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Oakridge, Oregon

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Oakridge, Oregon
City
Highway 58 in Oakridge
Highway 58 in Oakridge
Nickname(s): 
The Center of Oregon Recreation, Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest
Location in Oregon
Location in Oregon
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyLane
Incorporated1912
Government
 • MayorJerry Shorey
Area
[1]
 • Total2.20 sq mi (5.70 km2)
 • Land2.10 sq mi (5.44 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
1,240 ft (377.9 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total3,205
 • Estimate 
(2011[3])
3,221
 • Density1,526.2/sq mi (589.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific)
ZIP code
97463
Area code(s)458 and 541
FIPS code41-54100Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1166689Template:GR
Websitewww.ci.oakridge.or.us
Oakridge as seen from a hill to the north
Oakridge as seen from the north, along the North Fork Trail, with snow-capped Diamond Peak in the distance

Oakridge is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population was 3,205 as of the 2010 census.[2] It is located east of Westfir on Oregon Route 58, about 40 miles (64 km) east of Eugene and 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Portland. Surrounded by the Willamette National Forest and the Cascade Range, Oakridge is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking, mountain biking, wildflowers, fly fishing, birding, watersports, and nearby Willamette Pass Resort.

The city was originally a community called "Hazeldell", and its post office was established on July 26, 1888. When a station on the Southern Pacific Railroad opened in May 1912, it was named "Oak Ridge" by a railroad executive for the surrounding topography, and on July 19 of that year, the name was changed to "Oakridge".[4]

The economy of Oakridge and nearby Westfir has been centered around the railroad, the logging industry, and recreation. In the 20th century, there were two sawmills that processed logs from nearby timberland—an Oakridge mill owned by the Pope and Talbot Lumber Company and an Edward Hines mill in Westfir. Both of the mills had closed by 1985, and the local economy declined. Since then it has been slightly rebounding, with a new general store opening in 2010, a bakery in 2011, and a brewery and mercantile.[5][6][7][8]

History

The area now known as Oakridge was first explored in 1852 as a possible route for pioneers coming from Central Oregon to the Willamette Valley. It was first known as "Hazeldell", "Big Prairie", and "Oak Ridge".[9][10] In 1912, a new community was formed and officially named Oakridge. Since its beginnings as a mountain ranch, Oakridge has been a railroad boomtown, a lumberjacks' haven,[9] and an outdoor enthusiast's destination.[11]

The early boom for Oakridge can be attributed to the Southern Pacific Railroad. By 1910, work had already begun on Tunnel 22, a short route connecting Oakridge to the area now known as Westfir. Oakridge was a station on Southern Pacific's Cascade subdivision, a line that goes over Willamette Pass via the Natron Cutoff that was built in 1926, and the railroad played an integral part of the economy and lifestyle in Oakridge. The Union Pacific Railroad still operates the rails and trains are a common sight in Oakridge.[12]

On July 2, 1946, the Pope and Talbot Lumber Company purchased timberland near Oakridge. By 1948, the company had built a large sawmill and had begun a massive timber logging operation. While the railroad and Westfir's Hines sawmill began to slow down, the Pope and Talbot mill expanded and eventually employed more than 500 people. The combined economic base of the railroad and sawmills accounted for the population growth of the 1960s and 1970s, when the community of Willamette City was consolidated into Oakridge.[13][10] However, in 1978, the Hines mill in Westfir closed, and by 1985 the Pope and Talbot Mill had laid off all of its workers. The City of Oakridge now owns the property that formerly housed the Pope and Talbot sawmill.[13]

Geography

Oakridge sits at an elevation ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 feet (370 to 490 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.20 square miles (5.70 km2), of which 2.10 square miles (5.44 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[1]

Oakridge lies in a small valley in the foothills of the Cascade Range and is completely surrounded by the Willamette National Forest. Five streams are located in and around Oakridge; they are Salmon Creek, Salt Creek, Hills Creek, and the Middle and North forks of the Willamette River, the latter of which has been designated Wild and Scenic. Diamond Peak, a shield volcano located in the nearby Diamond Peak Wilderness to the southeast, can be seen from various spots in and around Oakridge. Waldo Lake, known as one of the purest lakes in the world, and Salt Creek Falls, the second highest waterfall in Oregon, are located about 20 miles (32 km) east of town.[14][15]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 3,205 people, 1,437 households, and 849 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,526.2 inhabitants per square mile (589.3/km2). There were 1,605 housing units at an average density of 764.3 per square mile (295.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 1.0% African American, 1.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 1,437 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 48.1 years. 20% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

2000 census

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 3,148 people, 1,345 households, and 891 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,659.8 people per square mile (639.7/km2). There were 1,526 housing units at an average density of 804.6 per square mile (310.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.57% White, 0.32% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 3.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.02% of the population.

