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

Willamette Falls Legacy Project

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 19, 2023

1. Willamette Falls Legacy Project Marker

Inscription.

Willamette Falls Legacy Project. . , Willamette Falls is the second-largest waterfall by volume in North America. From time immemorial through today, it has been a gathering place for Native Americans. In the 1800s, it was the birthplace of the Oregon Territory and a center of industrial activity., When the Blue Heron Paper Company closed in 2011, community leaders recognized a unique opportunity to bring new life to this special place. Oregonians have come together to shape the future of the privately owned 22-acre site. Thanks to agreements with the property owner and PGE, public access to Willamette Falls is being designed and built, to provide visitors with spectacular, close up views of the river and falls in historic Oregon City. , The Willamette Falls Legacy Project is a partnership among Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro and the State of Oregon, with participation from property owner Falls Legacy LLC, PGE, and the nonprofit group Rediscover the Falls., Willamette Falls: A Natural Treasure , The Four Core Values, Historic and Cultural Interpretation , The falls drew Native American tribes and early settlers like John McLoughlin, powered industrial activity, and made the first long distance electricity transmission possible. Oregon City was the end of the Oregon Trail and became the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains., Public Access , Future visitors will get a close up view of majestic Willamette Falls. Closed to the public for more than 150 years, the falls are about to be rediscovered as one of the most scenic places in the country. Oregon City's new waterfront will become a four-season destination attracting worldwide tourism., Healthy Habitat , This diverse stretch of the Willamette River provides habitat for migrating salmon, lamprey, and bird species. In the past, unique plants thrived in the mist created by the falls. Protecting this site will help re-establish native plants and wildlife habitat., Economic Development , This site was home to woolen, flour, and paper mills, supporting jobs for over a century. 175 jobs were lost when Blue Heron Paper Mill closed in 2011. The Legacy Project will return part of the site to private development, making downtown a hub for employment, shopping, business, and tourism.

Willamette Falls is the second-largest waterfall by volume in North America. From time immemorial through today, it has been a gathering place for Native Americans. In the 1800s, it was the birthplace of the Oregon Territory and a center of industrial activity.

When the Blue Heron Paper Company closed in 2011, community leaders recognized a unique opportunity to bring new life to this special place. Oregonians have come together to shape the future of the privately owned 22-acre site. Thanks to agreements with the property owner and PGE, public access to Willamette Falls is being designed and built, to provide visitors with spectacular, close up views of the river and falls in historic Oregon City.

The Willamette Falls Legacy Project is a partnership among Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro and the State of Oregon, with participation from property owner Falls Legacy LLC, PGE, and the nonprofit group Rediscover the Falls.

Willamette Falls: A Natural Treasure
The Four Core Values

Historic & Cultural Interpretation
The falls drew Native American tribes and early settlers like John McLoughlin, powered industrial

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activity, and made the first long distance electricity transmission possible. Oregon City was the end of the Oregon Trail and became the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains.

Public Access
Future visitors will get a close up view of majestic Willamette Falls. Closed to the public for more than 150 years, the falls are about to be rediscovered as one of the most scenic places in the country. Oregon City's new waterfront will become a four-season destination attracting worldwide tourism.

Healthy Habitat
This diverse stretch of the Willamette River provides habitat for migrating salmon, lamprey, and bird species. In the past, unique plants thrived in the mist created by the falls. Protecting this site will help re-establish native plants and wildlife habitat.

Economic Development
This site was home to woolen, flour, and paper mills, supporting jobs for over a century. 175 jobs were lost when Blue Heron Paper Mill closed in 2011. The Legacy Project will return part of the site to private development, making downtown a hub for employment, shopping, business, and tourism.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 19, 2023

2. Willamette Falls Legacy Project Marker

The reverse angle of the marker, showing the four core values of the project.

in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2011.

Location. 45° 21.118′ N, 122° 36.857′ W. Marker is in Oregon City, Oregon, in Clackamas County. It is in Canemah. It is on McLoughlin Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 McLoughlin Boulevard, Oregon City OR 97045, 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 walking distance of this marker: Peter Skene Ogden House (here, next to this marker); Oregon City (here, next to this marker); Oregon City Falls (here, next to this marker); Dr. John McLoughlin (within shouting distance of this marker); Larry G. Dahl (within shouting distance of

Willamette Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 19, 2023

3. Willamette Falls

Willamette Falls was the end of the Oregon Trail and the birthplace of the Oregon Territory. It was also the site of mills and industry for more than 100 years.

this marker); Veterans Memorial Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Explosion of Steamer Gazelle (about 800 feet away); John Myers Building (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oregon City.

Willamette Falls and the Birth of Oregon Industry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 19, 2023

4. Willamette Falls and the Birth of Oregon Industry Marker

A wayfinding marker at the site indicates many of the historic buildings that were built on both sides of the falls and river.

Photographed by Pacific Novelty Company of San Francisco, 1905

5. Willamette Falls

This was taken from about 300 feet to the NW of the marker site.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 5. submitted on April 10, 2025. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.