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| Oregon Facts for School Reports - More Symbols |
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State Flag: Navy blue field with gold shield on front and gold beaver on reverse.
Below the shield, which is part of the state seal, is written "1859," the year of Oregon's admission to the union as the 33rd state.
State Name: Historians say Oregon was most likely named after one of two rivers. The Columbia River, which forms a coastline along the northern border, was at one time called the Oregon or Ouragan, which is French for hurricane. Others believe the name was derived from a mapmaker's error in the 1700s. The Wisconsin River was named the Ouisconsink and was picked up by travelers referring to the country west of the Great Lakes as Ourigan.
State Capital: Salem, established in 1854
State Motto: In 1987 the Oregon Legislature voted in "She Flies With Her Own Wings" to replace
Former Motto: "The Union."
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Oregon state animal: American Beaver
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State Animal: The American Beaver
The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) was named Oregon state animal by the 1969 Legislature. Prized for its fur, the beaver was overtrapped by early settlers and eliminated from much of its original range. Through proper management and partial protection, the beaver has been reestablished in watercourses throughout the state and remains an important economic asset.
The beaver has been referred to as “nature’s engineer,” and its dam-building activities are important to natural water flow and erosion control. Oregon is known as the “Beaver State” and Oregon State University’s athletic teams are called the “Beavers.”
State Nickname: Beaver State
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Oregon state fish: Chinook Salmon
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State Fish: Chinook Salmon
Also known as Spring, King and Tyee Salmon, the Chinook Salmon is the largest of the Pacific salmons and the most highly prized for the fresh fish trade. Declared the state fish by the 1961 Oregon Legislature, the Chinook Salmon is found from southern California to the Canadian Arctic. Record catches of 53 inches and 126 pounds have been reported.
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Oregon state flower: Oregon Grape
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State Flower: Oregon Grape
A low growing plant, the Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast and found sparsely east of the Cascades. Its year-round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly. The plant bears dainty yellow flowers in early summer and a dark blue berry that ripens late in the fall. The fruit can be used in cooking.
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Oregon state tree: Douglas Fir
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State Tree: Douglas Fir
The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) was named for David Douglas, a 19th century Scottish botanist, was designated Oregon's state tree in 1939. Great strength, stiffness and moderate weight make it an invaluable timber product said to be stronger than concrete.
Averaging up to 200' in height and six feet in diameter, Douglas Firs with heights of 325' and diameters of 15' also can be found.
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Oregon state nut: Hazelnut
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State Nut: Hazelnut
Oregon grows 99 percent of the entire US commercial crop of Hazelnuts. The Oregon Hazelnut, unlike wild varieties, grows on single-trunked trees up to 30 or 40 feet tall. Adding a unique texture and flavor to recipes and products, Hazelnuts are preferred by chefs, bakers, confectioners, food manufacturers and homemakers worldwide.
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State Fruit: Pear
The legislature designated the pear (Pyrus communis) as Oregon's official fruit by resolution in 2005. Oregon produces a variety of pears, including Comice, Anjou, Bosc, and Bartlett.
The pear ranks as the top-selling tree fruit crop in the state and grows particularly well in the Rogue River Valley and along the Columbia River near Mt. Hood.
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Oregon state beverage: Milk
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State Beverage: Milk
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. Tillamook County has long been known for its dairy farms and now Morrow County has seen growth in the number and size of its dairy operations.
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