Congress passes the Homestead Act, allowing 160 acres to those who would live on and work the land. Gold is discovered in eastern Oregon, in Baker and Grant counties. The Silverton Fire burns nearly 1 million acres of timber. Much of the Elliott State Forest burns. 1880s Heavy logging occurs in the Blue Mountains.
Federal timber is effectively available for the taking.
The transcontinental railroad is established. The first Northwest paper mill is built on the Columbia River at Camas. The General Revision Act allows presidential withdrawal of forest reserves, but provides no funding to administer the reserves. Benjamin Harrison sets aside the first US forest reserve. The first timberland reserve in Oregon is set aside Bull Run Reserve.