Near St. Paul in Marion County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Champoeg
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017
1. Champoeg Marker
This area, once named tchampuick, the 'place of yampah' was the traditional homeland of the Tualatin Kalapuya tribe. Fur trappers first arrived here by canoe in 1811, and they found lush open prairies bordering the Willamette River. In 1830, French-Canadians retiring from the Hudson's Bay Company and their Indian wives began farms and raised families near here. Champoeg soon became a shipping and commercial center. In 1851, local tribes and the U.S. government negotiated six treaties at this location; all went unratified by Congress. A thriving town existed here until the flood of 1861 swept away all the buildings. It is also the memorial site of the May 2, 1843, meeting of the "inhabitants of the Willamette settlements" who formed a provisional government, the first American government on the Pacific coast.
Erected by Oregon State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 2, 1843.
Location. 45° 15.337′ N, 122° 54.237′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Oregon Wine Country and in the Willamette Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hoover - Minthorn House (approx. 4.4 miles away); The Most Reverend F. N. Blanchet (approx. 4.6 miles away); St. Paul Roman Catholic Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Boone's Ferry (approx. 6.4 miles away); Grove of the States (approx. 6.4 miles away); Boones Landing (approx. 6.8 miles away); Tauchman House (approx. 6.8 miles away); Site of Bill Flynns Saloon (approx. 6.8 miles
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 25, 2017
2. Champoeg Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Willamette Post (was approx. 2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This marker is located in the northwest corner of Champoeg State Park.
Also see . . .
1. Champoeg, Oregon. Champoeg is best known as the site of a series of meetings held in the town during the 1840s.... They ... considered measures to deal with problem of wolves menacing their settlements. It was to be the first in a series of "Wolf Meetings" at the town site that would establish the basis of civil codes. (Submitted on February 23, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. Oregon Travel Experience - Audio Tour Stop. The official 'Beaver Board' website for Oregon State Historical Markers (Submitted on February 23, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
