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Oregon State Capitol

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State Capitol:
In 1819 Spain ceded Florida to the United States and all claims to the Oregon Territory. The southern boundary of this territory was established as the 42nd parallel. In 1846 Great Britain and the U.S. agree to divide the Oregon Country at the 49th parallel; in 1848 the Oregon Country is made a U.S. territory. This territory was divided in 1853 with the Oregon Territory south of the Columbia River and the Washington Territory to the north. In 1859 Oregon becomes the 33rd state.
Oregon has had three capitols; the first two were destroyed by fire. The current capitol was completed in 1938 and is the fourth newest capitol in the nation. The Capitol "Wings" Project was completed in 1977 and added further space for legislative offices, hearing rooms, support services, a first floor galleria, and underground parking.
View of Capitol from Capitol Mall overlooking the Capitol Fountain, which has been turned off for the winter months.
The Oregon Pioneer
The Oregon Pioneer statue that tops the building is a work by Ulric Ellerhusen. This heroic figure represents the spirit of Oregon's early settlers. Cast in bronze and finished in gold leaf, it weighs 8.5 tons and is hollow inside. The base of the 23-foot high statue is 140 feet above the ground.
Lewis and Clark Led by Sacajawea :
This sculpture by Leo Friedlander is on the east side of the Capitol's entrance. On the reverse is a map of their route.
The Covered Wagon :
This sculpture is also by Leo Friedlander and is on the west side of the Capitol's entrance. A map of the Oregon Trail is on the reverse.
Governor's Office
Governors are elected by popular ballot and serve terms of four years, limited to two consecutive terms in office, with no limit on the number of total terms. The governor must be a U.S. citizen, at least 30 years old, and a resident of Oregon for at least three years before the candidate's election.
The legislature consists of 60 representatives and 30 senators.
The Supreme Court is composed of seven elected justices, each of whom serves a six-year term
Fireplace in Governor's Ceremonial Room
Above the fireplace is a map of Oregon's geography; it is the work of Barry Faulkner. The ceremonial office is used frequently for art exhibits.
Old Columns
These columns were part of the previous Capitol. It burned in 1935.
Dr. John McLoughlin (1784-1857)
First to govern to Oregon Country (1824-1843).
McLoughlin was the Chief Factor of the Columbia Fur District of the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. He was later known as the "Father of Oregon" for his role in assisting the American cause in the Oregon Country in the Pacific Northwest. In the late 1840s his general store in Oregon City was famous as the last stop on the Oregon Trail.
The Circuit Rider
Engraved in base: Commemorating the labors and achievements of the ministers of the Gospel, who as circuit riders became the friends, counselors and evangels to the pioneers on every American frontier.
A circuit (nowadays referred to as a charge) was a geographical area that encompassed two or more local churches. Local pastors met with their bishops annually for appointment to either a new circuit or remain at the same one. Once a pastor was assigned a circuit, it was his responsibility to visit each church in his charge at least once a year in addition to possibly erecting new churches. Because of the distance between churches, these preachers would ride on horseback. They were called circuit riders or saddlebag preachers.

Liberty Bell Replica
The United States Department of the Treasury selected a foundry in France to cast 55 full-sized replicas of the Liberty Bell. States and territories of the United States each received a bell as a gift to be displayed and rung on special occasions.
Oregon's Replica of the Liberty Bell is in front of the Capitol's West Wing.
Capitol Beaver Family
Sculptor: Kenneth H. Scott
Presented to the Citizens of the State of Oregon
by the Williamette Christmas Association
June 1985
Oregon is called "The Beaver State" because of the association of beavers with the early history of the state and because of the admirable qualities of intelligence, industry, and ingenuity that are associated with this animal.
The State flag has a beaver on the reverse side.
Parade of Animals
Wilson Park is just west of the Capitol. This is a sculpture in the park and was designed as a play structure. It was created in 1991.

(Click HERE to return to list of states)

State Capitol: In 1819 Spain ceded Florida to the United States and all claims to the Oregon Territory. The southern boundary of this territory was established as the 42nd parallel. In 1846 Great Britain and the U.S. agree to divide the Oregon Country at the 49th parallel; in 1848 the Oregon Country is made a U.S. territory. This territory was divided in 1853 with the Oregon Territory south of the Columbia River and the Washington Territory to the north. In 1859 Oregon becomes the 33rd state. Oregon has had three capitols; the first two were destroyed by fire. The current capitol was completed in 1938 and is the fourth newest capitol in the nation. The Capitol "Wings" Project was completed in 1977 and added further space for legislative offices, hearing rooms, support services, a first floor galleria, and underground parking. View of Capitol from Capitol Mall overlooking the Capitol Fountain, which has been turned off for the winter months.
The Oregon Pioneer The Oregon Pioneer statue that tops the building is a work by Ulric Ellerhusen. This heroic figure represents the spirit of Oregon's early settlers. Cast in bronze and finished in gold leaf, it weighs 8.5 tons and is hollow inside. The base of the 23-foot high statue is 140 feet above the ground.
Lewis and Clark Led by Sacajawea : This sculpture by Leo Friedlander is on the east side of the Capitol's entrance. On the reverse is a map of their route.
The Covered Wagon : This sculpture is also by Leo Friedlander and is on the west side of the Capitol's entrance. A map of the Oregon Trail is on the reverse.
Governor's Office Governors are elected by popular ballot and serve terms of four years, limited to two consecutive terms in office, with no limit on the number of total terms. The governor must be a U.S. citizen, at least 30 years old, and a resident of Oregon for at least three years before the candidate's election. The legislature consists of 60 representatives and 30 senators. The Supreme Court is composed of seven elected justices, each of whom serves a six-year term
Fireplace in Governor's Ceremonial Room Above the fireplace is a map of Oregon's geography; it is the work of Barry Faulkner. The ceremonial office is used frequently for art exhibits.
Old Columns These columns were part of the previous Capitol. It burned in 1935.
Dr. John McLoughlin (1784-1857) First to govern to Oregon Country (1824-1843). McLoughlin was the Chief Factor of the Columbia Fur District of the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. He was later known as the "Father of Oregon" for his role in assisting the American cause in the Oregon Country in the Pacific Northwest. In the late 1840s his general store in Oregon City was famous as the last stop on the Oregon Trail.
The Circuit Rider Engraved in base: Commemorating the labors and achievements of the ministers of the Gospel, who as circuit riders became the friends, counselors and evangels to the pioneers on every American frontier. A circuit (nowadays referred to as a charge) was a geographical area that encompassed two or more local churches. Local pastors met with their bishops annually for appointment to either a new circuit or remain at the same one. Once a pastor was assigned a circuit, it was his responsibility to visit each church in his charge at least once a year in addition to possibly erecting new churches. Because of the distance between churches, these preachers would ride on horseback. They were called circuit riders or saddlebag preachers.
Liberty Bell Replica The United States Department of the Treasury selected a foundry in France to cast 55 full-sized replicas of the Liberty Bell. States and territories of the United States each received a bell as a gift to be displayed and rung on special occasions. Oregon's Replica of the Liberty Bell is in front of the Capitol's West Wing.
Capitol Beaver Family Sculptor: Kenneth H. Scott Presented to the Citizens of the State of Oregon by the Williamette Christmas Association June 1985 Oregon is called "The Beaver State" because of the association of beavers with the early history of the state and because of the admirable qualities of intelligence, industry, and ingenuity that are associated with this animal. The State flag has a beaver on the reverse side.
Parade of Animals Wilson Park is just west of the Capitol. This is a sculpture in the park and was designed as a play structure. It was created in 1991.