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Established in 1859, Oregon is celebrated for its rich wild west history, unique modern-day customs, and breathtaking natural wonders, such as the largest living organism on Earth. Explore 25 captivating facts about the 33rd state in the U.S.
1. Portland boasts the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland. Created in 1948 by Dick Fagan, a World War II veteran, Mills End Park is said to be inhabited by invisible leprechauns, with Patrick O’Toole as their leader. This tiny park, spanning just two square feet, originated as an unused hole meant for a light post. Fagan, who worked nearby, transformed it into a whimsical space by planting flowers and crafting tales about its leprechaun residents.
2. Located in south-central Oregon, Crater Lake holds the title of the deepest lake in the United States and ranks among the top 10 deepest globally. Formed approximately 7700 years ago by a volcanic collapse, the lake reaches depths of nearly 2000 feet and features two islands: Wizard Island and Phantom Ship.
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3.
Oregon hosts the largest mushroom in the world. Found in the Blue Mountains, this massive honey fungus covers about 2.4 miles and is estimated to be between 1900 and 8650 years old.
4. Mushroom foraging is a highly popular and profitable activity in Oregon, so much so that the state celebrates an annual mushroom festival. The Estacada Festival of the Fungus includes mushroom hunts, tastings, fungus-inspired art, and educational sessions on mushroom identification. This unique culture was showcased in the 2014 documentary The Last Season, which chronicles the lives of professional mushroom hunters searching for rare finds.
5. A 2012 study revealed that Portland has the highest number of bicyclists per capita in the U.S. Beyond commuting, the city has developed a vibrant bike culture, featuring events like the weekly “Zoobombing,” where participants race small bikes downhill in the West Hills, and CHUNK bike building, which involves crafting uniquely designed, oversized, or unusually shaped bicycles.
Simon Zirkunow, Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
6.
Oregon has served as the filming location for many movies and TV shows. Alongside the beloved IFC series Portlandia, iconic films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and The Goonies (1985) were both set and shot in Oregon. Additionally, the popular Twilight series, though set in Forks, Washington, was filmed across both Washington and Oregon.
7. The world’s tallest barber pole stands in Forest Grove. Constructed in 1973, this 72-foot-tall pole, adorned with red, white, and blue stripes, towers over the previous record-holder, a 40-foot pole in San Antonio.
Casey Bisson, Flickr // CC BY-NC-NA 2.0
8.
Rumors of buried pirate treasure on Neahkahnie Mountain along the Oregon coast have persisted for centuries. This enduring legend has captivated generations and spurred countless treasure hunters, some of whom claim to have found hints—though the treasure itself remains undiscovered.
9. Oregon is among the five U.S. states that impose no sales tax, alongside Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, and Alaska. While the state does levy an income tax, shoppers can relish tax-free purchases, with the sole exception being a 25 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana, enacted on January 1, 2016, until the Oregon Liquor Control Commission assumes regulation of cannabis sales.
10. Located in northern Oregon, Albany houses The Historic Carousel Museum, showcasing antique carousel animals and artwork. The museum is also crafting its own operational carousel, featuring a diverse collection of 52 hand-carved animals.
Pat Kight, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
11.
In the midst of the Great Depression, North Bend introduced wooden coins as a form of currency. These coins remain legal tender today, though they are highly sought after by collectors and seldom used in transactions.
12. Oregon’s state flag is unique in the U.S. for having a different design on each side. The front displays the state seal’s escutcheon in blue and gold, while the back showcases a golden beaver.
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13.
The University of Oregon’s mascot, the Oregon Duck, is inspired by Donald Duck. Established in 1947, it remains the only college mascot in the U.S. based on a Disney character.
14. The origin of Oregon’s name remains a mystery. Some theories suggest it comes from the French word for hurricane (ouregan), while others trace it to the Spanish term orejon, meaning "big ears."
15. Evidence of human presence in Oregon dates back 14,300 years. In 2012, Oregon’s Paisley Caves were added to the National Register of Historic Places after DNA from humans was found on artifacts within the caves, marking some of the earliest proof of human settlement in North America.
16. The Oregon Trail, extending 2200 miles, was the longest of the land routes used during the westward expansion of the United States.
17. Gresham, now Oregon’s fourth-largest city, wasn’t officially incorporated until 1905. Previously known as Powell Valley in the 19th century—and sometimes called “Camp Ground”—the area lacked a post office, preventing it from becoming a recognized city. Benjamin Rollins, a local businessman, persuaded postmaster Walter Q. Gresham in the 1890s to grant a post office, promising to name the city after him. Gresham agreed, and the city’s name was born.
18. Since 1941, Southern Oregon has sought to secede from the state. Frustrated by inadequate representation, residents of southern Oregon and northern California began advocating for statehood in the 1940s, declaring independence and naming their region “The State of Jefferson.” On November 27, 1941, supporters blocked highways and declared their plan to “secede every Thursday until further notice.” While the secession movement has waned in recent years, some still proudly fly the State of Jefferson flag.
19. Salem’s capitol building was destroyed by fire twice. The first incident occurred in 1855, before Oregon became a state, when the territorial capital building burned down. The second fire, in 1935, consumed the official state capitol, leaving only its metal framework. The cause remains unknown, though later reports suggested “spontaneous combustion” in the basement as a possible explanation.
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20.
Oregon experienced a wartime attack during World War II. Beginning in 1944, Japan launched unmanned balloon bombs toward the U.S. west coast, aiming to cause explosions over populated areas. Approximately 350 bombs reached the U.S. (some as far inland as Iowa), but most were intercepted. The sole fatalities occurred in Gearhart Mountain, Oregon, where six people (including five children) on a picnic accidentally detonated one of the bombs. These deaths are considered the only combat-related casualties on U.S. soil during World War II.
21. Located in eastern Oregon, Hells Canyon is the deepest river-carved canyon in the U.S., reaching a depth of 7993 feet and spanning parts of Oregon and Idaho. Renowned for its breathtaking scenery and whitewater rafting on the Snake River, the canyon has no roads crossing its 10-mile width.
22. Reed College in Portland is unique as the only liberal arts college globally with a nuclear reactor operated by undergraduate students. Established in 1968, the reactor serves as a research and educational tool, managed by 40 students.
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain
23.
Oregon’s official state fish is the Chinook salmon, and its state animal is the beaver. Both species are native to the region, and Oregon is often informally referred to as “The Beaver State.”
24. Mount Hood is frequently regarded as the world’s second-most climbed mountain, with Japan’s Mount Fuji often taking the top spot. While many humans have reached its summit, the record for the most climbs might belong to a dog named Ranger, who reportedly ascended the mountain 500 times between 1925 and 1939. After passing away in 1940, the adventurous canine was laid to rest at Mount Hood’s peak.
25. Rutherford B. Hayes made history in 1880 as the first U.S. president to visit Oregon, 21 years after the state’s official founding. Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush share the record for the most presidential visits to Oregon, each having traveled there five times.
