In 1841, the expert trapper and entrepreneur Ewing Young died leaving considerable wealth and no apparent heir, and no system to probate his estate. A meeting followed Young’s funeral, at which a probate government was proposed.42 Doctor Ira Babcock of Jason Lee’s Methodist Mission was elected supreme judge.43 Babcock chaired two meetings in 1842 at Champoeg, (halfway between Lee’s mission and Oregon City), to discuss wolves and other animals of contemporary concern. It was succeeded by a Second Executive Committee, made up of Peter G. Stewart, Osborne Russell, and William J. Bailey, and this committee was itself succeeded by George Abernethy, who was the first and only Governor of Oregon under the provisional government.
Geographic Regions
Bend, strategically positioned near the Cascade Range, has emerged as a center for outdoor activities. The Malheur-Owyhee Upland of southeastern Oregon is generally a high, warped plateau. It contains older lava and has been more eroded than the High Lava Plains. The major drainage system, the Owyhee River, has incised several notable canyons in an area locally called the Rimrock Country. Along the Snake River in the east-central portion of the state, there is highly productive irrigation agriculture to supplement livestock grazing.
Once hunted for its fur, the beaver—Oregon’s state animal—is common here. Other local mammals include Roosevelt elk, gray wolves, and wolverines. Burrowing owls, snowy plovers, sage grouse, and osprey are some of Oregon’s avian residents. Reptiles such as western pond turtles and Oregon alligator lizards creep through the state. Meanwhile spotted frogs, Pacific giant salamanders, and coastal tailed frogs are a few of the area’s amphibians. The Willamette Lowland is a narrow, fertile area in the northwest.
The climate zone of Oregon varies greatly depending on local topography with mild maritime climate prevailing over western parts while continental climate dominates eastern parts receiving more cold spells during the winter season. Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon boasts a vibrant political map that showcases its 36 counties in all their glory. The capital city, Salem, stands tall at the center, a hub of activity and culture. Oregon’s vast forests are a leading source for lumber in the U.S. Oregon’s soils and climate provide ideal conditions for the growth of trees in the region.
- Unlike the Thunderegg, Oregon sunstone is regarded highly as the state’s official gemstone (designated in 1987) because of its brightly colored appearance.
- It is the ninth largest state in the U.S.70 Oregon’s highest point is the summit of Mount Hood, at 11,249 feet (3,429 m), and its lowest point is the sea level of the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon Coast.71 Oregon’s mean elevation is 3,300 feet (1,006 m).
- It is one of four states that requires two-thirds of members of the House and Senate be present to establish a quorum.262 It is one of a minority of states that does not have a lieutenant governor.263 The Secretary of State is the first in line of succession to replace the governor in event of a vacancy.
- The Portland Timbers play at Providence Park, just west of downtown Portland.
- Once hunted for its fur, the beaver—Oregon’s state animal—is common here.
Major Rivers in Oregon
The highest point in Oregon is Mount Hood at 11,249 feet above sea level. This dormant volcano rises nearly 10,000 feet above nearby valleys and can be seen from many parts of western Oregon. It holds several glaciers near its peak and offers a variety of activities for tourists such as skiing, snowboarding, and hiking. The map of Oregon State perfectly shows the shape of the state and its location.
The Pacific Ocean forms the western boundary, featuring rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque coastal towns. The Coast Range, running parallel to the ocean, consists of heavily forested hills and mountains. Tourism in Oregon benefits from its diverse landscapes, including coastal, forest, desert, and mountainous regions. Crater Lake National Park, with its deep and clear waters, ranks as a prominent natural attraction. The Oregon Coast, featuring scenic routes such as the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, draws numerous visitors seeking coastal experiences.
Significant cities of Oregon of state
Wildflowers such as creeping Oregon grape, sticky purple geranium, white mule’s ears, and heal-all (sometimes used to sooth sore throats) grow in Oregon. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Originally, it was called Chemeketa by the Kalapuya Indians – a term that means “place of rest” or “place of peace”. The name was later changed to Salem, which is close to the Hebrew term “shalom” or peace.
Oregon (/ˈɒrɪɡən, -ɡɒn/ ⓘ ORR-ih-ghən, -gon)78 is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is a part of the Western U.S., with the Columbia River delineating much of Oregon’s northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. The 42° north parallel delineates the southern boundary with California and Nevada.
