Main Street Oregon City
Oregon City's Municipal Elevator operates as one of only four municipal elevators in the world.
The elevator is the only municipally operated "vertical street" in North America. This local icon provides a physical connection between Oregon City's residential "uptown" neighborhoods and our historic waterfront downtown. Oregon City relies upon this regional landmark as an important part of our local circulation infrastructure, our identity, and as a component of our heritage tourism offerings.
The Oregon City Municipal Elevator provides a connective link that transports more than 120,000 riders annually between our historic downtown (and Willamette River waterfront) to the City's two upper terraces where more than 30,000 city residents live and work. For visitors, bicyclists, and pedestrian commuters as well as more than 1,000 downtown employees, the elevator is a gateway between downtown and the rest of Oregon City.
The City of Oregon City has expanded significantly since it's founding as the Oregon Territorial capital. The population has doubled since 1990. The City has overcome, with the help of the Municipal Elevator, severe topographical challenges -- an insurmountable cliff that separates downtown and the waterfront from the rest of the city. Oregon City was first settled at the base of Willamette Falls in what is now a two-block wide stretch of historic buildings. Today, Oregon City's residents live on two terraces more than 400 feet above our downtown and waterfront.
Oregon City's physical, emotional, and historic link to our historic downtown marketplace is represented by our Municipal Elevator.
Our iconic Municipal Elevator also operates with 5 other local historic venues as a heritage tourism destination. Along with the locally managed Ermatinger House & Living History Museum, and the National Park Service's McLoughlin House.
The information provided on Community Challenge pages is provided "as is," and the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not make any representations, endorsements, or warranties (either expressed or implied) on any comments, reviews, or suggestions posted. Neither does the National Trust assume responsibility or liability for the same.
