Oregon is more than a place— it's a source of inspiration, a setting for adventure, and a journey of discovery.
Share your Oregon Story now.
Check out our interview questions to jump-start your thoughts, or read through our toolkit to see just what we're looking for.
Shared with Oregon 150 at the 2009 Oregon State Fair
Clay Dement
Salem, OR
Clay Dement’s Oregon Story
Shared with Oregon 150 at the 2009 Oregon State Fair
Clay Fox
Rickerall, OR
Clay Fox’s Oregon Story
by Dena Hart
Vancouver, WA
I was born and raised primarily in Bend, Oregon. Even as a child I knew I was living a special place. We lived on the outskirts of town on some land. I used to love walking to the airport when I was little, lay on my back, and watch [...]
by Jen Walker
Junction City, OR
Even as a small child who had never been anywhere else, I knew I was lucky to live here. I grew up chasing my brother on deer trails in the woods, exploring anonymous creeks, barking at sea lions. I was lucky enough to live in the Valley, with a Grandpa at [...]
by Jackie Heifner
Portland, OR
Spring time brings back memories of the hog lines on the Willamette. Getting up in the morning while it was still pitch black so we could find the best spot to anchor. Packing the cooler and the herring. The smell of two stroke oil as the motor started up. [...]
by Thurston Ohman
Gresham, OR
The year was 1948. I had been born in Portland, but my father had just been hired to work in the shipyard in Bremerton, WA. Because WWII had ended and the need for workers was dropping, my parents decided to move back to Portland. My father got a summer [...]
by Constance Spiegel
Sherwood, OR
Two boys and five adults afloat on a wide green river, as beautiful and exotic as its Indian name: Umpqua. Their trip took them from Roseburg to Gardiner, some eighty miles over many rapids—notably, Sawyer’s Rapids at Scottsburg, and on from there to the once bustling town of Gardiner, on the [...]
by Ken V. Thomas
St. Helens, OR
After school let out, early summer in St. Helens Oregon, there were three things we could count on as 15 year olds: Picking Luttrell strawberries for money, Swimming the Columbia River to Sand Island and walking through the St. Helens city library doors brandishing a library card.
Every Oregon child [...]
by Terra
Milwaukie, OR
Walking home from school one day in the 3rd grade, my sister and I jumped into the deep rain puddles, splashing dirty water all over our clothes and giggling. Oregon was the perfect place for me; I loved the rain. I adored it. I had always found the rain to be soothing, the [...]
by Jacqueline Potter
Portland, OR
In the 1960s, the month of May meant school would soon be out. It also meant the berry farmers of Oregon would be coming to my school to entice students to pick berries during the summer. It was exciting to watch the reel to reel promotional movie of kids like myself, picking [...]
