Lake Oswego, Oregon

The Community of Lake Oswego, Oregon

Primarily located in Clackamas County, Lake Oswego encompasses 11.2 square miles and has an estimated population of approximately 36,073 residents.  Only minutes from the city of Portland and nestled along the west bank of the Willamette River, Lake Oswego is known as one of the finest residential areas in the state.  The city has received numerous accolades throughout the years, including the U.S. conference of Mayor’s Livability Awards in 2006 and 2007.

The residents of Lake Oswego are quite active in their community and many take advantage of the city’s municipal 18-hole golf course, indoor tennis center, two public swimming facilities, and an outdoor amphitheater that is located along the river.  The community is served by the area’s top-rated Lake Oswego School District.  All of the thirteen public schools in the district have been recognized as an “Exceptional School” by the state of Oregon.  In addition, more than 80% of Lake Oswego’s high school students further their education by attending college. 

Lake Oswego’s Economy

Iron was Lake Oswego’s first major manufacturing enterprise, but since then, the city’s economy has changed drastically, and the major industries that help to boost its economy include healthcare, high-tech, machinery, forestry, renewable energy, food and beverage processing, and agriculture.  There are more than 2,000 businesses in operation in the city, making for a strong local economy that is able to provide its residents with a wide range of goods and services.  In addition, the city’s no-business-tax and no-business-license-fee requirement helps to draw more and more businesses in each year.   The city has received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reporting Award for 14 consecutive years, given by the Government’s Finance Officers Association. 

The History of Lake Oswego

Once occupied by the Clackamas Indians, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that Lake Oswego was transformed into a booming industry town.  In 1847, a man by the name of Albert Durham founded Oswego, naming it after his birthplace in New York.  In 1851, Durham platted Old Town, the first area in the community that began to truly see a lot of growth.  He built the town’s first industry, a sawmill on Sucker Creek, now known as Oswego Creek.  In 1865, Durham sold the land to John C. Trullinger who furthered Durham’s efforts in making the town a prosperous one.  

While iron deposits had been found as early as 1841, it was not until 1865 that the town’s first manufacturing company (the Oregon Iron Company) began operation.  The Oregon Iron Company was the first of three companies that helped make Oswego an industrial center.  At its peak in 1890, the iron industry in Oswego employed more than 300 workers and produced more than 12,305 tons of pig iron.  It was the state’s biggest manufacturing enterprise and because of it the town prospered and saw tremendous growth.