State Flag |
The flags reverse side depicts a beaver. Oregon has the distinction of being the only state in the union whose flag has a different pattern on the reverse side. Statehood: February 14, 1859 |
State Motto |
"She Flies With Her Own Wings" was adopted by the 1987 Legislature as the state motto. The phrase originated with Judge Jessie Quinn Thornton and was pictured on the territorial seal in Latin: "Alis Volat Propiis." The new motto replaces "The Union" which was adopted in 1957. |
State Seal |
 The state seal consists of an escutcheon, or shield, supported by 33 stars and divided by an ordinary, or ribbon, with the inscription "The Union". Above the ordinary are the mountains and forests of Oregon, an elk with branching antlers, a covered wagon and ox team, the Pacific Ocean with setting sun, a departing British man-of-war signifying the departure of British influence in the region and an arriving American merchant ship signifying the rise of American power. Below the ordinary is a quartering with a sheaf of wheat, plow and pickax, which represent Oregon's mining and agricultural resources. The crest is the American Eagle. Around the perimeter of the seal is the legend "State of Oregon 1859". A resolution adopted by the Constitutional Convention in session on September 17, 1857, authorized the president to appoint a committee of three--Benjamin F. Burch, L.F. Grover and James K. Kelly--to report on a proper device for the seal of the state of Oregon. Harvey Gordon created a draft, to which the committee recommended certain additions that are all incorporated in the state seal. |
State Name |
Nickname: Beaver State The first written record of the name "Oregon" comes to us from a 1765 proposal for a journey written by Major Robert Rogers, an English army officer. It reads, "The rout... is from the Great Lakes towards the Head of the Mississippi, and from thence to the River called by the Indians Ouragon. ..." His proposal rejected, Rogers reapplied in 1772, using the spelling "Ourigan." The first printed use of the current spelling appeared in Captain Jonathan Carvers 1778 book, "Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America 1766, 1767 and 1768." He listed the four great rivers of the continent, including "the River of Oregon, or the River of the West, that falls into the Pacific Ocean at the Straits of Annian." Origin of state's name: |
| State Capital | Capital City: Salem, established in 1854 Location: 44.92450 N, 123.02205 W Salem is located at the 45th Parallel, which means the distance is equal at that point between the equator and the North Pole. |
State Animal |
 The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) was named Oregon state animal by the 1969 Legislature. |
State Bird |
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State Flower |
Oregon Grape - The Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast, its year round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly.The legislature designated the Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as the Oregon state flower by resolution in 1899. A low growing plant, the Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast and is found sparsely east of the Cascades. Its year-round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly. The plant bears dainty yellow flowers in early summer and a dark blue berry that ripens late in the fall. The fruit can be used in cooking. |
State Mushroom |
 The 1999 Legislature recognized the Pacific golden chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus) as the official mushroom of the State of Oregon. The Pacific golden chanterelle is a wild, edible fungi of high culinary value that is unique to the Pacific Northwest. More than 500,000 pounds of the Pacific golden chanterelles are harvested annually in Oregon, representing a large portion of the commercial mushroom business. |
State Fish |
 The Chinook Salmon, also known as spring, king and tyee salmon. The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), also known as spring, king and tyee salmon, is the largest of the Pacific salmons and the most highly prized for the fresh fish trade. Declared state fish by the 1961 Legislature, the Chinook Salmon is found from southern California to the Canadian Arctic. Record catches of 53 inches and 126 pounds have been reported. |
State Insect |
In 1979 the legislature designated the Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius) as Oregon's official insect. A true native of the Northwest, the Oregon Swallowtail is at home in the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Snake River drainage. This strikingly beautiful butterfly, predominantly yellow, is a wary, strong flier not easily captured. |
State Nut |
 The hazelnut (Corylus avellana) was named state nut by the 1989 Legislature. Oregon grows 99 percent of the entire U.S. commercial crop. Also known as the filbert. |
State Song |
