname:
Beaver State
Flower:
Oregon Grape
Bird:
Western Meadowlark
Song:
Oregon, My
Oregon
Sports Teams:
Portland
Trail Blazers (Men's Basketball)
Origin of Name:
Unknown. However, it is generally accepted that the name, first used by
Jonathan Carver in 1778, was taken from the writings of Maj. Robert
Rogers, an English army officer.
Historical Sites:
The
Oregon Trail
Points of Interest:
Crater Lake National Park, Mount Hood, and Bonneville Dam on the Columbia
Bordering States:
Oregon borders Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, and the Pacific
Ocean.
Numerous Facts & Trivia:
Oregon's state flag pictures a beaver on its reverse side. It is the only
state flag to carry two separate designs.
Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state.
The Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in the
world for windsurfing.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and is formed in the
remains of an ancient volcano.
Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.
Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.
Pilot Butte, a cinder cone volcano, exists within the city limits of Bend.
At 329 feet the Coast Douglas-Fir in Oregon is considered the tallest tree
in the state.
At 8,000 feet deep Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North
America.
The hazelnut is Oregon's official state nut. Oregon is the only state that
has an official state nut. The hazelnut is also known as the filbert.
Oregon's state birthday is on February 14, Valentine's Day.
The "Oregon Pioneer" statue that tops the capitol building is a work by
Ulric Ellerhusen. This heroic figure represents the spirit of Oregon's
early settlers.
The state park system has 159 yurts located in 19 parks. Yurts are a
circular domed tent suitable for camping.
Navy blue and gold are Oregon's official state colors.
The Chinook salmon is Oregon's official state fish.
The Willamette River was discovered in 1792.
In 1858 the richest gold find in the Cascade Mountains was discovered in
the Bohemia Mining District at Sharp's Creek near Cottage Grove.
Dorris Ranch in Springfield became the first commercial filbert orchard in
the state.
In 1876 the University of Oregon opened in Eugene. Deady Hall was the
first building on campus and still exists.
In 1880 a sea cave was discovered near what is now known as Florence. Sea
Lion Caves is known to be the largest sea cave in the world.
The nation's most photographed lighthouse is the Heceta Head Lighthouse
located in Lane County.
Darlingtonia Wayside is Oregon's only rare plant sanctuary.
Oregon's second highest waterfall is Salt Creek Falls in the Cascade
Mountain range. It drops 286 feet.
The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest is one of the largest long-term
ecological research sites in the United States.
Eugene is rated by "Bicycling Magazine" as one of the top ten cycling
communities in the United States.
There are nine lighthouses standing along the coastline. Five are still
being used; the others are designated historic monuments.
Portland is considered an example of outstanding urban planning. The city
is known as The City of Roses.
High above the city of Portland the International Rose Test Garden
features more than 500 varieties of roses cultivated continuously since
1917.
At 11,239 feet Mount Hood stands as the tallest peak in Oregon. Mount Hood
is a dormant volcano.
Silver Falls State Park is the Oregon's largest state park. It features 10
waterfalls and contains a wide variety of forested hiking trails.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It was formed more
than 6,500 years ago. Its crystal-blue waters are world renowned.
Discovered in 1874 the caves located in Oregon Caves National Monument are
carved within solid marble.
The world's largest rosary collection is exhibited at The Columbia Gorge
Interpretive Center. A local resident collected the exhibit.
The Carousel Museum contains the world's largest and most comprehensive
collection of carousel horses.
Fort Clatsop National Memorial contains a replica of Lewis and Clark's
1805-1806 winter outpost.
The small village of Bickelton is filled with bluebird houses seen on the
posts of every house.
The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area is a spectacular river canyon
cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.
The Ries-Thompson House is the oldest remaining residence in Parkdale.
Built circa 1900 the home and area offer a commanding view of Mount Hood.
Tillamook is home to Oregon's largest cheese factory.
Florence is known as Oregon's rhododendron capital.
The Oregon Legislature designated the Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as
the Oregon state flower by resolution in 1899.
Oregon's capitol building is located in Salem. Earlier capitals include
the cities of Oregon City and Corvallis.
The Columbia River forms most of the northern border between Oregon and
Washington. The Snake River forms over half of the eastern boundary with
Idaho.
In 1905 the largest long cabin in the world was built in Portland to honor
the Lewis and Clark expedition.
A treaty between the United States and Spain established the current
southern border between Oregon and California. The treaty was signed in
1819.
The Oregon Trail is the longest of the overland routes used in the
westward expansion of the United States.
The Tillamook Naval Air Museum is housed in the world's largest wooden
clear-span building.
Haystack Rock off Cannon Beach is 235 feet high and is the third largest
coastal monolith in the world.
The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, built in 1880, is currently used as the
site of the final resting place of up to 467,000 cremated individuals.
The Seaside Aquarium was the first facility in the world to successfully
breed harbor seals in captivity.
Learn more at 50states.com
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