Historic Places & Museums

Historic Oregon City-Francis Ermatinger HouseOregon City is the first incorporated city west of the Rockies. Established in 1829 by Dr. John McLoughlin as a lumber mill near Willamette Falls, it was later designated as Oregon's territorial capital. Visiting its many museums and historical buildings allows you a glimpse of pioneer life in Oregon territory.

Places of Interest

  • The Museum of the Oregon Territory, which overlooks Willamette Falls and the Willamette River, has extensive exhibits of Clackamas County history documented in photographs and artifacts. Displays follow a timeline from Indian times through fur traders, pioneers, and merchants. Additional exhibits include one on America's first long-distance electric transmission, which was from Willamette Falls, and an immigrant wagon fully loaded for the Oregon Trail.
  • The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located on Abernethy Green, at a site often identified as the end of the Barlow Road portion of the Oregon Trail. Visitors are guided by a living history interpreter, who brings alive the journey from Missouri to Oregon through dramatization and storytelling. Things to see include artifacts from pioneer days, a video presentation, and a gift shop.
  • The Stevens Crawford House is located in a 1908 classical Foursquare-style house. It was owned by the original family until 1968 and much of the period furniture is still kept in the house. There are 15 furnished rooms, including a working kitchen, living room, bedrooms, dining room, and a doll collection. There is also a museum area that features displays of souvenir plates, children's toys, and Indian baskets.
  • Located within easy driving distance of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center are several points of historic interest. Up the hill on Center Street, you'll find the house of John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon, or you can hop on the Oregon City Trolley and take a ride to the Clackamas County Museum of History. A map of historic resources can be viewed to see the locally designated historic resources in Oregon City.