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The City of Portland, Oregon

Nick Fish (In Memoriam)

City of Portland Commissioner

phone: 503-823-3589

Email: nick@portlandoregon.gov

1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240, Portland, OR 97204

Happy Birthday, Oregon!

February 14, 2012

By David Nguyen

Did you know? We all know that today is Valentine’s Day, but it's also the great state of Oregon’s 153rd birthday! On this day in 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state of the United States.

Here are a few fun facts about our wonderful state:

Oregon's state flag pictures a beaver on its reverse side. It is the only state flag to carry two separate designs.

Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state.

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and is formed in the remains of an ancient volcano.

We are the only state with an official nut - the filbert.

The nation's most photographed lighthouse is the Heceta Head Lighthouse, in Lane County.

In 1905 the largest long cabin in the world was built in Portland to honor the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.