Oregon

History

Oregon was once part of the Great Black Swamp. The swamp area was rich with oak, hickory, ash, walnut, elm and maple trees. This led to the establishment of numerous sawmills and settlements. The harvested forests created rich farmland, but the area remained swampy and there was a need for storm drainage. Major ditches were constructed, usually along roadways that followed the path of old Indian trails. These ditches continue to provide storm drainage today, carrying storm water into Maumee Bay. "The town was named Oregon by Pierre M. Irving, a nephew of Washington Irving, author of the popular book Astoria. This book attracted considerable interest in John Jacob Astor's trading lands which were located in what is now the state of Oregon. The story, however, is an account of Astor's fur trading in the territory of Oregon; but since the nephew was representing Astor's interest in fur trading east of the Maumee River, he succeeded in having the town named Oregon. In 1838, Mr. Irving, accompanied by his wife, went to New York expecting to remain there for the summer; but for some reason he never returned." Quoted in the History of Oregon and Jerusalem book, authored by Josephine Fassett. The first government was Oregon Township, formed in 1838. The land was surveyed and there were public sales for settlements. The area that was the township, is now the City of Oregon, which is bounded on the west by the City of Toledo, the North by Maumee Bay/Lake Erie, on the east by Jerusalem Township (Lucas County) and on the South by the City of Northwood (Wood County). In 1856 the township took ownership of two cemeteries which remain owned by the City today. The 1800s and 1900s saw the development of an extensive rail system. The Port of Toledo began operations on the south bank…

Geography

The city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Most-observed species

• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  57,930
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  55,585
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  50,745
• Great Blue/Cocoi Heron

  Ardea herodias Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  43,744
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  42,114
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  41,259
• Great Egret

  Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  40,775
• Tree Swallow

  Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808) · Aves
  40,414

Most recent

• M 2.7 — 2026-05-04
  8 km N of Maybee, Michigan
• M 3 — 2026-04-26
  7 km SSE of Amherstburg, Canada
• M 2.5 — 2024-03-18
  4 km WSW of Millbury, Ohio
• M 2.6 — 2023-05-20
  3 km SSE of Walbridge, Ohio
• M 3.2 — 2020-08-21
  2 km SSE of Detroit Beach, Michigan
• M 3.4 — 2018-04-20
  Michigan