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50-620: The bridge was dedicated and opened on May 28, 1970, and cost $ 17.1 million to construct. It is named for George Abernethy , who was the governor of the Provisional Government of the Oregon Country from 1845 to 1849 and later an Oregon City businessman. An approximately $ 7 million seismic retrofit began in 2000 and was completed in 2002. In 2008, the average traffic was 95,500 vehicles per day. The bridge structure contains 15 spans and 60 girders. The total length

100-625: A lumber mill . During the 1840s and 1850s it was the destination for those wanting to file land claims after traveling the Oregon Trail as the last stop on the trail. It was the capital of the Oregon Territory from its establishment in 1848 until 1851, and rivaled Portland for early supremacy in the area. In 1846, the city's newspaper, the Oregon Spectator , was the first American newspaper to be published west of

150-559: A $ 300 million gap created by higher construction costs and the cancellation of tolling on I-205. George Abernethy George Abernethy (October 7, 1807 – March 2, 1877) was an American politician, pioneer, notable entrepreneur, and first governor of Oregon under the provisional government based in the Willamette Valley , an area later a part of the American state of Oregon . He traveled to Oregon Country as

200-550: A route between Clackamas Community College on the south east end of Oregon City to Molalla, about 18 miles (29 km) south on Oregon Route 213. Canby Area Transit (CAT) operates regular service on Oregon Route 99E between the Oregon City Transit Center and Canby. SMART , South Metro Area Regional Transit, serving Wilsonville, connects to CAT in Canby. CAT also has service to Woodburn. Dial-a-Ride service

250-733: A secular member of the Methodist mission , where he became involved in politics and helped found the first American newspaper west of the Rocky Mountains. Abernethy was born on October 7, 1807, in New York City to shoemaker William Abernethy and an unidentified mother. He was of Scottish descent . He received his education in New York as well as learning the commercial trade. In 1830, Abernethy married Anne Pope. Missionary Jason Lee recruited Abernethy in 1839 to join him at

300-470: A vent 7.5 miles (12 km) to the southeast in the Boring Lava Field . For many years, Indian trails connected the two levels, but stairs were built in the 19th century. In 1915 the town built the water-powered Oregon City Municipal Elevator to connect the two parts, which was converted to electricity in the 1920s. In 1952, a new electric elevator was constructed with the specification that it

350-496: Is 2,727 feet (831 metres), and the vertical clearance at low river levels is 85 ft (26 m). The longest span is 430 feet (130 m) and is sandwiched by two 300-foot (91 m) spans. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic (three in each direction—two through lanes, and one merging lane). Interchanges are located at each end of the bridge: On the western end (in West Linn ) is an interchange with Oregon Route 43 ; on

400-550: Is along Beavercreek Road, south of Oregon City. Oregon City is served by Portland International Airport , 15 miles (24 km) to the north, and by Portland-Mulino Airport , a general-aviation facility in the town of Mulino , approximately 15 miles (24 km) to the south. The Willamette River in Oregon City is navigable to small craft, and Oregon City has a thriving fishing and recreational boating industry. The Willamette Falls Locks once allowed boats to navigate around

450-494: Is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average temperature throughout the year is 55.4 °F (13.0 °C), with the highest average temperature in July and August being 70.8 °F (21.6 °C), and December being the coldest month with an average temperature of 41.8 °F (5.4 °C). The annual precipitation is 44.81 inches (1,138 mm). It is mainly concentrated in winter (November to March), and

500-483: Is operated by TriMet, but CAT also operates within the Oregon City city limits for trips originating or terminating in the CAT service area. If transfers between TriMet and CAT are necessary, they are accomplished at the Oregon City Transit Center (OCTC) at 11th & Main, which is at the northeast end of the downtown area. As of the census of 2010, there were 31,859 people, 11,973 households, and 8,206 families residing in

550-654: Is served by the Oregon City School District , a public school district consisting of 7 elementary schools , two middle schools , a traditional four-year high school ( Oregon City High School ), and an alternative secondary school. Several schools in the district offer bilingual English / Spanish programs. Oregon City High School is the third most populated high school in Oregon, and is a state and national power in girls' basketball , winning three consecutive USA Today girls' national championships in

