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160 Oregon Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Oregon? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Oregon (Geography). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
1 Where are the oldest known human dwellings in the state of Oregon?
Answer: Fort Rock Cave and the Paisley Caves

The Fort Rock Caves previously were contended to hold the oldest DNA of humans found in North America before the findings of human DNA in the Paisley Caves, up to 13,200 years. It was added to the US National Register of Historical Places in 1966.

As of 2002, the oldest DNA evidence of humans in North America have been reportedly found to exist in the Paisley Caves in Oregon. They are dated as old as 14,300 years. However, other scientists are skeptical about how the dating was determined based on previous studies in the area dating back to the 1930s. The Paisley Caves were added to the US National Register of Historical Places in 2014.
  From Quiz: The State of Oregon
2 The Rose Festival in Portland Oregon, is held every June and is the second largest all-floral parade in the United States. What was the first year it was held?
Answer: 1907

In 2007, the Portland Rose Festival celebrated its centennial. It incorporates the Grand Floral Parade as well as the Starlight Parade along with several other events including a fleet of ships that sails into the Portland waterfront for the duration of the festival.
  From Quiz: Oregon Numerology
3 What is the name of the river that forms the NE border of Oregon with the state of Idaho?
Answer: Snake River

The Snake River flows north along the NE Oregon border through Hells Canyon recreation area, and then arcs around to the SW into the Columbia River in central Washington state.
  From Quiz: Oregon Geography
4 The city of Portland was officially incorporated on what date?
Answer: February 8, 1851

February 14, 1859 - Oregon was granted statehood.
August 13, 1848 - Oregon annexed by the United States.
June 5, 1977 - Portland Trailblazers win the NBA Championship.
  From Quiz: Portland, The Rose City
5 What is the airport code for Portland?
Answer: PDX

The airport code for Portland International Airport is PDX, run by the Port of Portland.
  From Quiz: Portland, Oregon
6 What is the state capital?
Answer: Salem

Salem is actually the third largest City in Oregon, behind Portland and Eugene.
  From Quiz: Oregon
7 Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo discovered what part of Oregon in 1543?
Answer: Southern Oregon off the Pacific Coast

Historians do not know where Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was born. They contend either in Spain or Portugal but aren't entirely sure which. Some have evidence he was born in Portugal and some cities there claim him as a son of their city; a recent discovery in 2015 shows that he may have been from Palma de Micergilio which is now known as Palma del Río in Cordoba, Spain. Whatever his true nationality he was European and a maritime navigator in the 16th century, and the first European to navigate the California coast. He was also on the ship with Hernan Cortes to New Spain (now called Mexico). He ventured to Guatemala and became one of the richest navigators in the "New World" during that time period, off the backs of indigenous peoples where he would split families apart and work the men in the mines until they died. He died on January 3, 1543 trying to rescue his men from their fight with indigenous peoples on Santa Catalina Island (back then called San Salvador by Cabrillo, naming it after his ship.) He apparently had a common-law wife who was an indigenous woman and had several children with her. Who and what happened to them is unknown.

Oregon's coastline runs 362 miles. Oregon's beaches are open freely to the public since 1967 with the passage of The Oregon Beach Bill. Landowners do have some rights to their beaches. The film "The Goonies", directed by Richard Donnor and based off a story by Steven Spielberg, was filmed using not only the coastline of Oregon but also the city of Astoria.
  From Quiz: The State of Oregon
8 The John Day River is the longest River in Oregon. What is the distance, in miles, from its headwaters to where it empties into the Columbia River?
Answer: 280 miles

The John Day River headwaters are in the Blue Mountains. They flow westward through eastern Oregon and then turn north and empty into the Columbia River east of The Dalles. It is the longest undammed river in Oregon at 280 miles and one of the longest in the United States.
  From Quiz: Oregon Numerology
9 Name the river in the State of Oregon that flows from south to north through the cities of Eugene, Salem and Portland.
Answer: Willamette River

The Willamette River's source is in the Central Oregon Cascades, and flows north emptying into the Columbia River just north of Portland.
    Your options: [ Columbia River ] [ Willamette River ] [ Oregon River ] [ Colorado River ]
  From Quiz: Oregon Geography
10 Occupying an entire city block and containing more than one million books, what Portland landmark is the world's largest independent bookstore?
Answer: Powell's City of Books

From humble storefront beginnings in 1971 on a derelict corner of northwest Portland, Oregon, Powell's Books has grown into one of the world's great bookstores, with seven locations in the Portland metropolitan area.

