Hillsboro in Washington County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Joseph L. Meek

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 24, 2017

1. Joseph L. Meek Marker

Inscription. This marks the land claim of Joseph L. Meek, famed and unlettered "mountain man," who arrived in 1840 after driving from Fort Hall to Walla Walla in the first wagon on that part of the Oregon Trail. He was a founder of the Provisional Government; served as the first sheriff, the first marshal, the first census taker. He carried word of the Whitman Massacre to Washington D.C., where President Polk, whose wife was his cousin, received him. Named marshal under the New Territorial Government, he accompanied Governor Lane to Oregon. His final Indian fighting was as a soldier in the Yakima War, 1855-56. He died here in 1875. A neighbor called him: "very popular and as brave as Julius Caesar".

Erected by Oregon Travel Experience.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk, and the Oregon Beaver Boards series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 45° 35.058′ N, 122° 58.87′ W. Marker is

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in Hillsboro, Oregon, in Washington County. It is on NorthWest Victory Lane near NorthWest School Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hillsboro OR 97124, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon Wine Country,

in the Willamette Valley,

and in Greater Portland Area.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Log Jail, 1853 (approx. 6.1 miles away); Fort William (approx. 8 miles away); a different marker also named Fort William (approx. 8 miles away); The Medal of Honor (approx. 11.1 miles away); History of Scappoose (approx. 12.4 miles away); Route of Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (approx. 12.4 miles away); Lewis and Clark on the Columbia (approx. 12.4 miles away); Thomas McKay (approx. 12.4 miles away).

More about this marker.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 24, 2017

2. Joseph L. Meek Marker

This marker is located at a small turnout 'sandwiched' between NW Victory Lane and U.S. Highway 26.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 24, 2017

3. Joseph L. Meek Marker

Joseph L. Meek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

4. Joseph L. Meek

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,312 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 9, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.