Keep Portland Weird

8. The Oregon Historical Society

Portland, OR

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The Oregon Historical Society is full of fun and interesting facts about the area that you may want to stop and gaze upon, but be sure not to miss one of the most influential items they house there -- the Portland Penny. The Portland Penny -- What may look like a simple copper coin is actually of great importance to Portland, Oregon. The two founders of Portland, Francis Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy each wanted to name the city after their own hometowns - Pettygrove hailing from Portland, Maine and Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts. In 1845 they took their disagreement to one of the most trusted deciders of human fate -- the flip of a coin. After tossing three rounds, Pettygrove won the necessary two out of three and Portland was incorporated as such four years later. If you travel a little further south from Portland, Oregon, you can visit the oldest house in Clackamas County where the coin toss was held. From here we turn and head back toward the river Willamette for just a few more stops along your introduction to the interesting and exciting in Portland, Oregon's downtown.