Milwaukie, Oregon
Encyclopedia
Milwaukie is a city in Clackamas County
, Oregon
, United States
. A very small portion of the city extends into Multnomah County
. The population was 20,291 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1848 on the banks of the Willamette River
, the city, known as the Dogwood
City of the West, was incorporated in 1903 and is noted as the birthplace of the Bing cherry
. The city is now a suburb of Portland
and also adjoins the unincorporated areas of Clackamas
and Oak Grove
.
by Lot Whitcomb, who named it for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. At the time, the Wisconsin city was also frequently spelled "Milwaukie" before the current spelling was adopted. Some accounts also state that the Oregon city used an alternate spelling to prevent confusion at the post office.
Whitcomb arrived in Oregon in 1847 and settled on a donation land claim
, where he built a sawmill
and a gristmill
. Milwaukie rivaled Portland and Oregon City for a time, but Portland eventually became the bigger city because it had a deeper port
. Milwaukie post office was established in 1850, with Whitcomb as the first postmaster. The community was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly
on February 4, 1903, originally as the Town of Milwaukie.
The Oregon and California Railroad
named their station there Milwaukee in 1870 and corrected it to Milwaukie in 1892. As the city center grew further from the railroad and a branch line was built across the Willamette to Oswego
, Milwaukie station was replaced and renamed Lambert for Joseph H. Lambert, a pioneer orchardist who developed the Lambert cherry. The name of the station was changed to East Milwaukee in 1913 and corrected to East Milwaukie in 1916.
The Bing cherry
, among other varieties, was developed in Milwaukie by another pioneer orchardist, Seth Lewelling, who settled in the area with his brother Henderson Luelling.
, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²), of which 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km²) (0.41%) is water.
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As of the census
of 2000, there were 20,490 people, 8,561 households, and 5,282 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,256.5 people per square mile (1,644.7/km²). There were 8,988 housing units at an average density of 1,867.1 per square mile (721.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.96% White, 0.95% African American, 0.94% Native American, 2.36% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 1.60% from other races
, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.
There were 8,561 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,635, and the median income for a family was $51,649. Males had a median income of $36,674 versus $29,957 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,342. About 6.2% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
and restaurants, coffee shops and stores.
Bob's Red Mill
is a modern-day gristmill and natural foods company based in Milwaukie while across the street is the headquarters of Dave's Killer Bread
a popular brand of organic whole-grain breads.
Milwaukie is the home of Dark Horse Comics
. Dark Horse is known for publishing works including Sin City
and the original graphic novel
300
, adapted into a motion picture by the same title released March 9, 2007. The total office space of Dark Horse Comics occupies three of the city blocks in downtown Milwaukie, sporting numerous display windows visible to transit riders.
Milwaukie is served by the North Clackamas School District
and most children attend one of ten public elementary schools, four middle public middle schools, Rex Putnam High School
, Milwaukie High School
, and New Urban High School
. Since 1996, Milwaukie High School has annually hosted the nationally recognized Living History Day. On this day thousands of veterans are welcomed into the school to help educate students about the past. There is also a private Catholic
high school, La Salle High School, named after St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
, and the Portland Waldorf School
, a private Waldorf school, which serves grades K-12.
The city is home to the Ledding Library, a public library that is part of the Library Information Network of Clackamas County
.
Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A very small portion of the city extends into Multnomah County
Multnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
. The population was 20,291 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1848 on the banks of the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
, the city, known as the Dogwood
Dogwood
The genus Cornus is a group of about 30-60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods. Most dogwoods are deciduous trees or shrubs, but a few species are nearly herbaceous perennial subshrubs, and a few of the woody species are evergreen...
City of the West, was incorporated in 1903 and is noted as the birthplace of the Bing cherry
Bing cherry
Bing is a cultivar of the wild or sweet cherry that originated in the Pacific Northwest, in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States. The Bing remains a major cultivar in Oregon, Washington, California, Wisconsin and British Columbia...
. The city is now a suburb of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and also adjoins the unincorporated areas of Clackamas
Clackamas, Oregon
Clackamas was a census-designated place in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 5,177 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.It is the location of Camp Withycombe, a military base...
and Oak Grove
Oak Grove, Oregon
Oak Grove is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Oak Grove as a census-designated place . The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with...
.
History
Milwaukie was founded in 1848 as a rival to the upriver Oregon CityOregon City, Oregon
Oregon City was the first city in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. It is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon...
by Lot Whitcomb, who named it for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. At the time, the Wisconsin city was also frequently spelled "Milwaukie" before the current spelling was adopted. Some accounts also state that the Oregon city used an alternate spelling to prevent confusion at the post office.
Whitcomb arrived in Oregon in 1847 and settled on a donation land claim
Donation Land Claim Act
The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 was a statute enacted by the United States Congress intended to promote homestead settlement in the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest...
, where he built a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and a gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
. Milwaukie rivaled Portland and Oregon City for a time, but Portland eventually became the bigger city because it had a deeper port
Port of Portland (Oregon)
The Port of Portland is the port district responsible for overseeing Portland International Airport, general aviation, and marine activities in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area in the United States....
. Milwaukie post office was established in 1850, with Whitcomb as the first postmaster. The community was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
on February 4, 1903, originally as the Town of Milwaukie.
