Heritage

HISTORY AT THE END OF THE OREGON TRAIL

Culture runs deep in the rivers and lands of the region. Learn about Mt. Hood Territory’s Native American past and traditions at the Museum of the Oregon Territory.

Discover the Oregon Trail. Walk in the path of past pioneers when you visit sections of the Barlow Road. See stories of their journey and live historical interpreters at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Philip Foster Farm offers a glimpse into what daily life was like back in the 1800s.

Located in the heart of Government Camp, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum is a great starting point to understand the past and present of Mt. Hood life. On your way to Mt. Hood, stop at Sandy for a self-guided historic walking tour or drop by the volunteer-run Sandy Historical Museum.

Other family friendly Oregon historical sites include a ride on the historic Canby Ferry or Oregon City’s outdoor elevator which is the only outdoor municipal elevator remaining in the U.S.

TRIP IDEAS

History Comes To Life

As the official end of the Oregon Trail, Mt. Hood Territory has a storied history which comes to life at our museums and interpretive centers. Last year marked the 175th anniversary of the Oreg...

World of Speed honors the past, looks to future

The World of Speed museum in Wilsonville is an homage to all things fast. Opened for more than three years now, the World of Speed has quickly become a popular stop for old gear heads, racing e...

Play the Oregon Trail game

Time to ramp that nostalgia up to 11, remember the old Oregon Trail game? Now you can play it right here. Game can only be played on PC. Oregon Trail SectionsMissouri to NebraskaWyomi...

Oxen team pulling covered wagon image from Oregon Trail video game framed in a black circle

Modern Pioneers: Elaine Butler and Philip Foster Farm

Imagine you've been walking for months to get to your new home in Oregon. You've traversed hot, dusty plains, crossed rushing rivers and made your way over steep mountains, all while sleeping on the...

Blacksmithing at Philip Foster Farm in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory

Coin Toss Brewing's Tim Hohl is a Modern Pioneer

As communities along the famed Oregon Trail mark the 175th Anniversary of the nation's largest human migration, Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory is highlighting people who are modern day pioneers. These f...

Discover the Oregon Trail Itinerary

In 2018, the pioneer spirit comes alive in Oregon for the 175th commemoration of the Historic Oregon Trail. This famous wagon route, spanning 2,170 miles (3,490 km), was the largest migration in Amer...

Child reenactors grinding corn at Philip Foster Farm on the Barlow Road in Eagle Creek, Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory.

Heritage Trail App marks Oregon Trail's 175th Anniversary

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail and the more than 400,000 people who embarked on the month's long journey to make Oregon their home, and the newest addition to the Mt. Hood...

Mt. Hood Territory Heritage Trail and 175th Commemoration of the Oregon Trail apps on iPhone

175th Anniversary of the Oregon Trail

Growing up in Oregon we learned at a young age about the importance of our home State in our nation's history. In particular, a town just outside of Portland named Oregon City since it is home to the...

Close-up of wooden wagon wheels at Oregon City's End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon's Mount Hood Territory

Take to the new Heritage Trail

There's a lot of history here in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory. We're the end of the Oregon Trail, we had the first newspaper west of the Rockies, first long-distance transmission of electricity, not t...

Historic Stevens-Crawford House in Oregon City with Mt. Hood Territory Heritage Trail signage for phone app tour.

Tour highlights the spooky side of Oregon City

Oregon City is rich with history. It was the final destination for thousands of pioneers who traveled The Oregon Trail. It was the first city incorporated west of The Rockies. It served as the territ...

Rocky Smith, local historian and paranormal investigator leads a group on a night tour of spooky sites in Oregon City.

Experience The Oregon Trail Without Getting Dysentery

The great migration along the Oregon Trail began in 1843, one of history’s most arduous journeys. Thousands of families made their way across the US in search of the promise land. However, once the...

Wooden directional sign at Barlow Pass with a wagon train scene, Barlow road info and mileages to Wamic, Dalles and Maupin

Geocaching - It All Began Here

Code Sheet / Redemption FormOregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is the home of geocaching. Literally, the place where it all began. Back in May of 2000, when Dave Ulmer hid the world’s first...

Hand holding a GPS above a map loading in coordinates to find the location of a hidden geocache in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory

Living history at the End of the Oregon Trail

The pioneer past is literally at your fingertips at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City. In the first of three buildings, you can see and touch many of the goods and...

Close-up of two wooden wagon wheels found at The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City.

The arts draw visitors to Oregon's Mt Hood Territory

While outdoor recreation is a huge draw for Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory, many people come here to take in the cultural tourism assets that make The Territory such a unique destination. The story of O...

Metal waterfall sculptures along Willamette River walkway on McLoughlin Boulevard in Oregon City with Arch Bridge in distance