11 Unique Trivia Facts About Oregon You Might Not Have Heard Before
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Sarah Vanbuskirk
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Oregon is a magical state. We’re known for our timber, salmon, hipsters, craft brews, wild coastline, Nike, Intel, whale watching, organic farming, and gorgeous green spaces. But there’s so much more to know about the Beaver State. Here are 11 unique trivia facts about Oregon you might not know.
1. Hazelnuts became the state nut of Oregon in 1989.
Approximately 1,300 Oregon farms grow hazelnuts. Approximately 99 percent of the hazelnut crop in the United States is produced in the Willamette Valley. Only Turkey and Italy produce more hazelnuts than Oregon.
2. Oregon has over 7,000 bridges.
Portland is nicknamed Bridge City as it has 12 bridges within its city limits. If you include the three bridges that connect the city to Washington state, the number is 15.
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3. Pears are the state fruit.
Oregon grows lots of fruit, from blueberries to peaches, but pears take top honors.
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4. Oregon is a favorite winter home for bald eagles.
More wintering bald eagles are seen in Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex than anywhere else in the United States.
5. Oregon's coastline features nine historic lighthouses.
One of the most beautiful is the Heceta Head lighthouse in Florence, Oregon, which opened in 1894.
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6. Oregon is the only state with a Scenic Bikeway program.
The Beaver State has 17 Scenic Bikeways to choose from.
7. Oregon boasts 53 covered bridges.
One stunning covered bridge is the Wildcat Creek Covered Bridge in rural Lane County, Oregon, which was built in 1925.
8. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
Crater Lake is 1,932 feet deep — it's also a deep blue color and very cold year-round. Oregon boasts over 6,000 other lakes, too.
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9. The Tater Tot was invented here.
This yummy potato concoction was the brainchild of brothers Nephi and Golden Grigg, who founded Ore-Ida.
10. Oregon is known as a green state for good reason.
About half of the state is forested land.
11. The highest elevation in the state is Mt. Hood's peak.
This majestic mountain rises to 11,239 feet.
Do you know any other Oregon trivia you’d like to share? If so, please leave a comment. And if you’re driving around the state looking for more cool facts or to check out some of Oregon’s hidden gems, you may want to stock up on car-friendly snacks.
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