About West Linn, Oregon

West Linn ~ the community

West Linn - A Money Magazine Top 100 Best Places to Live in America
 
Welcome home to West Linn, ranking at  #64  in the top 100 best small towns in America.
 
West Linn is located in Clackamas County in the Portland metropolitan area between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers.  Known as the city of “hills, trees and rivers,” West Linn has quite a bit to offer its nearly 25,000 residents.   Located only 8 miles south of Portland, West Linn provides an easy commute into the city of Portland.

West Linn, considered to be somewhat of a bedroom community, has taken care to maintain wide open spaces and its natural surroundings.  The community has a number of dedicated parks where residents can picnic among outstanding Douglas Fur trees, enjoy summer concerts, or simply enjoy the panoramic views of the Tualatin and Willamette rivers, and the mountainous regions of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and the Cascades.

At the southwestern end of town is the historic area of Willamette, with Victorian-style homes, old farmhouses, and a number of small shops where some unique treasures can be found. Little Cooperstown sports themed restaurant offers a family friendly menu, that is a hit with many locals or visit Salute' an Italian coffee house for a relaxing cup of Joe.  Commercial expansion continues in this quaint Willamette community, keeping in the historic feel and offering a mix of retail and office business space.

Also new to the area is Willamette Marketplace located at the 10th Street exit off I205, has brought Roses' restaurant to West Linn.  A Portland tradition since the mid 50's and they still offer their fabulous line of deserts and large portions!  And just off I205 up highway 43 is Central Village that is flanked by the post office and new library and offers many upscale shops and eateries giving more options for West Linn residents.

West Linn offers many close knit neighborhoods.  Perched above the community of Willamette in the southernmost part of town is the Barrington Heights area where lovely homes and expansive mansions overlook the Willamette River and the Cascade Summit area offers a family friendly neighborhood complete with pool and community clubhouse.  Plus it is walking distance to Starbucks!

West Linn is truly a social community and home to a number of festivals, parades, and other annual events.  Some of these include a Holiday Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting celebration in December and the Old Time Fair held in the month of July, which is a three-day celebration featuring skydivers, a parade, and an open-air market.  Our farmer's market continues each Tuesday May through September, featuring fresh produce, local artists, and music.

West Linn’s Economy

In addition to maintaining West Linn’s forest, farm and green space, the city provides its residents with an impressively clean commercial areas and a favorable economy.  Because of the city’s proximity to Portland, West Linn is close to much of the region’s business core.  Principal industries are agriculture, wood products, mining, and manufacturing.  In addition to these, there are a number of medical facilities and retailers that help to boast the city’s economy.  Civic pride and a strong commitment to the community also help to benefit the economic base in West Linn, starting with the excellent schools and dedicated teachers.

A Little West Linn History

Once the land of the Wallamut Indians, the region of West Linn was first settled sometime in the early 1840's by Robert Moore.  After spending sometime in the area, Mr. Moore bought from Chief Wanax-ha of the Wallamut Indians approximately 1,000 acres of land on which he platted the town of Robin’s Nest in 1843.  Within a few short years, Mr. Moore had built four flour and lumber mills and a number of houses for his mill workers.

On December 22, 1845, the Territorial Legislature of Oregon voted to rename Robin’s Nest, and the city name’s was changed to Linn City as a tribute to Missouri Senator Dr. Lewis Fields Linn, a close friend of Robert Moore.  In 1850, Mr. Moore became the region’s first postmaster and he purchased an Oregon City newspaper known as the "Spectator" in 1852.  By this time, Mr. Moore had a major hand in much of the development of the city and he owned a saw mill, gristmill, warehouse, wharves and a breakwater.  Shortly after Moore’s death in 1857, the region suffered a series of economic setbacks including a devastating fire that destroyed Moore’s gristmill, saw mill, and wharves.  Following the fire, a number of floods devastated much of the remaining businesses and homes in the city.  However, the community’s commitment was strong and in 1868, the Willamette Transportation Locks Company began operating, which helped to give the city’s economy a boost.  The locks, which provide passage to shipping over Willamette Falls, were in operation until just last year.

In 1913, West Linn was incorporated and merged with the five nearby areas of Bolton, West Oregon City, Multnomah City, Sunset, and Willamette Heights.  By incorporating, the city was able to obtain much-needed services and make many improvements to the area.  In honor of its pioneer founder, Robert Moore, the city decided to keep its name.  Throughout the years, the population of West Linn has steadily grown, but the community commitment remains.
 
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