A Side Trip to Oregon City
When the first white settlers began crossing the Oregon Trail in the early 1840s, their destination was Oregon City and the fertile Willamette Valley. At the time, Portland had yet to be founded, and Oregon City, set beside powerful Willamette Falls, was the largest town in Oregon. However, with the development of Portland and the shifting of the capital to Salem, Oregon City began to lose its importance. Today it is primarily an industrial town, though one steeped in Oregon history and worth a visit. To get here from downtown Portland, drive south on SW First Avenue and continue on SW Macadam Avenue, which is Ore. 43. Follow this road for roughly 12 miles to reach Oregon City. (It should take 30-45 min.) You can also take I-5 south to I-205 east.
Once in Oregon City, your first stop should be just south of town at the Willamette Falls overlook on Ore. 99E. Though the falls have been much changed by industry over the years, they are still an impressive sight.