Ride the only three-door elevator west of the Mississippi at Powell's City of Books!
  From Quiz: Portland, The Rose City
11 There is an actual organization with the moniker "Keep Portland Weird!" What does this group want us to do?
Answer: Support local businesses

Don MacLeod, owner of "Music Millennium", one of the oldest record stores in the Northwest, founded "Keep Portland Weird" to help keep one of the main sources of PDX weirdness- its unique local businesses- alive.
  From Quiz: Weird and Unusual Portland
12 In this town you can find a Shakespearian theatre.
Answer: Ashland

This is also the town where Southern Oregon University is located.
    Your options: [ Hermiston ] [ Eugene ] [ Bend ] [ Ashland ]
  From Quiz: Oregon, My Oregon
13 What bridge is located between Chinatown and the Rose Quarter in Portland?
Answer: Steel Bridge

The steel bridge is easially one of the most versatile bridge in Portland. It carries Amtrak and freight trains on it's lower deck, as well as the MAX light rail and automobiles on the upper deck.
  From Quiz: Portland, Oregon
14 What is the state nickname?
Answer: The Beaver State
  From Quiz: Oregon
15 What's the name of the first National Park in Oregon?
Answer: Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is listed as the fifth oldest National Park in the United States. It is located in southern Oregon and was established as a National Park in 1902 by Theodore Roosevelt. The credit, though, should go to William Gladstone Steel (1854-1934) who spent 17 years and a considerable fortune petitioning the US Congress in making Crater Lake into a National Park. The lake itself, being 1,949 feet deep, is constituted as the deepest lake in the United States. The caldera rim's elevation is 7,000 to 8,000 feet. The National Park covers 286.29 square miles (183,224 acres.)
  From Quiz: The State of Oregon
16 A few blocks away, on Park, are the headquarters of the Oregon Historical Society. On display there is one of the great artifacts from Portland's history--the Portland Penny. What is this coin's significance?
Answer: It was tossed to determine Portland's name

Francis Pettygrove, of Portland, Maine, won two out of three tosses. He competed against Asa Lovejoy, of Boston, Massachusetts, to determine which of the men's hometowns would be the namesake for the new settlement.
  From Quiz: Portland, Oregon
17 A little math will be required on this one. In the central Oregon Cascade mountains there is a group of three mountains called the Three Sisters. What is the total elevation, in feet, of the three peaks added together?
Answer: 30,490

The total elevation, in feet, of the Three Sisters is 30,490 feet. Each of the three peaks is over 10,000 feet in elevation. The South Sister is the tallest at 10,358 feet, while the Middle and North Sisters are 10,047 and 10,085 feet respectively.
  From Quiz: Oregon Numerology
18 What is the name of mountain which exploded approximately 7000 years ago creating Crater Lake?
Answer: Mt. Mazama

Mt. Mazama exploded spreading ash over much of southern Oregon. The explosion left a large crater which gradually filled to form Crater Lake, which is now Oregon's only National Park.
    Your options: [ Mt. Hood ] [ Mt. Mazama ] [ Bald Peak ] [ Big Crater Mountain ]
  From Quiz: Oregon Geography
19 With over 7000 rose plants of 550 varieties, what rose garden is located in Portland's Washington Park?
Answer: International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden has 4.5 acres in several tiers facing downtown Portland.

