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

Joseph L. Meek

Born 1810 - Died 1875

Photographed By Kevin W., June 14, 2008

1. Joseph L. Meek Marker

Inscription. Born in Washington Co. Va., Meek leaves home at age 18, arriving in St. Louis in the fall of 1828. Meek signs on as a trapper with the Rocky Mtn. Fur Co., remaining in the Rockies until 1839.

1839 - 1843: Meek travels to the Willamette Valley and eventually starts farming on the "Tualatin Plains".

1843: Early settlers recognize the need to form a governing body in the Oregon Country. They convene at Champoeg in May, 1843. Meek has a pivotal role in establishing an American type of provisionally government. He is appointed Sheriff of the Oregon Country.

1848: Meek accepts the duty of Messenger to Congress. He arrives in Washington D.C. on May 28, 1848, with dispatches concerning conditions in Oregon. Meek is hosted by his cousin, President James Polk. Oregon is admitted as a territory and Joe Meek is commissioned the first U.S. Marshal in the territory.

Erected 1995 by M. Utz.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1843.

Location. 45° 21.472′ N, 122° 36.596′ W. Marker is in Oregon City

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, Oregon, in Clackamas County. Marker is at the intersection of McLoughlin Boulevard (Pacific Highway) (State Highway 99) and 6th Street on McLoughlin Boulevard (Pacific Highway). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 Mcloughlin Blvd, 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. OK Barber Shop (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCald Building (about 500 feet away); Dr. John McLoughlin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eva Emery Dye (approx. 0.2 miles away); McLoughlin House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Forbes Barclay (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oregon City Falls (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oregon City.

Regarding Joseph L. Meek. Joseph Lafayette "Joe" Meek was born in Washington County, Virginia, and died in Washington County, Oregon. He is quoted as saying, "I want to live long enough to see Oregon securely American... so I can say that I was born in Washington County, United States, and died in Washington County, United States."

Also see . . . Joseph Lafayette Meek. Acclaimed as a storyteller and intrepid adventurer during his lifetime, Joe Meek was a witness to the West's transformation from a wilderness for mountain men into a region where
Photographed By Kevin W., June 14, 2008

2. Joseph L. Meek Marker
social conformity was increasingly the rule. (Submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed By Kevin W., June 14, 2008

3. Joseph L. Meek Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,798 times since then and 57 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 3, 2011. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.