The Oregon and California Railroad
Oregon and California Railroad
The Oregon and California Railroad was formed from the Oregon Central Railroad when it was the first to operate a stretch south of Portland in 1869. This qualified the Railroad for land grants in California, whereupon the name of the railroad soon changed to Oregon & California Rail Road Company...
named their station there Milwaukee in 1870 and corrected it to Milwaukie in 1892. As the city center grew further from the railroad and a branch line was built across the Willamette to Oswego
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Lake Oswego is a city located primarily in Clackamas County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Small portions of the city are also located in neighboring Multnomah and Washington counties. Located south of Portland surrounding the Oswego Lake, the town was founded in 1847 and incorporated as Oswego in...
, Milwaukie station was replaced and renamed Lambert for Joseph H. Lambert, a pioneer orchardist who developed the Lambert cherry. The name of the station was changed to East Milwaukee in 1913 and corrected to East Milwaukie in 1916.
The Bing cherry
Bing cherry
Bing is a cultivar of the wild or sweet cherry that originated in the Pacific Northwest, in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States. The Bing remains a major cultivar in Oregon, Washington, California, Wisconsin and British Columbia...
, among other varieties, was developed in Milwaukie by another pioneer orchardist, Seth Lewelling, who settled in the area with his brother Henderson Luelling.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²), of which 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km²) (0.41%) is water.
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 20,490 people, 8,561 households, and 5,282 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,256.5 people per square mile (1,644.7/km²). There were 8,988 housing units at an average density of 1,867.1 per square mile (721.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.96% White, 0.95% African American, 0.94% Native American, 2.36% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 1.60% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.97% of the population.
There were 8,561 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,635, and the median income for a family was $51,649. Males had a median income of $36,674 versus $29,957 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $21,342. About 6.2% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Currently, the downtown area of Milwaukie is undergoing a revival in which new apartments and retail space are under construction and a riverfront park is being developed. Existing attractions include a Sunday farmers' marketFarmers' market
A farmers' market consists of individual vendors—mostly farmers—who set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and sometimes prepared foods and beverages...
and restaurants, coffee shops and stores.
Bob's Red Mill
Bob's Red Mill
Bob's Red Mill is a brand produced by Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon, United States. The company was established in 1978 by Bob Moore Bob's Red Mill is a brand produced by Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon, United States. The company was established in 1978 by Bob...
is a modern-day gristmill and natural foods company based in Milwaukie while across the street is the headquarters of Dave's Killer Bread
Dave's Killer Bread
Dave's Killer Bread is an American brand of organic whole-grain breads and rolls started by Dave Dahl, who learned the baking trade growing up in his family bakery. The company is based in Milwaukie, Oregon. Launched in 2005, the company has steadily grown, expanding from 30 to more than 190...
a popular brand of organic whole-grain breads.
Milwaukie is the home of Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
. Dark Horse is known for publishing works including Sin City
Sin City
Sin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
and the original graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
300
300 (film)
300 is a 2007 American fantasy action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant...
, adapted into a motion picture by the same title released March 9, 2007. The total office space of Dark Horse Comics occupies three of the city blocks in downtown Milwaukie, sporting numerous display windows visible to transit riders.
Education
North Clackamas School District
The North Clackamas School District is a school district located in the upper middle portion of Clackamas County, Oregon. This district encompasses the communities of Clackamas, Milwaukie, Damascus, Happy Valley, and Carver.-Board:...
and most children attend one of ten public elementary schools, four middle public middle schools, Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School
Rex Putnam High School is a public high school in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States.-History:The school was named after former Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Rex Putnam....
, Milwaukie High School
Milwaukie High School
Milwaukie High School is a public high school located in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States. It is one of three high schools within the North Clackamas School District. The school mascot is the mustang, and its school colors are maroon and gold.- History :...
, and New Urban High School
New Urban High School
New Urban High School is a public charter school located in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States.-History:NUHS was founded in 2003, financed by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation...
. Since 1996, Milwaukie High School has annually hosted the nationally recognized Living History Day. On this day thousands of veterans are welcomed into the school to help educate students about the past. There is also a private Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
high school, La Salle High School, named after St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle or John Baptist de La Salle was a priest, educational reformer, and founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools...
, and the Portland Waldorf School
Portland Waldorf School
Portland Waldorf School is a private Waldorf school in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States.The school has been accredited by the Associated Waldorf Schools of North America since 2002, and by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools since 2005....
, a private Waldorf school, which serves grades K-12.
The city is home to the Ledding Library, a public library that is part of the Library Information Network of Clackamas County
Library Information Network of Clackamas County
Libraries in Clackamas County is a consortium of the public libraries of Clackamas County, Oregon. It was established in 1977 when the first county-wide funding levy was approved by county voters...
.
Notable people
- Dave HustedDave HustedDavid Husted , of Milwaukie, Oregon, was a right-handed professional ten-pin bowler and member of the Professional Bowlers Association . He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1996....
, former professional ten-pin bowlerTen-pin bowlingTen-pin bowling is a competitive sport in which a player rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.-Summary:The lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels Ten-pin bowling (commonly just...
; three-time winner of the PBAProfessional Bowlers AssociationThe Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
U.S. OpenU.S. Open (bowling)The U.S. Open is one of the four major tournaments in the Professional Bowlers Association. The first modern-day U.S. Open tournament in the PBA took place in 1971 and was won by Mike Limongello. With four victories, Pete Weber holds the most modern-day U.S. Open trophies.The U.S... - Kenneth L. Reusser, Marine Corps aviator
External links
- City of Milwaukie
- Oregon Blue Book listing for Milwaukie
- Historic images of Milwaukie from Salem Public Library