Oregon is a word derived from the Spanish, and means "wild thyme," the
early explorers finding that herb growing there in great profusion. So
far as we have any record Oregon seems to have been first visited by
white men in 1775; Captain Cook coasted down its shores in 1778. Captain
Gray, commanding the ship "Columbia," of Boston, Mass., discovered the
noble river in 1791, which he named after his ship. Astoria was founded
in 1811; immigration was in full tide in 1839; Territorial organization
was effected in 1848, and Oregon became a State on 14th February, 1859.
It has an area of 96,000 square miles, and is 350 miles long by 275 miles
wide. There are 50,000,000 acres of arable and grazing land, and
10,000,000 acres of forest in the State.
The Union Pacific Railway will sell at greatly reduced rates a series of
excursion tickets called "Columbia Tours," using Portland as a central
point. Stop-over privileges will be given within the limitation of the
tickets.
First Columbia Tour: Portland to "The Dalles," by rail, and return by
river.
Second Columbia Tour: Portland to Astoria, Ilwaco, and Clatsop Beach, and
return by river.
Third Columbia Tour: Portland to Port Townsend, Seattle, and Tacoma by
boat and return.
Fourth Columbia Tour: Portland to Alaska and return.
Fifth Columbia Tour: Portland to San Francisco by boat.