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State
Flag
The Oregon State
Flag is the only state flag displaying different images on each
side. |
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The
Chinook salmon, (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) the largest
of the Pacific salmons, was declared the state fish in 1961. |
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Pseudotsuga
menziesii, the Douglas Fir, was declared the state tree
in 1939, and is the source of most of Oregon's softwood lumber
production. |
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Castor
canadensis, the American Beaver, was named the Oregon
state animal in 1969. Oregon is also known as "The Beaver
State". |
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The
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen as
Oregon's state bird by Oregon's school children in a poll sponsored
by the Audubon Society in 1927. The Western Meadowlark is known
for its beautiful song. |
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The
native Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius) was designated
the state insect in 1979. The Oregon Swallowtail lives mainly
in the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its
tributaries. |
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In
1899, Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) was declared
the Oregon state flower by the Legislature. The plant, with
its holly like foliage and yellow flowers can be found mainly
on the Pacific Coast. |
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The
Oregon sunstone is the official state gemstone. The large,
brightly colored stone in the feldspar family is found in southeastern
Oregon counties.
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The
Thunderegg is the official state rock. These geodes contain
minerals of many different colors and/or crystals, and are popular
items to cut and polish to reveal the beautiful designs inside.
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Milk
was selected in 1997 as the state beverage. The legislature
recognized that milk production and the manufacture of dairy
products are major contributors to the economic well-being of
Oregon agriculture.
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Oregon's deepest gorge
is the Hell's Canyon - 7,900 feet. It's located between Oregon
and Idaho on the Snake River.
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Official
State Dance: Square Dance
The pioneer origins of the dance and the characteristic dress
are deemed to reflect Oregon’s heritage; the lively spirit
of the dance exemplifies the friendly, free nature and enthusiasm
that are a part of the Oregon Character. |
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The
hazelnut (Corylus avellana) was named state nut by the
1989 Legislature. Oregon grows 99 percent of the entire U.S.
commercial crop. The Oregon hazelnut, unlike wild varieties,
grows on single-trunked trees up to 30 or 40 feet tall. |
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In
1848, a conchologist (shell expert) named Redfield named the
Fusitriton oregonensis after the Oregon Territory. Commonly
called the Oregon hairy triton, the shell is one of the largest
found in the state, reaching lengths up to five inches.
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The
official state mushroom of Oregon is the Pacific golden chanterelle. |
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The
1957 Legislature bestowed upon Dr.
John McLoughlin the honorary title of “Father
of Oregon” in recognition of his great contributions
to the early development of the Oregon Country. Dr. McLoughlin
originally came to the Northwest region in 1824. |
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Honored
by the 1987 Legislature as Mother of Oregon, Tabitha Moffatt
Brown “represents the distinctive pioneer heritage
and the charitable and compassionate nature of Oregon’s
people.” At 66 years of age, she financed her own wagon
for the trip from Missouri to Oregon. |
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