J.A. Buchanan of Astoria and Henry B. Murtagh of Portland wrote "Oregon, My Oregon," in 1920. With this song, Buchanan and Murtagh won a statewide competition sponsored by the Society of Oregon Composers, gaining statewide recognition. The song became the official state song in 1927. Oregon, My Oregon Land of the Empire Builders, Land of the Golden West; Land of the rose and sunshine, Land of the summer's breeze;
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State Tree |
 The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), named for David Douglas, a 19th century Scottish botanist, was designated state tree in 1939. Great strength, stiffness and moderate weight make it an invaluable timber product said to be stronger than concrete. Averaging up to 200' in height and six feet in diameter, heights of 325' and diameters of 15' also can be found. |
State Rock |
 The Thunder-egg (geode) was named state rock by the 1965 Legislature after rockhounds throughout Oregon voted it first choice. Thundereggs range in diameter from less than one inch to over four feet. Nondescript on the outside, they reveal exquisite designs in a wide range of colors when cut and polished. They are found chiefly in Crook, Jefferson, Malheur, Wasco and Wheeler counties. |
State Gem |
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State Shell |
 In 1848, a conchologist (shell expert) named Redfield named the Fusitriton oregonensis after the Oregon Territory. Commonly called the Oregon hairy triton, the shell is one of the largest found in the state, reaching lengths up to five inches. The shells are found from Alaska to California and wash up on the Oregon coast at high tide. The legislature named the state shell in 1991. |
Lighthouses |
Cape Arago, Cape Blanco, Cape Meares, Coquille River, Heceta Head, Tillamook Rock, Umpqua, Yaquina Bay, Yaquina Head |
Major
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Coast Range, Klamath Mountains, Cascade Range and Wallowa Mountains USGS "Visit A Volcano" Cascade Range Volcanos |
| Major Rivers |
Longest Rivers: Oregon's Wild and Scenic Rivers include: John Day River (147.5 miles), Deschutes River (173.4 miles), Rogue River, (40.3 miles), Grande Rhonde River (43.8 miles), Metolius River (28.6 miles), Crooked River (15.0 miles). The D River in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast, is the shortest river in the United States. Running less than 100 yards from Devils Lake to the Pacific, the D River divides Lincoln City into north and south. |
Geological
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Oregon is a state divided by mountains. The Cascade Mountains stretch across the entire north/south length of Oregon, producing areas with two entirely different climates. West of the Cascades, a mild, moist marine climate prevails, while east of the Cascades, Oregon's high desert country can be scorching hot or bitterly cold. In between the Cascades and the coast, the Coast Range defines the lush growing land of the Willamette Valley from the marine coast area. Oregon is located half way between the equator and the north pole. Oregon is 395 miles wide (east to west at widest point); 295 miles in length (north to south at longest distance). Border States: California - Idaho - Nevada - Washington
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National
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John Day Fossil Beds (1974), Newberry National Volcanic Monument (1990), Oregon Caves (1909), Fort Clatsop (1958), Cascade-Siskiyou (2000) |
National
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Columbia River Gorge (1986) |
National
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Deschutes, Fremont, Malheur, Mount Hood, Ochoco, Rogue River, Siskiyou, Suislaw, Umatilla, Umpqua, Wallowa-Whitman, Willamette, Winema. Sixty percent of Oregon's forests are publicly owned. West of the Cascades, Douglas fir is the primary conifer species, with Sitka spruce and western hemlock found mainly on the coast. East of the Cascades, the main species is Ponderosa pine. Other eastern Oregon trees are larch, lodgepole pine and western juniper. Broadleaf trees include big leaf maple, Oregon white oak and madrone. Pungent smelling myrtlewood grows in southern Oregon. |
National
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Oregon Trail, 2,000 miles/3.200 km from Independence, Missouri to Fort Vancouver and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Oregon Trail Map Library. |
| State Economy |
Agriculture: Cattle, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products, wheat. |
| State Population |
1850 - 12,093 City with largest population: Portland. |
Area History
About thirteen thousand years ago the first native Americans had arrived in the Northwest from Mongolia by way of Siberia and Alaska. The Indian pictographs on canyon walls and legends of the Northwest's earliest historic accounts provide the story of how Oregon was shaped by the ocean, volcanoes and rain. Many Oregon names are derived from Indian tribal names, such as Multnomah, Willamette, Siuslaw and Clackamas.
