An autonomous government was formed in what was then called Oregon Country
in 1843, Oregon Territory was created in 1848 and in 1859 Oregon became the
33rd state of the Union.

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, regular U.S. troops were withdrawn and
sent east. Volunteer cavalry recruited in California were sent north to Oregon to
keep peace and protect the populace. The First Oregon Cavalry served until June
1865.

In the 1880s, the growth of railroads helped market the state’s lumber, wheat, and
the rapid growth of its cities.

Mount Hood reflected in Mirror Lake

Volume 1 Number 1 of the Oregon City Oregon Spectator ran off the press
on February 5, 1846

The history of newspaper publication in the American West began with "The
Oregon Spectator", It marked the birth of journalism not only in Oregon, but on
the entire West Coast. Seven months later, California’s first paper was published,
while the State of Washington didn’t see their first newspaper until 1852.

Main Street Oregon City, 1920

1851