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600-878: The Methodist Mission in Oregon Country . He, his wife, and two children joined the Great Reinforcement that sailed on the ship Lausanne around Cape Horn to the Pacific Northwest. Arriving on June 1, 1840, Abernethy was placed in charge as Steward of the Oregon Mission, focusing on the Mission's mercantile business in Oregon City . His specific instructions from the Methodist board requested an annual account of all

650-673: The Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. Known in recent decades as the site of several large paper mills on the Willamette River , the city played a significant role in the early history of the Oregon Country . It was established by Hudson's Bay Company 's Dr. John McLoughlin in 1829 near the confluence of the Clackamas River with the Willamette to take advantage of the power of Willamette Falls to run

700-490: The Rocky Mountains . Oregon City College was established in 1849 as a Baptist school, but was defunct by the 1870s. Oregon City was the site of the Beaver Coins Mint, producing the short-lived independent Oregon Territory currency in 1849. The center of the city retains part of its historic character through the preservation of houses and other buildings from the era of the city's founding. The town became

750-463: The forestry industry, until the decline of the Pacific Northwest lumber industry started in the 1980s. At its height, several mills operated in the city and surrounding communities. The last paper mill in the immediate vicinity closed in 2017. With the growth of the Portland Metro region, Oregon City has become largely a suburb of Portland. Tourism is a growing sector with the emphasis on

800-564: The "Independents" faction which wished to create a Republic of the Pacific . As provisional governor, Abernethy worked to build roads, levied the first property taxes, and sent representatives of the Provisional Government to Washington, D.C., to lobby for official U.S. territorial status. He was reelected in 1847 with the endorsement of the influential Dr. John McLoughlin over Asa Lovejoy , co-founder of Portland. Among

850-748: The 1990s. The city also is the home of Clackamas Community College , numerous private and parochial schools, and a public library that is part of the Library Information Network of Clackamas County . Museums include the Museum of the Oregon Territory and the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, with costumed "living history" guides. The Clackamas County Historical Society archives, housed in

900-626: The Clackamas River, just east of the OR 99E bridge). In more recent years, the city operated a "historic trolley" service during the summer months, primarily to serve the needs of tourism, but the vehicles used were trolley-replica buses , rather than actual trolley cars, and in 2013 it was decided to discontinue that service and sell the vehicles. Two other public agencies provide transit service in Oregon City, supplementing that of TriMet. The South Clackamas Transportation District (SCTD) operates

950-538: The Lyceum. On June 3, 1845, Abernethy was elected to serve as Provisional Governor of the Oregon Country , defeating Osborne Russell , a member of the outgoing Executive Committee . Abernethy and his supporters were American loyalists who believed that the Provisional Government was strictly interim until the question of U.S. and British claims on the Oregon Country were finalized. Russell, however, headed up

1000-552: The Museum of the Oregon Territory, also include the incorporation plat for the city of San Francisco . Clackamas Heritage Partners owns and operates these museums, along with the Stevens Crawford Museum. In 2009, Clackamas Heritage Partners announced that it could no longer afford to keep the museums open. The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center was closed to the public indefinitely in September 2009;

1050-488: The Oregon Territory Act, and appointed General Joseph Lane as the first official territorial governor. Abernethy continued to carry out his duties until Governor Lane arrived at Oregon City March 3, 1849. After leaving office, Abernethy continued doing well in his business. Among other things he served as the Oregon City agent for the pioneer steamer Lot Whitcomb , the first steam-powered vessel built on

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1100-414: The Stevens Crawford Museum and Museum of the Oregon Territory, staffed largely by volunteers, continued to operate on a limited schedule. The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center eventually reopened during the summer of 2013 with the support of grants and donations from numerous sources. The Stevens-Crawford Heritage House Museum is a 1908 structure with 11 furnished rooms; exhibiting furniture from

1150-547: The United States originated in Oregon City in 1889, transmitting electricity 14 miles (23 km) to Portland. Oregon City has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen Csb ). The Mediterranean climate regime resembles the climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, parts of western North America, parts of Western and South Australia, in southwestern South Africa and in parts of central Chile. The climate

