Oregon City in Clackamas County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
George Abernethy's Historical Significance
You are currently standing on Abernethy Green!
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017
1. George Abernethy's Historical Significance Marker
George Abernethy who arrived at Willamette Falls in 1840 by ship, took a land claim that stretched from the Willamette River to Holcomb Hill. The neck of land that followed Abernethy Creek acrosss Green Point became known as Abernethy Green. Oregon Trail emigrants used it to camp out their first winter in Oregon. Abernethy build a house for himself and his wife Anna at the mouth of Abernethy Creek. By 1844 Oregon City was a thriving city at the end of the Oregon Trail. When Abernethy brought the goods that had belonged to the Methodist Mission, Abernethy's store almost immediately became the most important. His business advantage was his system of making change. Since there was no currency in Oregon, every transaction was by barter. Abernethy had found piles of flint shards near his house (which was an old Indian encampment). He wrote the amount of change that was due on a piece of paper, signed it and tied it to a piece of flint. He gave these "Abernethy Rocks" out as change and they rapidly became Oregon's first currency as other stores were forced to honor them.
Erected by Historic Oregon City
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017
2. George Abernethy's Historical Significance Marker
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list.
Location. 45° 21.9′ N, 122° 35.658′ W. Marker is in Oregon City, Oregon, in Clackamas County. Marker can be reached from Washington Street near Abernethy Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1726 Washington Street, Oregon City OR 97045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. End of the Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); Willamette Falls, circa 1880 (within shouting distance of this marker); Abigail Scott Duniway (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing At Tumwater (within shouting distance of this marker); Lot Whitcomb (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthquakes and Mountain Fog (within shouting distance of this marker); Sidney W. Moss (within shouting distance of this marker); Medorem Crawford (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oregon City.
More about this marker. The marker is located near the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center parking lot.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017
3. Abernethy Green
Photographed By Wikipedia
4. George Abernethy
Photographed By Oregon Encyclopedia
5. Abernethy's Store
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
