Categories: TRAVEL

Oregon: Fun Facts and Trivia

When it comes to state symbols, Oregon is unique. It’s the only state to have an official state nut, the hazelnut. Its state flag shows a beaver on its reverse side and is the only state banner to carry two separate designs, according to oregon.com.

Mt. Hood, which stands 11,239 feet tall, is the highest peak in the state and is actually a dormant volcano. Among the other scenic attractions of the state are Silver Falls State Park, with 10 waterfalls and a variety of forested hiking trails. Fort Clatsop National Memorial features a replica of Lewis and Clark’s 1805-1806 winter outpost. Both professional and amateur photographers will enjoy a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.

Campers will appreciate that the Oregon’s state park system contains 19 parks with 159 yurts – circular domed tents – available. The Willamette River was discovered in 1792. The state is also home to the world’s shortest river, the D River, which is only 121 feet long. While the Columbia River forms a large part of the northern border between Oregon and Washington, the Snake River makes up more than half of the state’s eastern boundary with Idaho.

Of the nine lighthouses standing along the Oregon coastline, five are still in use. The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, erected in 1880, is now the final resting place of up to 467,000 cremated individuals.

Plant lovers will want to visit the International Rose Test Garden, which sits high above Portland. It contains more than 500 varieties of roses cultivated continuously since 1917. As a matter of fact, Portland is known as the City of Roses. Spelunkerers will want to see the caves inside the Oregon Caves National Monument. They’re carved within solid marble and were discovered in 1874.

Oregon tops all the other states for the number of ghost towns. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, having been formed more than 6,500 years ago in the remains of an ancient volcano. The Oregon Trail remains the longest of the overland routes traveled as the U.S. expanded westward. And Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without any self-serve gas stations.

According to 50states.com, Eugene, Oregon, was the first U.S. city to have one-way streets. Hells Canyon at 8,000 feet deep is the deepest river gorge in North America. The Seaside Aquarium became the first facility in the world to successfully breed harbor seals in captivity.

Oregon joined the Union as the 33rd state on February 14, 1859 and celebrates its birthday on Valentine’s Day. The origin of the state’s name remains unknown.

You will recognize the names of many famous people who hailed from Oregon or currently reside there. Among politicians were former President Herbert Hoover, Pat Schroeder and Wayne Morse. Historical figures include explorers William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and Sacagawea, along with Chief Joseph and railroad builder HenryVillard.

Entertainers Jane Powell, Doc Severinsen, Sally Struthers and Danny Glover have called it home, as have Kim Novak, Johnnie Ray, Lindsay Wagner, Mel Blanc and Ginger Rogers. Athletes who hail from the state include Steve Prefontaine, Mel Counts, Harmon Killebrew, Bob Lilly and Don Schollander.

Food expert James Beard is an Oregonian. So was scientist Linus Pauling, author Phyllis McGinley and writers Jean Auel and Beverly Cleary.