West Linn, Oregon, is a charming city where two rivers converge and the past has a fascinating habit of surprising you. Whether you are a longtime resident or a curious visitor, there is something undeniably magnetic about this corner of the Pacific Northwest. Located just 15 miles south of Portland in Clackamas County, West Linn offers natural beauty, rich heritage, and a community spirit that has been thriving for nearly two centuries.
From Robin’s Nest to Thriving Pioneer Town
Before Europeans arrived, the area now known as West Linn was home to ancestors of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, including the Clackamas and Wallamut peoples who lived along the Willamette River for generations.
In the early 1840s, Major Robert Moore became one of the first European settlers in the region. After purchasing approximately 1,000 acres from Chief Wanaxha of the Wallamut Tribe, Moore built his cabin overlooking the powerful Willamette Falls and named his settlement “Robin’s Nest.” By 1845, the Oregon Territorial Legislature renamed the town “Linn City” in honor of U.S. Senator Lewis F. Linn of Missouri.
Moore was a builder at heart. By 1846, he had constructed four flour and lumber mills, worker dwellings, and operated a ferry to Oregon City. Linn City quickly grew into a serious commercial rival to its neighbor across the river.
The Great Flood That Changed Everything
Then came the rain. In November 1861, relentless precipitation fell across the Willamette Valley. By December, the river had swelled beyond recognition, with water rising nearly one foot per hour. According to historical accounts, buildings shuddered, walls caved in, and structures were swept away.
When the floodwaters receded on December 14, 1861, only three homes remained standing. Remarkably, no one died, but the destruction was too severe to recover from. The citizens gathered what the waters had spared and moved on.
Rising from the Waters: A New City Emerges
The area did not stay quiet for long. In 1873, the Willamette Falls Locks opened, creating safe passage around the 42-foot-high falls. These locks are the oldest multi-lift bypass canal and navigation lock system in America, currently undergoing restoration with plans to reopen in 2026.
The Sullivan hydroelectric plant opened in 1889, and the Willamette Falls Pulp and Paper Company began operations that same year. In 1913, the City of West Linn was officially incorporated, uniting West Oregon City, Bolton, Sunset, and Willamette Heights.
A Meteorite Worth Stealing
No history of West Linn is complete without the Willamette Meteorite, the largest meteorite ever found in the United States. The Clackamas Chinook people knew this 15.5-ton iron mass as “Tomanowos,” a source of spiritual power.
In 1902, settler Ellis Hughes discovered the meteorite on land owned by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. He spent 90 days secretly dragging it to his own property, hoping to claim it. The company sued, and the Oregon Supreme Court ruled against him. Today, you can visit a replica outside the Willamette Fire Station.
Modern West Linn: Award-Winning Community
Today, West Linn has approximately 27,373 residents and consistently ranks among Oregon’s best places to live. The city appeared on CNN and Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” lists in 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2015, citing Cascade Mountain views, low taxes, and excellent schools.
The city offers more than 17 parks, including Mary S. Young Park and Willamette Park, where the Tualatin and Willamette rivers meet. The Historic Willamette Main Street district features restaurants, boutiques, and beloved events like the annual Street Dance. For history enthusiasts, the West Linn Historical Society offers walking tours documenting the area’s heritage. West Linn carries its history forward with pride, making it a place where natural beauty meets genuine community spirit.
Sources: westlinnoregon.gov, westlinnhistory.org, savingplaces.org, mthoodterritory.com, historicwillamette.com, amnh.org
Header Image Source: savingplaces.org