The Columbia River flows along most of the border with Washington. The highest mountain is Mount Hood (11,237 feet or 3,425 metres high), part of the Cascade Range of mountains. Another famous Cascade Mountain in Oregon is Mount Mazama, better known as Crater Lake. Salem is the capital (where most of the state government works), and Portland is the city with the most people.
On May 5, 1945, six civilians were killed by a Japanese balloon bomb that exploded on Gearhart Mountain near Bly.5960 They remained the only people on American soil whose deaths were attributed to an enemy balloon bomb explosion during World War II. The bombing site is now located in the Mitchell Recreation Area. Volunteer cavalry recruited in California were sent north to Oregon to keep peace and protect the populace. Settlement increased with the Donation Land Claim Act of state of oregon 1850 and the forced relocation of the native population to Indian reservations in Oregon.
A small, prehistoric stone knife found here in 2012 has convinced some archaeologists that people have lived in what’s now Oregon for at least 15,000 years. Much later Native American tribes including the Paiute, Nez Perce, Shasta, Tillamook, Chinook, and many more lived on the land. Upon reaching the region, both Spain and Great Britain claimed it for themselves. Mountain men (people who knew a lot about living in mountainous places) had found a passway over the Rocky Mountains, and they named it the South Pass. In 1836 a missionary named Marcus Whitman crossed through the pass with his wife to Oregon. This proved that it was possible for others with women and families to go too, and because of this, Oregon suddenly became the place pioneers wanted to make a trip to.
Governor declares state of emergency amid severe Oregon flooding
Crater Lake is a notable physical feature that makes Oregon a unique state in the entire country. Crater Lake is actually the deepest (592 meters) among the lakes in the U.S. and one of the deepest in the world. The most intriguing part of its history is that it was formed as a volcanic lake thousands of years ago. Its scenic crystal-blue waters are well-known by every traveller worldwide. You could stack the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument and Statue of Liberty on top of each other and still have 100 feet of water covering Lady Liberty’s torch.
- Oregon’s soils and climate provide ideal conditions for the growth of trees in the region.
- The tallest lighthouse is the most popular lighthouse on the coast and has been in service since 1873.
- —At 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
- While there is considerable evidence that Paleo-Indians inhabited the region, the oldest evidence of habitation in Oregon was found at Fort Rock Cave and the Paisley Caves in Lake County.
Starting in the 1840s American settlers arrived by way of the Oregon Trail, a more than 2,000-mile-long route for wagon trains. (Marks that wagon wheels left in the earth, called ruts, can still be seen today.) Soon there were so many Americans here that the European countries gave up their claim to the land, and in 1859 Oregon became the 33rd state. Bend, Oregon was named because of an area that the settlers called “Farewell Bend”. This was the spot where pioneers would say their goodbyes before heading westward.
The altitude varies widely, from approximately 600 feet (180 meters) to over 7,400 feet (2,250 meters). Canyons, flat valleys, mountains, and gentle rolling hills extend throughout. To the west of the state lies Oregon’s Coast Range, hugging the Pacific coast. Steep cliffs, low, forested mountains, and small lakes are scattered throughout this area. Portland, Oregon’s largest city, has many cultural and economic activities, art culture, major parks, and big variety of cuisine. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, contributes to the state’s academic and economic landscape.
Forestry and fisheries
Furthermore, many of the early pioneers first came out West with the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company before heading South of the Columbia for better farmland as the fur trade declined. French Prairie by the Willamette River and French Settlement by the Umpqua River are known as early mixed ancestry settlements. Yet another account, endorsed as the “most plausible explanation” in the book Oregon Geographic Names, was advanced by George R. Stewart in a 1944 article in American Speech. According to Stewart, the name came from an engraver’s error in a French map published in the early 18th century, on which the Ouisiconsink (Wisconsin) River was spelled “Ouaricon-sint”, broken on two lines with the -sint below, so there appeared to be a river flowing to the west named “Ouaricon”.
The Klamath Mountains—a rugged, forested area—cross Oregon’s southwest corner. South of the Columbia Plateau is the Basin and Range Region, which is mostly semi-arid and contains a few steep mountains. Taxability of your benefits is a matter of federal taxation, not state taxation. The Oregon Department of Revenue cannot give you federal tax advice.
Ballot measures
The flooding has inundated roads, bridges, and culverts, disrupting emergency services, essential operations, and local commerce. Homes, businesses, agricultural lands, and livestock areas have suffered damage, with further flooding likely as warming continues. —At 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Oregon’s most common type of tree is the Douglas fir (the state tree). Oregon is also known for hemlock, red alder, bigleaf maple, and ponderosa pine.