1. Unique Homes and Llama Ownership
Oregon is home to some truly unique residences, including a retired Boeing 757 converted into a private home deep in the woods near Hillsboro. This unusual residence even hosts concerts and festivals on the plane’s wings.
Additionally, Oregon residents own about a quarter of the entire United States’ llama population, with many of these animals living in rural counties like Clackamas. Annual festivals celebrating alpacas and llamas are popular in the region, offering quirky local flair to residents and visitors alike.
2. Portland Was Named by a Coin Toss
The name “Portland” was decided in 1845 by a coin flip between two settlers: Francis Pettygrove from Portland, Maine, and Asa Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts. Pettygrove won, and the city took its name from his hometown. The actual copper coin used for this historic flip is now preserved and displayed at the Oregon Historical Society.
3. Oregon’s “Exploding Whale Day”
A famously bizarre event in Oregon’s history is commemorated annually on November 12th: “Exploding Whale Day.” This quirky holiday marks the 1970 incident when a dead whale washed ashore near Florence, Oregon, and was blown up with explosives to dispose of the carcass. The explosion left a messy but memorable scene and has become a part of local folklore.
4. The Largest Living Organism on Earth
Oregon is home to the colossal honey mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae) located in the Malheur National Forest. This fungal organism spans over 2,300 acres, making it the largest living organism on the planet. Its vast underground mycelium network feeds on tree roots and continues to fascinate scientists and nature lovers alike.
5. Portland’s Underground Shanghai Tunnels
Beneath Portland’s Old Town lies a network of underground tunnels known as the Shanghai Tunnels. Historically, these tunnels were rumored to have been used for kidnapping unsuspecting bar patrons to work on ships against their will in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, spooky tours explore this dark and eerie subterranean past, adding to Portland’s quirky identity.
6. The “Witches Castle” in Portland
Deep in Portland’s Forest Park hiking trails is the abandoned and partially burnt structure known as the Witches Castle. This old ranger station and bathroom has inspired many urban legends and ghost stories due to its creepy appearance and rumored hauntings. It adds an unusual twist to hiking in one of the city’s largest green spaces.
7. Oregon’s No-Self-Service Gas Law Until 2023
Until just recently in 2023, Oregon was one of only two states in the US where it was illegal to pump your own gas. Gas stations employed attendants to fill up vehicles for customers around the clock due to fire safety concerns. This law made Oregon stand out as notably different in everyday practical life, and its repeal was a significant change for residents.
8. The Smallest Park in the World
Portland hosts Mill Ends Park, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s smallest park. This tiny green patch measures just two feet across and contains a single flowerpot. Created from an unused space intended for a light pole, the park has become a beloved quirky landmark embraced by locals and tourists alike.
From peculiar homes and historical oddities to strange holidays and the world’s smallest park, life in Oregon is sprinkled with unexpected quirks that locals learn to cherish. These unusual features reflect the state’s unique character and contribute to the pride Oregonians feel for their unconventional and endlessly fascinating home.
Sources
[1] https://industry.traveloregon.com/newsroom/oregon-fast-facts/
[2] https://www.urbannestpdx.com/life-in-portland/2020/10/30/10-weird-things-you-didnt-know-about-oregon
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tSCak-05u0
[4] https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/oregon
[5] https://aliciamariebriggs.com/the-most-unique-places-in-oregon-that-you-never-knew-existed/
