Oregon City Chamber of Commerce

About Oregon City, Oregon Oregon City is located approximately 13 miles south of Portland, along the banks of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers.

Perched on bluffs overlooking thundering Willamette Falls, Oregon City was the destination for thousands of Oregon Trail pioneer settlers in the 1840s. With its rich heritage and natural beauty, the City at the End of the Oregon Trail continues to lure visitors seeking a direct connection to the nation´s pioneer past. Overlooking the Willamette River is the Museum of the Oregon Territory, which has on exhibit the original plot map for the fledgling town of San Francisco. The McLoughlin House, built in 1850, has the distinction of being the first National Historic Site in the West. Saved from demolition in 1909, the house was relocated and opened as a museum in 1910.

Oregon City is also home to the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center that continues to draw thousands of visitors each year. Here, unique displays and a powerful multimedia presentation allow visitors to relive the 2,000-mile journey west. A Regional State Welcome Center is also located at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offering helpful volunteer service and visitor information for travelers.

The historic homes in the McLoughlin District on the hill and the historic buildings on Main Street provide another glimpse into the past. These two areas are connected by the only vertical street in North America, the Oregon City Municipal Elevator. In Downtown Historic Oregon City, you will find lively streets adorned with colorful murals, flower baskets, and additional historic markers.

The Oregon City Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual Open Air Antique Fair here on the last Sunday in August with nearly 150 vendors selling their wares. The Liberty Plaza is located on the former grounds of the 1921 Liberty Theatre, one of Oregon City´s first movie houses. Liberty Plaza, next to the Clackamas County Courthouse, features a stage and sound system for performances, a stone fountain, tables for citizens to relax, eat or play games, historic markers, and colored tile design work depicting a river mosaic connecting the stage and fountain.  Original bricks reserved from the historic Liberty Theater were integrated into the plaza design. 

Only a block east of city center, anglers fish one of the Willamette River´s most popular and productive hot spots, near the base of the majestic Willamette Falls. Other features along the Willamette River include the Jon Storm Dock, located on Clackamette Drive across from the Best Western Rivershore Hotel.

The Oregon City Train Station (ORC) began passenger service in 2004 with a dedication and grand opening celebration at the station. The train station platform is located at 1757 Washington Street. The Oregon City stop is an addition to Amtrak´s Cascade train service which links Seattle, Tacoma and several smaller Washington cities to Portland, Salem, Albany and Eugene. Tickets are available on the train and via www.amtrak.com.

The Carnegie Center is a public art and community center under the management of Fine Art Starts which uses the downstairs level for a wide variety of classes, workshops, and camps. The upper level gallery features local visual and performing artists and contains an espresso café. Cultural events are an integral part of Oregon City. Participate in Family Fun Days during the third weekend in May with events that include the Pioneer Family Festival at Clackamette Park and the Teddy Bear Parade on Main Street. On the 4th of July, Oregon City hosts a celebration at Clackamette Park. The concerts begin in the afternoon and conclude with a fireworks display. Beginning in July and continuing through August, are the Concerts in the Park located at the Carnegie Center on Thursday evenings. The concerts showcase a variety of musical styles and food is available. The Third Annual Oregon City Farmers Market offers an enormous variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, and fresh cut flowers from local farms. It is open Saturdays from May through October and is located adjacent to the Clackamas County Public Service Building on Beavercreek Road.

The reconstruction of Seventh Street was a collaboration of neighbors, business and the City of Oregon City. With an attention to art and design, the new street draws rave reviews from everyone. To enhance enjoyment of the outdoors, the Clackamas River Trail was completed this fall and winds its way through the Clackamette Cove property, offering beautiful views of the Cove and Clackamas River. Another reconstruction project sure to draw positive reviews is the new Emergency Department and Diagnostic Imaging Center at Oregon City's own Willamette Falls Hospital. Rich history, natural beauty, and a progressive community have found a home In Oregon City. It is the blend of old and new that makes Oregon City such a vibrant place to live, work, and play.