COUNTY FLAGSTONES
OREGON’S FOUNDING COUNTIES
When you visit the Capitol Mall, you can find a flagstone for each of Oregon’s 36 counties. You might also notice some unexpected names: Champooick, Twality and Umpqua. These are names of three founding counties that ceased to exist in the 1800s.
Adding new flagstones
On Monday, May 8, 2017, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, Association of Oregon Counties and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department unveiled a collaborative community project – the installation of flagstones commemorating:
- Champooick District (1843-1849), which became Marion County.
- Twality District (1843-1849), which became Washington County.
- Umpqua County (1851-1862), now part of Douglas County.
The Capitol Foundation was the presenting sponsor of this historically significant project. Our work is made possible thanks to purchasers of Pacific Wonderland license plates and donors like you.
WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OREGONIANS
The Capitol Foundation regularly works alongside community partners to help Oregonians and Capitol visitors learn about some of the history that makes our state and the people who live here so unique. Examples include, but are not limited to working with:
- The Office of Chief Clerk and Secretary of the Senate staff to add to their online database of Oregon Legislators from 1841 to present and the history of the Oregon House dating back to 1846.
- Capitol Visitor Services to develop and provide annual in-person and online cultural events and Capitol History Gateway programs.
- Organizations across the state to teach civics education to all Oregonians.
- Museums and heritage sites throughout Oregon to share exhibits representing their communities at our Capitol and beyond.
- Authors, historians, activists and other influential Oregonians to share stories about the history they and other remarkable Oregonians made at our Capitol through recorded interviews and free, in-person talks.
- The Oregon Bankers Association to mint replica beaver coin of Oregon souvenirs.
- Private donors to commission, care for and repair governors’ portraits. (No public funds are used.)
- Sponsors to install flags on the Walk of Flags, restore the Oregon Liberty Bell and other exciting projects available to all who visit the parks surrounding our Capitol.
- Oregon Veterans Group and others to honor Oregon’s Medal of Honor recipients.