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
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 provisional 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,
this page online
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: John Myers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); OK Barber Shop (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCald Building (about 500 feet away); McLoughlin Promenade (about 600 feet away); Oregon City Municipal Passenger Elevator (1954) (about 600 feet away); Dr. John McLoughlin (approx.
Photographed by Kevin W., June 14, 2008
2. Joseph L. Meek Marker
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 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 February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,385 times since then and 42 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.