Portland's International Rose Test Garden is considered the oldest official, continuously -operated public rose test garden in the United States. Roses are sent from throughout the world to be tested in the Northwest climate here.
  From Quiz: Portland, The Rose City
20 What is Oregon's state flower?
Answer: Oregon grape

The Oregon grape has green, hollylike leaves and bright yellow flowers. The flowers later become dark purple/black edible grapes. The plant can be easily recognized along the coastal highways. The mild weather of the Pacific Coast is the perfect environment for it.
  From Quiz: Oregon--The Beaver State
21 What is Portland's mass transit system called?
Answer: TriMet

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet).
  From Quiz: Portland, Oregon
22 What mountain range runs north-south through the center of Oregon?
Answer: The Cascades
  From Quiz: Oregon
23 This desert is in the southeast of Steens Mountain and in Harney County, Oregon. What is its name?
Answer: Alvord Desert

Alvord Desert has an area of 84 sq miles and is home to many fauna such as wild horses (near the eastern edge of the desert), mules, elk, sheep, and varying types of birds, including plovers. Kitty O'Neil holds a land-speed record there from 1976 in a jet-powered SMI Motivator at the speed of almost 513 mph (825 km/h.) There's a lake in the desert called Borax Lake, which is geothermal with high concentration of borax and arsenic and lead. Despite all that a cyprinid fish called the Borax Lake Chub lives in the lake.

Alvord Desert was named after Brigadier General Benjamin Alvord (1813-1884). He fought in the Second Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and the US Civil War (Union.) He was also a mathematician and botanist. He was originally from Vermont and died in Washington, DC.
  From Quiz: The State of Oregon
24 What year did the Lewis and Clark Expedition actually arrive within the present day boundary of the state of Oregon?
Answer: 1805

After leaving in the spring of 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition reached Oregon in late 1805 and spent the winter near the mouth of the Columbia River and Fort Clatsop. They returned back to St. Louis in late 1806 to end the journey.
  From Quiz: Oregon Numerology
25 Name the Oregon college baseball team that won consecutive College World Series Championships in 2006 and 2007?
Answer: Oregon State Beavers

Oregon State University from Corvallis mens baseball team won back to back College World Series in 2006 and 2007 defeating the North Carolina Tarheels in both championships.
  From Quiz: Oregon Geography
26 Portland is home to much public art. One of the most notable pieces is known to locals as "Pull My Finger." What is the real name of this famous artwork?
Answer: Portlandia

Located in front of the Michael Graves building in downtown Portland, Portlandia, resembling a female Neptune, but in reality modeled after the city seal, holds a trident in her left hand and holds her right out, index finger extended. Thus, "Pull My Finger."
  From Quiz: Weird and Unusual Portland
27 Many small creeks feed this Central Oregon lake, from which an early computer game got it's name. What is this lake?
Answer: Odell Lake

The largest of the creeks feeding Odell Lake is Trapper Creek, which is about four miles long. Douglas Creek and Crystal Creek also drain into it. Most of the small creeks are about 0.2 miles to two miles long.
    Your options: [ Crystal Lake ] [ Crater Lake ] [ Odell Lake ] [ Lake Douglas ]
  From Quiz: "Little" Known Places in Oregon
28 What is Oregon's state mammal?
Answer: beaver

The fur of the beaver is what brought the first Europeans to Oregon. They were once hunted nearly to extinction and are the North America's largest rodents. It was named the state mammal in 1969.
  From Quiz: Oregon--The Beaver State
29 This town has streets named Clay, Woodstock, Powell and Sandy.
Answer: Portland

Portland is a hard city to get lost in because all the streets are named after the part of town they're located in.
    Your options: [ Salem ] [ Oregon City ] [ Medford ] [ Portland ]
  From Quiz: Oregon, My Oregon
30 What is Portland's tallest building?
Answer: Wells Fargo Center

The US Bancorp Tower is a close second, and actually has more floors.
  From Quiz: Portland, Oregon
31 What is the highest mountain in Oregon?
Answer: Mount Hood

Mount Hood rises 11,235 ft above sea level in the northern portion of the state.
  From Quiz: Oregon
32 This river arises near Crater Lake, flowing geologically from the young High Cascades through the older Western Cascades. What river is this?
Answer: Rogue River

