Historical Markers in
Clackamas County, Oregon

A Final Rest Abigail Scott Duniway Area Commerce Baker Cabin Historical Society Baker Cabin Pioneer Church Baker Site Barlow Road Boone’s Landing Canemah Clackamas Chinook Coyote Creates Willamette Falls Coyote Creates Willamette Falls Dr. Forbes Barclay Dr. John McLoughlin Dr. John McLoughlin Dr. John McLoughlin Dr. John McLoughlin 1784 - 1857 Drug Store and Lodge Hall Earthquakes and Mountain Fog Emigrant's Final Steps End of the Oregon Trail End of the Oregon Trail Eva Emery Dye Explosion of Steamer Gazelle Fishing At Tumwater Gardens George Abernethy George Abernethy's Historical Significance George Rogers House - 1929 Government Camp Government Camp Green Street Grinding Rock Grove of the States Harold E. Babcock Historic Canemah Cemetery Historic Viola School Iron Company Worker's Cottage Joseph L. Meek King 56 Aircrew Memorial Lakewood School - 1928 Larry G. Dahl Laurel Hill Lot Whitcomb Lower Oswego Creek Bridge McCald Building McLoughlin House Medorem Crawford Murphy Real Estate Building - 1940 Norris Young Machine Shop OK Barber Shop Old Oregon Trail Old Town Oregon Oregon City Oregon City Falls Original Stash Oswego Landing Peter Skene Ogden House Salamander Samuel Kimbrough Barlow Sidney W. Moss Site of Bill Flynn’s Saloon Site of the Train Depot Tauchman House The Baker Cabin The Baker Cabin Overview The Baker Family The Confederate Tribes of Grande Ronde Today The Cottage Hotel The Durham Mill The First People the man from k̓ašxəʼkšix returned with eels to feed his people The Oregon Trail The Trail of Tears The Vietnam Monument The “Old Church” Timberline Lodge To The Banks Of The Willamette Veterans Memorial Building Wagons Willamette Falls Willamette Falls Locks Willamette Falls, circa 1880 Wilsonville Baseball "Disparite Bad Beyond Discription" "Sumate Prairie"
The town of Ashland, Oregon is home to the oldest continuously operating Shakespeare festival in the United States. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1935 and has become a major cultural attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.
Oregon random facts
Clackamas County, located in the state of Oregon, has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The earliest known inhabitants of the area were various Native American tribes, including the Clackamas and the Molalla tribes, who relied on the region's abundant natural resources for their livelihood.

In the early 19th century, European explorers and fur trappers arrived in the area, followed by the establishment of the Oregon Trail, a major route for settlers heading westward. Clackamas County was officially established on July 5, 1843, becoming one of the original four counties in the Oregon Territory. The county was named after the Clackamas tribe, who referred to themselves as the Clackamas Chinookan people.

During the mid-19th century, the county experienced rapid growth and development as settlers arrived in search of land and new opportunities. Agriculture played a crucial role in the region, with farms and orchards flourishing, and the Willamette River serving as a vital transportation route. The county also saw the establishment of several communities, including Oregon City, which became the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains.

In the 20th century, Clackamas County underwent significant changes with the growth of the timber industry, attracting many logging and lumber companies. The construction of hydroelectric dams, such as the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project, brought further industrial development to the region. Today, the county is known for its diverse landscapes, including forests, rivers, and mountains, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It continues to thrive as a vibrant and thriving community, with a strong emphasis on preserving its environmental and cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Clackamas County, Oregon.

  • 1843 - Clackamas County is created as one of the original four districts in the Oregon Territory.
  • 1844 - The first county seat, Oregon City, is established.
  • 1853 - The Oregon City Bridge, the first suspension bridge on the West Coast, is completed.
  • 1873 - Lake Oswego is incorporated as a town.
  • 1912 - The Pacific Highway, connecting Oregon City and Portland, is completed.
  • 1935 - Mount Hood National Forest is established, encompassing a large portion of Clackamas County.
  • 1974 - Clackamas Town Center, the county's largest shopping mall, opens in Happy Valley.
  • 1998 - The Clackamas County Event Center is constructed in Canby to host fairs, rodeos, and other events.
  • 2017 - The Willamette Falls Locks, a historic navigation system, closes for repairs and restoration.
  • 2020 - The Riverside Fire, one of Oregon's most destructive wildfires, burns through parts of Clackamas County.