6 Towns in Oregon that Transport You to the Past
In recent years, Oregon has developed a reputation for embracing the cool and trendy, from the innovative wines of the Willamette Valley to the ever-evolving tech industry in Portland. While Oregon does plenty to earn this cool and trendy reputation, the Beaver State is also a state that’s rich in fascinating history. Once you look beyond the big cities, you can discover small towns with rough-and-tumble mining heritages, folk arts traditions, indigenous culture, and much more. From the verdant Pacific Coast to golden, high-desert expanses, Oregon has quite a few small towns that keep history alive, and they happen to do so in the most interesting ways. So, let’s check out six towns in Oregon that transport you to the past.
McMinnville
When you’re looking to dive into the refined food and wine scene of the Willamette Valley, it’s hard to envision a better starting point than McMinnville (about 41 miles southwest of Portland). Yet when you take a closer look at McMinnville’s historic downtown, you find a town founded in 1844 by folks who traveled west on the Oregon Trail for a better life out here. Landmarks like the (1893) Samuel Cozine House and the (1911) Carnegie Library continue to remind locals and visitors of the town’s past, and even the original (1905) Hotel Oregon, now owned by the popular McMenamins chain of hotels and restaurants, has been beautifully restored to welcome visitors to town and show classic Oregon-style hospitality. For a fuller view of what’s been happening in the area since the early pioneer days, visit the respective tasting rooms for Brittan Vineyards and The Eyrie Vineyards to try some of McMinnville’s most reputable Pinot Noirs (and white wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris) that helped put the Willamette Valley on the prestige wine country map. And for a stylish blend of old and new, book a stay at the Atticus Hotel to enjoy plush luxury in the heart of downtown.
Jacksonville
Nestled in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains about 8 miles southwest of Medford and 168 miles south of Eugene, Jacksonville happens to be one of Oregon’s oldest continually inhabited towns. Following the discovery of gold in the region in 1851, Jacksonville began to grow as a mining town, and local landmarks like the historic (1863) Beekman Bank and the (1876) Beekman House Museum let you step back in time and revisit the heady days of the Oregon Gold Rush. And to understand how Jacksonville got its original name of Table Rock City, head over to the Table Rocks to see mesas rise about 800 feet above the Rogue River Valley floor, remnants of a volcanic eruption that occurred about seven million years ago. To see what’s happened in Jacksonville since the Gold Rush days, visit the Art Presence Art Center to find plenty of striking works by local artists, and check out DANCIN Vineyards for high-quality Rogue River Valley wines alongside tasty farm-to-table fare (especially their pizzas!) and a busy calendar full of cool live music acts. And for wonderfully well-rounded accommodations, the Jacksonville Inn has posh rooms and suites, a great in-house restaurant, and even a wine bar full of fascinating local wines, all housed in a beautifully restored historic structure downtown.
Sisters
With a name like Sisters, it’s easy to assume you’ll be welcomed like family in this town. Fortunately, this high desert town (about 27 miles northwest of Bend and 107 miles east of Eugene) happily welcomes visitors to experience its unique local culture, particularly during major events, like the Sisters Rodeo (held every June) that’s kept the Wild West spirit alive and kicking since 1940. In addition, Sisters hosts the Big Ponderoo (held in June) and Sisters Folk (held in September) Festivals that offer incredible folk music, bluegrass, and other traditional American tunes. And since 1975, Sisters has hosted the world’s largest outdoor show dedicated to quilt artworks, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Beyond the big festivals, there’s plenty more to see and do in and around Sisters. During the summer, you can explore Suttle Lake, which was filled with glacial ice about 25,000 years ago and now offers great conditions for fishing, boating, and camping. During winter, hit Hoodoo Ski Area for up to 1,035 feet of vertical drop and 34 runs for skiers and snowboarders. Once you’re ready to relax after a busy day exploring Sisters, you can enjoy a luxe stay by the lake at The Suttle Lodge, or you can head back to town and opt for the historic (1929) family home turned boutique inn at The Fort Wakefield.
Astoria
Located about 94 miles northwest of Portland, Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city, and it does an amazing job of preserving its long history. At the Columbia River Maritime Museum, you can learn about how the Columbia has shaped Oregon’s history, from the maritime traditions of the Native American tribal communities of the region to the Lightship Columbia floating lighthouse that guided ships to safety during the mid- to late-20th century. For a different side of local history, head to the Oregon Film Museum to see where and how classic movies like "The Goonies" (1985) and "Short Circuit" (1986) were filmed. Finally, at the Flavel House Museum, you can step into a (1884-85) Queen Anne style mansion that lets you explore one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-preserved Victorian era architectural gems. When you’re in the mood to make some of your own history, go to Youngs River Falls to discover a gorgeous waterfall with a 54-foot drop into a pretty natural pool, hike trails where you can spot local wildlife (like bald eagles and black-tailed deer) at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, and hike trails through pristine forests at Lee Wooden Fishhawk Falls Park. When you need to turn in for the night, enjoy the views and all the luxe amenities of the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, where downtown meets the Columbia River.
Cannon Beach
When you reach Cannon Beach, it’s easy to spot one of Oregon’s most iconic natural landmarks. Situated on the Pacific Coast about 79 miles northwest of Portland, Cannon Beach is home to Haystack Rock, a 235-foot tall monolith formed by basaltic lava that flowed here from Eastern Washington at least 15 million years ago. Haystack Rock can best be accessed from the public beach entrance near city hall, and you can stroll the shore and keep your eyes out for colorful tidepools as well. And for even more spectacular coastal scenery and a prime surfing spot at Indian Beach, head north to Ecola State Park. To learn more about Cannon Beach’s history and growth into one of the state’s most famous coastal resort towns, check out the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum and see the Native American Longhouse replica along with some 12,000 local, historic photos in their archives. For deep looks into Cannon Beach’s contemporary arts scene, peruse the Cannon Beach Arts Association, The Modern Villa, and Icefire Glassworks galleries and pick up some cool souvenirs to take home. And if you crave more quality time at the beach, check into the Hallmark Resort & Spa for cozy digs that are mere steps away from the shore.
Joseph
Often called "Oregon's Little Switzerland," the village of Joseph — located around 150 miles southeast of Pasco (Washington) and 240 miles northwest of Boise (Idaho)— may be Eastern Oregon’s best kept secret. If you’d like to find out this town’s backstory, head to the Wallowa County Museum in the First Bank of Joseph building (1888) to review a treasure trove of local artifacts. For an even more spectacular throwback, go to Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site and pay homage to the sacred ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce Tribe, and stay a while to hit the trails and enjoy wondrous views of the Wallowa Mountains and Knight’s Pond. For even more adventures, pop over to Wallowa Lake State Park for summertime fun at the lake (including fishing and boating), as well as trailheads that let you hike into the beautiful mountains of the Eagle Cap Wilderness that gave Joseph its “Little Switzerland” reputation. And for cozy and comfy accommodations by the lake, book a cabin at Wallowa Lake Lodge or Trouthaven Resort.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for towns in Oregon that transport you to the past, the six that we've highlighted here abound in thought-provoking history and so much more. At Joseph, you can experience the unique natural beauty of the Nez Perce Tribe’s ancestral homeland. At Astoria, you can witness the cornerstone of Oregon’s maritime heritage. And at Jacksonville, you can see where Oregon’s mining history intersects with its present-day winemaking excellence. These Oregon towns do a great job of taking you back, yet they also offer plenty to enjoy in the present day.
