Oregon—land of forests and mountains, hunting ground for centuries of tribes of wandering Indians—was relatively unknown to the outside world before the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Here is the story of how this vast stretch of country was gradually mapped out, from the time of the first tentative exploration of its coastline by Ferrelo in 1542, right up to the great cities and big industrial plants and projects of today.
By the end of the eighteenth century a number of explorers had sailed along its coast, and soon after, England, Spain, and Russia were all claiming possessions of different parts of the territory by right of discovery. It was a prize worth the contest, for "Oregon Country," as it was then called, also included all that land that is now Washington and Idaho, as well as parts of Wyoming and Montana.
How America eventually won the struggle is a big part of this story, and so is the great adventure of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The many settlers who made their way by covered wagon over the famous Oregon Trail, and the Indian wars, also play their part; and, as is not surprising in this state, one of whose main industries from the earliest times has been lumbering, this is the home of that famous character Paul Bunyan who, with Babe the Blue Ox, performed countless feats of daring and strength.
—from the dust jacket
Did you find this review helpful?