Oregon gained a distinction in 1912 when the Southern Pacific Railroad became one of the few railroads in the nation to convert branch steam railroad …

Oregon Encyclopedia

Southwestern Oregon Community College (formerly SWOCC, now SOCC) in Coos Bay is the oldest community college in Oregon. It was formed in a tax district …

Oregon Encyclopedia

The Sparta Ditch, a thirty-two-mile-long irrigation ditch straddling the Union-Baker County line, was built in 1871 to facilitate gold mining in that area. The ditch …

Oregon Encyclopedia

Spirit Mountain, whose Yamel (Yamhill) Kalapuya name is dji’ntu, is a sacred site to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Rising to 1,759 feet, …

Oregon Encyclopedia

Long before the natural foods movement went mainstream, Springfield Creamery found its niche there, with its signature brand, Nancy’s Yogurt, made with milk from local …

Oregon Encyclopedia

The Springwater Corridor is a 21-mile-long recreational trail stretching from the Willamette River through southeast Portland and Gresham to the town of Boring. The …

Oregon Encyclopedia

In 1918, during World War I, almost thirty thousand U.S. soldiers were assigned to the Spruce Production Division (SPD) as part of the federal Loyal …

Oregon Encyclopedia

St. Helens is a Columbia River town located eighty-six river miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia County seat since 1857, the city is at …

Oregon Encyclopedia

St. John the Apostle, a Roman Catholic parish in Oregon City, was founded in 1844, more than a decade before Oregon attained statehood. One of …

Oregon Encyclopedia

St. Mary’s Academy in downtown Portland is a Roman Catholic high school directed by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. It …

Oregon Encyclopedia