FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-134

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 14, 2026) – In Fun with Maps today, we visit the creation of the Oregon Territory which later became simply Oregon: The Beaver State

BEFORE THE BEAVER STATE WAS A STATE

The Territory of Oregon was created by Congress on August 14, 1848.  It spanned from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean and included the modern-day states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Wyoming and Montana.  The current state boundaries were set when Oregon became a state in 1859.

Three other nations had controlled the area – Spain, Great Britain and Russia – with the final control coming to the US when the 49th parallel was used as a split between the US and British-owned Canada.

The Oregon Trail was the route (actually several different routes) which most settlers followed to settle out west.  The Trail ran from Independence, Missouri to the Territory’s capital city of Oregon City, Oregon.

Here is Greenleaf’s map of the Oregon Territory, more accurately of the Oregon Country, which occupied part of today’s British Columbia as well.  The map is from 1842.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Be sure to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.