Wilsonville in Clackamas County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Grove of the States

Oregon Heritage Tree Site

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, December 5, 2018

1. Grove of the States Marker

Inscription. The Grove of the States includes a tree representing each state in the USA and the District of Columbia. The idea for the Grove of the States was conceived by Oregon Attorney General Robert Y. Thornton to honor the passage of Lady Bird Jonson's 1965 Highway Beautification Act.

Attorneys General at Work
Attorney General Thornton worked with local nurseries and the Oregon Highway Department (now Oregon Department of Transportation) to plant a tree for each state in the USA. On August 28, 1967, Attorneys General from across the US came to the dedication of the Groves of the States as part of the National Association of Attorneys General Conference in Portland.

Restoration Project
The original grove planting did not allow sufficient room for the trees to grow, which lead to overcrowding and health problems. In 2016, a volunteer group began a restoration project to save the Grove of the States ahead of its 50th Anniversary. The footprint was more than doubled to approximately 2.5 acres. The Grove was designated as Oregon Heritage Trees on August 28, 2017.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 28, 1967.

Location. 45° 16.506′

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N, 122° 46.505′ W. Marker is in Wilsonville, Oregon, in Clackamas County. It can be reached from US Interstate 5 South (U.S. 5). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilsonville OR 97070, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boone's Ferry (approx. ¼ mile away); Tauchman House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Boone’s Landing (approx. 1.3 miles away); Site of Bill Flynn’s Saloon (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Cottage Hotel (approx. 1.6 miles away); Norris Young Machine Shop (approx. 1.6 miles away); Drug Store and Lodge Hall (approx. 1.6 miles away); Site of the Train Depot (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilsonville.

More about this marker. Marker located within the southbound French Prairie Rest Area.

Oregon's Heritage Tree (Douglas Fir) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, December 5, 2018

2. Oregon's Heritage Tree (Douglas Fir)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, December 5, 2018

3. Grove of the States Marker

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, December 5, 2018

4. Grove of the States Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.