Welcome to the Oregon Encyclopedia.
Explore Oregon's history and culture — from Athapaskan Indians to Zigzag Ranger Station
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April: National Volunteer Appreciation
Learn about some of Oregon's institutions that rely on the dedication of volunteers.
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Feeling adventurous? How Oregonian of you.
Or may we suggest…
Explore OHS Digital History Projects
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Wayfinder
An interactive map of notable places, people, and events in Oregon history.
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Oregon History Project
The Research Library at the Oregon Historical Society provides direct access to digitized and digital materials as well as narratives from Pacific Northwest historians.
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Oregon TimeWeb
An interactive timeline of archival materials and historical scholarship on the history of Oregon.
This Just In
New Entries
"We could see the top of one hill and think that was the last. But when we gained that, others kept rising before us. To look back, in retreat, seemed utterly out of the question. To look forward was to look directly upwards, as the ascent seemed almost perpendicular." Harriet Hitchcock, 13, 1865, Oregon Trail
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Blanch McBride Virgin Randle (1887–1978)
In 1928, Blanch McBride Virgin became the first woman in the United Sta…
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Bonnie Merrill (1935–2019)
Bonnie Merrill, a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, was a founder and…
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Brownsville
The City of Brownsville (Linn County) is in the southern Willamette Val…
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Helen F. Althaus (1910–2006)
A descendent of Oregon pioneers, Helen Althaus was a pioneer woman lawy…
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Helen Jackson Frye (1930–2011)
Helen J. Frye was the first woman to serve as a judge of the Lane Count…
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Herbert Milton Schwab (1915–2005)
Herb Schwab was the first chief judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, a…
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Mt. Ashland Ski Area
The Mt. Ashland Ski Area, which encompasses over 240 acres of national …
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Siskiyou Mountains in Oregon
Southwestern Oregon’s Siskiyou Mountains, which comprise the largest su…
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Stephen Rogers McCarthy (1943–2023)
An adventurer who took risks in life and in business, Steve McCarthy wa…
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The Northern Great Basin During the Ice Age
During the Ice Age, from about 25,000 to 11,700 years ago, the Northern…
The OE is Green!
Our editorial process is completely paperless — authors and editors use a one-of-a-kind online workshop developed by Portland State University. We've published hundreds of authoritative entries on Oregon history and culture without hurting a single Douglas Fir. Donate your green to The OE and keep us — and the trees — growing.
Additional Funding
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This project has been funded in part by the Oregon Heritage Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust
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This project has been funded in part by an American Rescue Plan Act Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.