The name of the river comes from the French in describing the indigenous people in the area. Location of the river is in Curry County, Oregon and empties into the Pacific Ocean. The length of the river is 215 miles. Before Europeans arrived in the area the indigenous peoples in the area lived near and/or in proximity to the river for nearly 8,500 years. The Rogue River Wars of the mid 1850s culminated in the removal of most to all of the indigenous peoples from the area. In the 1930s and 1940s many Hollywood celebrities vacationed near the river. The Western stories author Zane Grey bought a cabin near the river, wrote many of his novels there and mentions the river in them. His 1929 novel is called "Rogue River Feud".
  From Quiz: The State of Oregon
33 Southbound once again, we pass Depoe Bay and Otter Rock, and arrive at the county seat of Lincoln County. Home to Rogue Ales, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, what lovely port town have we entered?
Answer: Newport

Newport is the base of four NOAA research ships. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, built in 1871, has been dubbed Oregon's last remaining wooden lighthouse. Whether you come for the history, the deep sea fishing charters, the glass blowing, or the oceanographic opportunities at the Oregon Coast Aquarium or the Hatfield Marine Science Center, there is always something new to discover in Newport.
  From Quiz: A Trip Down the Oregon Coast
34 The State of Oregon, from east to west, is approximately what distance in mileage? (This is assuming a straight east-west line)
Answer: 350 miles

The state of Oregon is approximately 350 miles from east to west. Also, from north to south, that is from Washington to California, it is between 250 and 300 miles.
  From Quiz: Oregon Numerology
35 The Willamette Valley and Yamhill County are mostly known for the production of which red wine variety?
Answer: Pinot Noir

The western Oregon climate is very similar to that of the Burgundy region in France where the Pinot grape is from. Western Oregon has several wineries which produce Pinot Noir wine.
    Your options: [ Merlot ] [ Pinot Noir ] [ Chianti ] [ Cabernet Sauvignon ]
  From Quiz: Oregon Geography
36 Portland is home to the second largest copper repoussé statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty. What is this sculpture's name?
Answer: Portlandia

Portlandia is a sculpture by Raymond Kaskey located above the entrance of Michael Graves' Portland Building in downtown Portland.

Installed in September 1985, it depicts a woman in classical clothes with a trident reaching down with right hand to greet visitors to the building.

The statue itself is 36 feet high.
  From Quiz: Portland, The Rose City
37 Oaks Amusement Park in the Sellwood District is unusual in several ways. Which is **not** one of them?
Answer: It has the oldest continuously-operating roller coaster on the West Coast

Oaks Amusement Park, though small, is full of history. It was built in 1905 as a trolley park, and has operated continuously since then. It has a modest selection of rides, a huge dance pavilion, and a skating rink complete with live music.

As the park is located on the Willamette River, it sometimes floods. The skating rink floor is built on pontoons so it can be detached, float above the water, and be reattached after the flood subsides.

Oaks also sometimes hosts outdoor concerts on the grass- I have fond memories of seeing my first-ever Indigo Girls concert there!
    Your options: [ The skating rink is built on pontoons so it can float if there is a flood ] [ It has the largest remaining pipe organ installed in a skating rink ] [ It has the oldest continuously-operating roller coaster on the West Coast ] [ It is run by a not-for-profit corporation ]
  From Quiz: Weird and Unusual Portland
38 Although more of a large hill than a rocky mountain, this Biblically named landmark gives a good view of the Willamette Valley. What is its name?
Answer: Mount Pisgah

At 5280 feet, Mount Pisgah may not be the world's tallest mountain, but many people hike up there to have picnics in the summertime. On a clear day, visitors can see the snow-covered mountains in Central Oregon as well as the green agricultural areas of the valley.
  From Quiz: "Little" Known Places in Oregon
39 What is the state fish?
Answer: Chinook salmon

The chinook is the largest of the Pacific salmon and it fed the Native Americans for centuries. It was adopted as the state fish in 1961.
  From Quiz: Oregon--The Beaver State
40 Which Oregon city is home to the well-known catalog gift company Harry and David?
Answer: Medford

Harry and David were brothers who formed a gift-catalog company in Medford during the depression. They are famous for their Oregon-grown "Royal Riviera" pears.
    Your options: [ Medford ] [ Eugene ] [ Portland ] [ Ashland ]
  From Quiz: The Beautiful Oregon
The rest of the questions and answers can be found in our quizzes here:
Oregon Quizzes