Post Office
The first post office was established in 1848 with Egbert Bennett as the first postmaster.
Fire Department
In 1925, the fire department put their first motor driven fire equipment into use. The cost was $3,000.
Oregon’s First Hotels
The first hotel in Oregon is the EXCHANGE HOTEL, which was built in 1845 on the south side of the square. This business failed and the hotel was then purchased by Richard Chandler. It became known as the CHANDLER HOTEL.
World War I Monument Erected in 1920
The Oregon business community gathered for a group photo when the World War I monument was erected in the village square in 1920.
Oregon’s First Concrete Street in 1923
Did you know? The first concrete street in Oregon was laid in “No-Man’s Land”, also called Copenhagen Street because of the large number of Danes living on the street.
Lake Harriet Ice Cutting
Before refrigerators were common, ice boxes were used. In Oregon, it was Ed and Ernie Culp who would cut ice during the winter months from Lake Harriet, just west of Oregon. The ice was stored in an ice house on the lake. The blocks were packed in sawdust and straw. When summer arrived the village […]
1906 Hitching Park
This is the Hitching Park as it was in 1906 when the hitching park was established and the posts in front of the stores removed.
Powers & Wackman 1895
This building is part of the Charlie’s on Main restaurant. The photo was published in an Oregon Observer Supplement on April 18, 1895.
Railroad History
In the early years, communities along a railway line occasionally witnessed a train wreck or derailment, and the Oregon area was no exception.
Oregon Women’s Club Chorus 1928
OREGON WOMEN’S CLUB CHORUS (1928)