Established in 1829 by Dr. John McLoughlin as a lumber mill near Willamette Falls, it was later designated as Oregon's territorial capital. Visiting its many museums and historical buildings allows you a glimpse of pioneer life in Oregon territory. The Clackamas County Historical Society Museum, which overlooks Willamette Falls and the Willamette River, has extensive exhibits of Clackamas county history documented in photographs and artifacts.
Displays follow a time line from Indian times through fur traders, pioneers and merchants.
Additional exhibits include one on America's first long distance electric transmission, which was from Willamette Falls, and an immigrant wagon fully loaded for the Oregon Trail. The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located on Abernethy Green, at the end of the Oregon National Historic Trail. Visitors are guided by a living history interpreter, who brings alive the journey from Missouri to Oregon through dramatization and story telling. Things to see include artifacts from pioneer days, a video presentation, and a gift shop. The Stevens Crawford Museum is located in a 1908 classical Foursquare style house.