The Oregon State Quarter was issued in 2005 as the 6th specially designed district in the State Quarters Series. It features Crater Lake, Watchmen and Hillman Peaks, and Wizard Island, with the year Oregon became a state and the year of issue. It was chosen over other designs by the Governor of Oregon and has […]
The Douglas fir is the state tree of Oregon and a valuable resource for the lumber and paper industries, providing jobs for many Oregonians. It grows primarily in the western half of the state and has a distinctive triangular shape with flat needles and brown cones. Logging led to a boom in the economy, but […]
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a private, non-profit museum in Portland, Oregon that showcases natural history and industrial technologies specific to the region. It is funded by admission fees, donations, and memberships. The museum offers interactive learning environments and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It has […]
Oregon’s state flag is unique because it has a different design on each side. One side has a gold shield and stars, while the other depicts a beaver. Oregon became a state on Valentine’s Day in 1859 and produces 99% of US hazelnuts. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US. What is unusual […]
The western skylark is Oregon’s state bird, found in open fields and agricultural areas. Male birds are polygamous and use display methods during mating season. Their diet consists of various foods, and they have natural predators. The bird was chosen by Oregon school children and is also the state bird of other states. Oregon’s state […]
The Oregon Trail was a 2,000-mile migration route used by over 300,000 Americans between 1830 and 1860. The journey was made in covered wagons and was arduous, with many hardships and dangers. The lure of cheap land and economic opportunities attracted people from all walks of life. The westward migration was encouraged by the US […]
Oregon’s state motto, “She flies on her wings,” was written by Judge Quinn Thornton in 1854 and was replaced with “The Union” in 1957. It was changed back to the original motto in 1987. The state seal features the previous motto and symbolic images, while the state flag is double-sided with a representation of the […]
Oregon’s state flag was adopted in 1925 after a postmaster’s request. It is the only two-sided state flag, displaying different designs. A 2001 survey ranked it as the 40th worst-designed flag. The front features symbols of the state’s history and resources, while the back displays a beaver, the state animal. State legislators officially adopted the […]
Oregon is known as “The Beaver State” due to its association with the animal, which was hunted for its fur and meat by early settlers and Native Americans. The state’s abundant streams provided a perfect habitat for beavers, leading to the creation of trapping trails and eventually The Oregon Trail. The beaver’s population declined due […]
Oregon is becoming a rival to California due to its natural attractions, including whale watching and fly fishing, as well as its wineries. With over 130 wineries, visitors can enjoy delicious food and wine, but should ensure they have a designated driver or hire a guide. Some say Oregon is the new California. While Oregon […]