1200-748: The Willamette River and the second one built in the entire Oregon Country . Abernethy's assets were destroyed during the flood of 1861 . He moved to Portland shortly after. He died in 1877 at 70 years of age. Abernethy was buried at River View Cemetery . Today, the Abernethy Bridge in Oregon City is named in his honor. The end of the Oregon Trail , also in Oregon City , lies near an area known as Abernethy Green. Several other public works (and natural features such as streams) in Oregon are also named in his honor; though several are given

1250-669: The Willamette River, built in 1922, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places , as is the Oregon City Municipal Elevator . Oregon City has over 22 city parks. One of the city's larger parks is Clackamette Park , at the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers. The park's features include RV camping, a boat launch and dock, a skateboard park, and other recreational facilities. Several community festivals are held there throughout

1300-403: The average family size was 3.06. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. The median income for a household in the city

1350-746: The city's history and the major renovation of the Willamette Falls area into a public-access, mixed-use space through the Willamette Falls Legacy Project. Oregon City is governed by a Mayor and a City Commission composed of the Mayor and four Commissioners elected from the City at large for terms of four years each. Oregon City was the capital of the Oregon Territory until 1851; the following governors served during that time: The city, and several surrounding communities,

1400-426: The city. The population density was 3,520.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,359.2/km ). There were 12,900 housing units at an average density of 1,425.4 per square mile (550.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White , 0.6% African American , 0.9% Native American , 1.7% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 2.3% from other races , and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of

1450-416: The city. The population density was 3,163.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,221.6/km ). There were 10,110 housing units at an average density of 1,242.0 per square mile (479.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 92.44% White, 1.12% Asian, 1.08% Native American, 0.58% African American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 2.15% from other races, and 2.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.98% of

1500-1067: The collection of the Clackamas County Historical Society to replicate an Edwardian era home and Progressive Era narrative. Other historical buildings in Oregon City include the McLoughlin House , the Ermatinger House (oldest in Clackamas County), the Bank of Commerce Building , the Ainsworth House , the Harvey Cross House , the Oregon City Masonic Lodge , and the First Congregational Church . The Oregon City Bridge over

1550-488: The eastern end (in Oregon City) is an interchange with OR 99E . The bridge is somewhat unusual in that its western approach is located on a bluff overlooking the river, whereas the eastern end is located in a lowland just south of the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers; as a result, westbound traffic on I-205 travels uphill the entire length of the bridge, and continues uphill for another half-mile before

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1600-604: The expansion joints on the bridge. In 2017, the Oregon Department of Transportation launched a project to widen I-205 to three lanes between the Abernethy Bridge and Stafford Road. Part of the proposed plan includes removing the Highway 43 to I-205 northbound on-ramp and widening the Abernethy Bridge. The cost of the project increased to $ 600 million in 2024 and required additional funding to cover

1650-572: The falls. The Clackamas River is not navigable, except for the lowermost portions. As part of the greater Portland metropolitan area , Oregon City is served by TriMet , the regional transit authority, with several bus lines which converge at the Oregon City Transit Center . Until 1958, an interurban trolley line operated by the now-defunct Portland Traction Company connected Oregon City with Portland; remnants of this line are still visible (such as an abandoned bridge across

1700-609: The first newspaper (the Oregon Spectator ) in the Oregon Territory and establishing good business relations with the British Hudson's Bay Company . Abernethy was also a member of the Oregon Lyceum in Oregon City. In 1842 he introduced a resolution there to hold off forming an independent country. This was adopted and counter-acted a resolution introduced by Dr. John McLoughlin of the HBC that had earlier been adopted by

1750-600: The freeway summits and heads back downhill, into the lower Tualatin River basin. Construction of a new east–west bridge between West Linn and Oregon City was approved by the Oregon State Highway Commission in January 1964. The proposed bridge was later incorporated into the plans for I-205 in 1965 after it was relocated away from a routing through Lake Oswego . Construction began in early 1968 and

1800-468: The goods, merchandise, clothing, farming and mechanical utensils, the produce of the farms, and the mechanical shops, the stock on the farm at a fair valuation, together with the worth of the houses, barns, mills, and shops, or whatever else may belong to the Mission, and likewise charge to each member of the Mission family the article or articles he or she may take from the store or farms for his or her use ... Among his early accomplishments were establishing