There were 1,345 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,622, and the median income for a family was $33,017. Males had a median income of $28,285 versus $18,672 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,885. About 12.2% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Pope and Talbot mill closed in 1992, leaving the community without a major employer. Following the closur,e many residents struggled to find employment, working low-paying service jobs in the community or commuting to Eugene. The town's two largest employers continue to be the Oakridge School District and the United States Forest Service. However, in recent years there has been a cultural and economic revival centered around the outdoor recreational activities and local artists and craftspeople in the Oakridge area. Many new small businesses have opened, including a bicycle shop/ski shop/mercantile, an outdoor guide service, a microbrewery, and a bakery. The Uptown business district has formed the Uptown Business Revitalization Association (UBRA) and has worked to attract new businesses to the district. While there is still a scarcity of local employment, Oakridge is creating new businesses and jobs twenty years after the closure of the lumber mill.[8]

Transportation

Land

State Highway 58, a designated freight route,[16] serves as a major connection between Highway 97 and Interstate 5. Running east-west, Highway 58 links the Willamette Valley with Central Oregon while crossing through the Willamette National Forest and Cascade Range.

Rail

Union Pacific Railroad's main north/south line in the western two-thirds of the United States, with cargo shipping services, runs through Oakridge. Amtrak shares the rail line and provides passenger train service to nationwide destinations from Eugene.[17]

Bus

Lane Transit District's Diamond Express runs three trips inbound and outbound on weekdays to the Eugene/Springfield area.[18]

Air

Oakridge State Airport

Oakridge State Airport is a public airport located one mile west of Oakridge. Eugene Airport, located 45 miles (72 km) west, is the closest regional terminal providing passenger and cargo air services with access to all world markets.

Ports

The closest International Shipping Ports to Oakridge are the Port of Coos Bay, located 145 miles (233 km) to the west in Coos Bay, and the Port of Portland, located 149 miles (240 km) to the north in Portland.

Education

The Oakridge School District consists of two schools and serves the children of Oakridge, Westfir, and outlying areas including High Prairie.

  • Oakridge Elementary School - Grades K-6

In 2008, Oakridge High School was recognized as one of the best high schools in America by U.S. News & World Report.[5]

The University of Oregon and Lane Community College are located 40 miles (64 km) to the west.

The Oakridge Public Library was built at 48318 E. First St., next to the city hall, in 2012. It was paid for with a federal grant of $800,000 and replaces a smaller library that was located in the city hall building.[19][20]


Notable people

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-21. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 715. ISBN 978-0875952772.
  5. ^ a b Bates, Doug (2009-10-10). "Oakridge: A mill town on the mend". Oregonian. Retrieved 2010-11-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Lion Mountain Bakery". Yelp. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  7. ^ "Anglo-American Public House and Brewery". Brewers Union Local 180. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  8. ^ a b Eckholm, Erik (2006-08-20). "Rural Oregon Town Feels Pinch of Poverty". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  9. ^ a b Jacklet, Ben. "Trouble in Timber Town". Oregon Business. Retrieved 2010-12-13. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b "History". City of Oakridge. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  11. ^ Letson, Al (2010-08-14). "Former Oregon Lumber Town Tries To Reinvent Itself". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  12. ^ "Railfan Sites in Oregon". Frograil Rail Tours. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  13. ^ a b Tobe, Lisa; Buttolph, Lita. "Oakridge, Oregon" (PDF). Sierra Institute. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  14. ^ Turnbull, Leon. "Salt Creek Falls". Leon Turnbull Photography. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  15. ^ "Waldo Lake Wilderness". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  16. ^ "State Highway Freight System" (PDF). Oregon Department of Transportation. March 2006. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  17. ^ "Eugene, OR (EUG): Station Building (with waiting room)". Amtrak. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  18. ^ "Diamond Express: Your Ride to Eugene". Lane Transit District. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  19. ^ "Library". City of Oakridge. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  20. ^ Markstrom, Serena (2013-02-18). "Oakridge writes a new chapter in saga of public library". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
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