Small Town Beauty in Oregon

Small towns in the Beaver State

By Rasma RaistersPublished about 15 hours ago • 3 min read

Cannon Beach whale

Originally inhabited by the Shasta people, Ashland is located in the Rogue Valley, just across the California border. Trappers from the Hudson Bay Company found it while traveling the Siskiyou Trail. There are lots of stores and galleries in the town.

Visit the Grizzly Peak Winery for some wine tasting.

At the mouth of the Columbia River is Astoria. Fort Astoria was founded by John Astor of the American Fur Company, and the community of Astoria grew up around it.

Explorers Lewis and Clark came to this area while exploring the Pacific Northwest. You can enjoy the Lewis and Clark National and State Historic Parks.

Enjoy a hike to Young River Falls.

Accommodations are available at the Cannery Pier Hotel with awesome views of the Columbia River.

Named for the only US senator killed in battle while spearheading the Union charge at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in the American Civil War, Edward Baker. After the railroad was built, Baker City prospered.

You can learn about the Oregon Trail at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Take a scenic trip on the Sumpter Valley Railway.

Enjoy a pint at the Baker City Brewing Company.

One of the leaders of the expedition, William Clark, was the first American to arrive in this region. During their winter exploration, the company stopped at Fort Clatsop and arrived at what is now known as Clark’s Point of View, a vantage that has a complete view of the ocean. Today, Cannon Beach is located here. Additionally, it is the location where Clark and Sacagawea exchanged whale blubber with the indigenous Tillamook people. A wooden sculpture of a whale that honors the trade is on display. (pictured above)

Enjoy the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Have some rum at the Cannon Beach Distillery

Accommodations at the Stephanie Inn

Formerly named Calapooya, after the Kalapuya Native Americans, Brownsville stretches along the Calapooia River. The town was featured in the popular film “Stand by Me.”

Enjoy the wines at Harper's Wine House

Named after a lovely Italian city, Florence has a beautiful coastline along the Pacific Ocean and on the banks of the Siuslaw River.

Enjoy exploring the Sea Lion Caves home to the Steller sea lions

Enjoy the Heceta Head Lighthouse

The historic Siuslaw River Bridge

The port town of Hood River is located on the Columbia River. It was established in the late 1800s in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge.

Enjoy the views at Mount Hood

Have some wine at the Marchesi Vineyards

Get accommodations at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel.

One of the earliest gold claims in the region was Jackson Creek, which has the same name as the town of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Historic District has been named a National Historic Landmark. When immigrants from San Francisco moved north and settled in Oregon, the first Chinatown in the state was established here.

Find accommodations at the Touvelle House Bed and Breakfast.

Joseph is known as “Oregon’s Little Switzerland” and was named after Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe. Founded in 1883 based on agriculture and stock, the railroad brought the town lumber mills. Today the town relies on bronze foundries and tourism.

Enjoy nature at Wallowa Lake State Park

Take the tram to enjoy the views

Accommodations at Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast

Originally called Linkville, Klamath Falls is located in the region that was inhabited by the Klamath and Modoc Native Americans.

The Klamath Basin became part of the Oregon Trail.

Take a hike along the OC&E Woods Line State Trail.

Take a boat out on the Link River

Get accommodations at Thompson’s Bed and Breakfast

Located on the 101—the highway that runs through town—Newport is a coastal town established in 1882. It is the base for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that researches ships and the Hatfield Marine Science Center.