The native Americans were followed many centuries later by Spanish and British mariners seeking the fabled "great river of the west." It was an American, however, Captain John Gray, who in 1792 discovered the great river and named it for his ship, The Columbia. Captain Gray was one of the first white men to enter Oregon.
This discovery prompted Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to send the exploring team of Lewis and Clark overland to gain more knowledge of the region and to find out if there was a northwest passage. They found that the passage did not exist, but laid claim to the territory. Their expedition, along with Captain Gray's trip, gave the United States a strong stake in the land.
Early trappers and fur traders made exciting explorations, finding the bounty that Oregon provided. The British Hudson's Bay Company, led by Dr. John McLoughlin, became the dominant force in the economy. This fur-trading company directed activities throughout the region and built the original capital of the Oregon Territory in Oregon City at the northern end of the Willamette Valley.
It wasn't until the 1840s, however, that the main influx of people began. Pioneers from the East Coast border states and merchants traveling by ship from New England increased the Oregon population, leading to the creation of the Oregon Territory in 1848 and statehood in 1859.
The emigrants, traveling by wagon, crossed the Oregon Trail from 1841 to 1860, covering 2,000 miles from Missouri to Western Oregon. The majority of the pioneers settled in the fertile Willamette Valley. Discoveries of gold on the coast and in the high country led to settlement in these regions as well. These latter settlements, however, provoked tragic Indian wars which lasted many years. The Rogue River, Modoc, Paiute, Bannock and Nez Perce Indian wars all concluded with the Indians surrendering their land.
When the railroads came to Oregon in the 1870s the agriculture industry no longer required direct access to waterways because supplies could be transported overland. The arrival of the automobile quickened the urban growth of the state, and the depletion of eastern forests brought logging to Oregon on a huge scale. Many of the millions of visitors to Oregon's Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905 were tempted to stay.
Oregon's pioneer spirit has continued on through the years in many ways that have influenced the rest of the country. Citizens are supportive of the environment, cultural affairs and a life style that combines urban conveniences with the wonders of our wilderness. Oregon has a beloved place in the lives of its residents and they enjoy sharing their history, products and beauty with others.
Sources & Area Links
Oregon Blue Book
Visitor Information
Walking Tour of The Dalles
Search Oregon
Online Highways -The Dalles
Mt Hood National Forest
Darius' Photographs of the Pacific Northwest
University of Oregon Local Area Data
USGS "Visit A Volcano" Cascade Range Volcanos
Moving to Portland.Net
Oregon's Wild and Scenic Rivers
First Gov - Link to searches about the US Government
Oregon Dept. of Forestry Maps
Oregon Historical Markers
Oregon State Parks
Oregon State Parks "Find A Park"
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The Oregon state flag, adopted in 1925, is navy blue with gold lettering and symbols. Blue and gold are the state colors. On the flags face the legend "STATE OF OREGON" is written above a heart-shaped shield with an eagle on top, surrounded by 33 stars (The number of states in 1859). The scene on the shield shows the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests and a covered wagon. A plow, wheat and pickax represent farming and mining. Of the two ships: The one leaving is a British ship and the one arriving is a United States ship representing trade. The eagle represents the United States. On a banner are the words "The Union" representing support for the United States. 
Below the shield, which is part of the state seal, is written "1859," the year of Oregons admission to the union as the 33rd state.
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen state bird in 1927 by Oregon's school children in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audobon Society. Native throughout western North America, the bird has brown plumage with buff and black markings. Its underside is bright yellow with a black crescent on the breast; its outer tail feathers are mainly white and are easily visible when it flies. The Western Meadowlark is known for its distinctive and beautiful song.
Oregon Swallowtail - This strikingly beautiful butterfly, predominantly yellow, is a wary, strong flier not easily captured.
The 1987 Legislature designated the Oregon sunstone as the official state gemstone. Uncommon in its composition, clarity, and colors, it is a large, brightly colored transparent gem in the feldspar family. The Oregon sunstone attracts collectors and miners and has been identified as a boon to tourism and economic development in southeastern Oregon counties.
