In the early years of Oregon’s towns and cities, growth often created problems for residents, and communities had to come up with solutions that would make them more livable for everyone. In Oregon City, an access problem from one part of town to the other eventually resulted in the installation of an elevator, and it’s the only one of its kind in the country. Keep reading to learn more about this quirky, fascinating story.

Oregon City was founded in 1844. Nestled on the banks of the Willamette, the town slowly grew, adding more homes and buildings up on the bluff above.
Oregon City - City Hall
Back then, people used old Native American trails to reach the upper part of town. Later, a staircase was carved into the side of the bluff, but it required residents to traverse 722 steps. It was quite a workout!
In 1912, residents passed a bond for $12,000 to construct the country's first municipal elevator, but its construction was not without conflict.
Library of Congress
People disagreed about where the elevator should be placed, and once a site was chosen, the owner of the property at the top of the bluff didn't want it in her front yard. The issue went all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, and the city won...but then there was a fight about how the elevator would be powered.

The city's commissioners wanted to use water power, but the City Water Board refused, arguing that the diversion of water power would lead to loss of water pressure. The commission solved the problem by replacing the members of the Water Board with people from the City Commission, and they got their hydraulic-powered elevator.
When the elevator opened to the public on November 27, 1915, pretty much everyone in town took a ride, but it took as long as five full minutes to travel just 89 feet to the top.
Clackamas County Historic Society/flickr
As the Water Board had warned, the hydraulic system was rife with problems. Sometimes, the elevator just stopped working. If passengers were onboard when that happened, they had to crawl out of a trapdoor on the roof and climb down a ladder. When the elevator was working, residents suffered from very low water pressure.
In 1924, the elevator's operating system was changed to electricity, which shortened the ride to just 30 seconds, but the elevator still kept breaking down.
management/Tripadvisor
The city started to look into replacing the elevator in the early 1950s, but the bids were all too high. In 1954, Stevens and Thompson submitted a bid that was tens of thousands of dollars lower than bids from the previous years, and it was accepted. The new elevator was completed in 1955, and it was a vast improvement.
The "new" Oregon City Elevator is a town icon.
Romaric Fotsing/Google
The elevator cost $116,000 to build, and it took 751 tons of concrete and steel. It stands 130 feet tall.

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It's free to ride the elevator, and it takes just 15 seconds to reach the top. During your ride, the elevator operator will share stories about the history of the town, and before you know it...
Brian Scotland/Google
...you'll emerge onto the upper deck, where you'll find some stunning views of the city.
Sergio M/Google
Get a bird's eye view of Oregon City, West Lin...
Theresa C/Tripadvisor
...and the Willamette River and falls.
Leslie Houston/Google
From its first version to the modern rendition, the Oregon City Elevator is a source of pride for residents, and visitors love it. During the summer, as many as 1,000 people ride it every day.
Oregon City - City Hall
The elevator is just one of four municipal elevators in the entire world, and the only one in the U.S.

Have you ridden the elevator in Oregon City? Share your memories and photos with us in the comments!

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Featured Addresses
Oregon City Municipal Elevator, 6 Railroad Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045, USA