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Oregon History
When did Oregon decide to become a USA territory rather than an appendage of Canada? I decided to visit the location of the deciding vote.
Champoeg Park is on the Willamette River about 20 miles south of Portland.
I began by taking a short loop to the west along the River. After returning to an historical pavilion where the historical 52-50 vote occurred in 1843, I hiked easterly on a cinder path, which soon turned to a paved lane along the River.
After a detour to an 1845 pioneer woman’s gravesite, I explored a nature hike loop.
Then began the two-mile trek behind La Butte to Butteville, a scenic little town on the Willamette River. After taking a break at the Butteville Store, originally opened in 1863, I began the return to the Trailhead.
A very pleasant 8 1/2-mile hike indeed.

The flood of 1861 convinced the town at Champoeg to move to a higher elevation

Dragon on the move (Rough-skinned Newt)

A muddy Willamette River

The Butteville Store is closed during the winter months

A pioneer woman’s gravesite

The Decision

Pioneer Memorial Building
Very interesting, John. I enjoyed the addition of a bit of history. Sandy
Thanks Sandy.
8.5 miles that hike is not joke! very cool photos is the Willamette that muddy very often??
Yes, the Willamette is muddy often in late winter and spring. Melting snow and heavy rains will do it every time.
Love the history that was included here. I had to go look up the information regarding Kitty. Love the beautiful tree and the markers for the floods on it. These pictures make me yearn to know more about the area and its history.
I enjoy taking hikes through history. It always adds to the experience.
That is why I also like to traipse through Rome and Germany, too. Every corner, there is history staring you in the face. Rome can’t seem to get their subway system built better because they are always running into archaeological sites. 🙂 When we were in Seattle, we did the Underground City tour and that was pretty fascinating.
We are all walking on the footsteps of our ancestors.