1850-435: The headquarters of the archdiocese was moved there in 1926. In 1928 the name Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon replaced the former name. No longer a residential bishopric, Oregon City is now a titular see . The town is divided into upper and lower areas. The lower area is on a bench next to the Willamette River. The upper area is atop a bluff composed of Canemah basalt , which flowed about 2.5 million years ago from

1900-466: The larger Willamette to the north of the city. The Willamette forms the boundary between Oregon City and West Linn ; the Clackamas serves as the boundary between Oregon City and Gladstone . The Willamette Falls Locks in West Linn were the first multi-lift navigational locks in the United States and are now a National Historical Site, no longer in use. The first long-distance electrical service in

1950-656: The more interesting prerogatives of Abernethy was his solution to the shortage of U.S. currency throughout the territory. He and eight other leading citizens established the Oregon Exchange Company , which became the de facto territorial mint for a short time. The organization minted the now-rare five dollar and ten dollar " Beaver Coins ", making Oregon one of the few U.S. territories to ever mint its own currency. The Abernethy administration technically ended when efforts to gain territorial status came to fruition on August 14, 1848. President James K. Polk signed

2000-442: The population. There were 11,973 households, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

2050-406: The population. There were 9,471 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and

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2100-623: The precipitation in July and August is obviously much less than in other months. In terms of temperature, there are 122 days with temperatures exceeding 70 °F (21 °C) per year, 18 days with temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C), and one high-temperature day exceeding 100 °F (38 °C). However, there is no more than one ice day with the maximum temperature below 32 °F (0 °C) per year. Extreme temperatures range from −2 °F (−19 °C) on January 31, 1950, to 114 °F (46 °C) on June 28, 2021 . For much of its existence, Oregon City's economy has been dominated by

2150-496: The see city of the first Roman Catholic archdiocese in the western United States, when the diocese of Oregon City, established in 1846, was raised to metropolitan rank, with Archbishop François Norbert Blanchet as its ordinary . Its territory included all of the western United States. The population in the area of Oregon City declined due to the California Gold Rush . The population of nearby Portland grew, and

2200-414: The southern parts of Oregon City. The Union Pacific Railroad mainline passes through the city. The city also has an Amtrak station , which is served twice daily in each direction by Amtrak Cascades trains running between Portland and Eugene, Oregon . The Coast Starlight (Seattle–Los Angeles) passes through but does not stop. There are no public airports within the city. A small private airfield

2250-508: The variant spelling of Abernathy . Oregon City, Oregon Oregon City is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon , United States, located on the Willamette River near the southern limits of the Portland metropolitan area . As of the 2020 census , the city population was 37,572. Established in 1829 by the Hudson's Bay Company , in 1844 it became the first U.S. city west of

2300-424: The year. Other major parks include Chapin, Hillendale, Jon Storm Park , Rivercrest, and Wesley Lynn. Interstate 205 passes through the city's northern edge, and is the only freeway to serve the city. In addition, three state highways ( Oregon Route 43 , Oregon Route 99E , and Oregon Route 213 ) pass through or terminate in Oregon City. The former two serve the city's downtown core, the latter provides service to

2350-439: Was $ 45,531, and the median income for a family was $ 51,597. Males had a median income of $ 38,699 versus $ 29,547 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,870. About 6.5% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over. Oregon City has officially recognized neighborhood associations : In addition to John McLoughlin ,

2400-436: Was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 25,754 people, 9,471 households, and 6,667 families residing in

2450-542: Was completed on May 28, 1970, at a cost of $ 17.1 million; it was originally scheduled to open in December 1969. Several West Linn citizens staged an unofficial "opening" on April 1 to jokingly dedicate the bridge as the "West Linn Bridge". The city later changed its seal to include a depiction of the bridge. In 2009, the Oregon Department of Transportation spent $ 7 million to repave the roadway and replace

2500-514: Was to be "as plain as possible and without ornament." According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 9.29 square miles (24.06 km ), of which 9.05 square miles (23.44 km ) is land and 0.24 square miles (0.62 km ) is water. The major waterways of Oregon City include the Willamette River , which flows along the northwest side of the city, and the Clackamas River , which merges with

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