Bruce Ely/The Oregonian
Happy birthday, Oregon!
On February 14, 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state in the U.S. That day is still celebrated by some state institutions every year – with a slice of cake and a slice of history – but there are so many other ways to mark the occasion. Here are 14 places to visit around the state to celebrate Oregon's birthday, or any other day you get an itch for local history.
--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
1. Oregon City
Oregon City was the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains, the end of the Oregon Trail, the first capital of the Oregon Territory, and a major hub for fur trading, shipbuilding, lumber and religion. You can get a good tour of both history and place on a walk along the McLoughlin Promenade above the town.
Michael Lloyd/The Oregonian
2. Salem
The current state capital is home to the beautiful Oregon State Capitol building, made of marble and topped with a gold statue of an Oregon pioneer. You can also visit other historic sites like the Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Oregon State Hospital Museum, Salem Pioneer Cemetery, Willamette Heritage Center and Historic Downtown Salem.
Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management
3. Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail stretches across several states all the way out to Missouri, but you can visit the later segments of the trail at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, or the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City. Explore the whole thing along the Oregon National Historic Trail.
Steve Morgan/Wikimedia Commons
4. Oregon Historical Society
A go-to resource for Oregon history, the Oregon Historical Society is guaranteed to have interesting exhibits on display about Oregon or national history. It's usually free only for Multnomah County residents, but on Oregon's birthday, the society celebrates with free admission – and free cake – for all.
John M. Vincent/The Oregonian
5. Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
The journey of Lewis and Clark is woven into our culture and history in Oregon, and there's perhaps no better place to learn about the duo of explorers than at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Astoria. See Fort Clatsop, take the Fort to Sea Trail and head out to Fort Stevens State Park while you're at it
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
6. Fort Vancouver
No, it's not in Oregon, but Fort Vancouver played a big part in Oregon's history, acting as a popular trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company in the pioneer era and serving as home to the U.S. Army's Vancouver Barracks during the Civil War and World War I. Just across the Columbia River from Portland, Fort Vancouver is also one of the most popular national park sites in the Pacific Northwest.
John M. Vincent/The Oregonian
7. Oregon Coast
It might be best known for its sweeping seascapes and long stretches of public coastline, but there's also a wealth of history at the Oregon Coast. Visit Fort Stevens State Park, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park or the Columbia River Maritime Museum; hike the beautiful but tragic Amanda Trail; and see the area once pegged for an Oregon Coast National Park.
Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service
8. Historic Columbia River Highway
Thanks to ongoing efforts from folks in the Columbia River Gorge, there are now two different ways to see the old Historic Columbia River Highway, a feat of engineering that was once considered one of the most beautiful highways in the country: by car up to Crown Point and down to several waterfalls, or by non-motorized transportation along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail – a bike and walking path that is nearly complete.
Jamie Francis/The Oregonian
9. National Historic Landmarks
Oregon has 17 National Historic Landmarks, historic sites offered some protection by the U.S. Department of the Interior, from the Bonneville Dam to Fort Rock Cave to the Old Chief Joseph Gravesite. You can see some around Oregon's bigger cities, but the real fun comes from tracking down the more remote sites across the state.
Jamie Francis/The Oregonian
10. Kam Wah Chung
The Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site is one of Oregon's most unique historical sites. The old 19th century trading post was home of Chinese immigrants Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On, who operated it as a medical clinic, general store and community center. For 50 years it was a social, medical and religious hub for Oregon's Chinese community. You can find it out in John Day in eastern Oregon.
Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian
11. Timberline Lodge
Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is known for more than just skiing and the exterior shots in "The Shining." The iconic lodge was built in the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, coming together in a speedy 15 months. The work must have been good; the lodge not only still stands today, it's become a bustling destination for year-round skiing, hiking and relaxing on Oregon's tallest peak.
Jamie Francis/The Oregonian
12. Jacksonville
You might not have Jacksonville at the top of your Oregon bucket list, but the tiny town in southern Oregon has a lot to offer history buffs. Jacksonville was once the largest inland trade center in the state, but when the railroad passed the town by in the 1880s, it quickly faded away. The original historic buildings, however, are remarkably well-preserved, giving Jacksonville new life as a living museum of the pioneer era.
Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
13. Pittock Mansion
Portland's Pittock Mansion offers sweeping views of the city, as well as a quick lesson in the early history of the state's biggest city. The mansion was built in 1914 for Henry Pittock, owner of The Oregonian, and his wife Georgina, a well-regarded philanthropist who created the Portland Rose Society. Drive to the mansion or hike there through Forest Park.
Mike Zacchino/The Oregonian
14. National Register of Historic Places
It's just not feasible to visit every Oregon building listed in the National Register of Historic Places – there are more than 2,000 – but you can certainly catch up on the most recent additions by touring the 11 places that were added to the register in 2016. The list includes the Willamette National Cemetery, Zane Grey Cabin and tiny Fairview City Jail.
Laurie Robinson/The Oregonian
Time travel
To get a full picture of Oregon's history, you need to travel. Our coverage hits at that intersection, taking you on trips through time and offering guides for trips through the area. Check out oregonlive.com/travel and oregonlive.com/history for more news and features. Happy trails!
--Jamie Hale | @HaleJamesB
Teresa Mahoney & Mark Graves
Oregon turns 158: How its borders have changed
Oregon became a state February 14, 1859. Here's a look back at how Oregon's borders have evolved into the Oregon we know and love today.
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