Burlington, Linn County, Oregon facts for kids
Burlington was a small, historic community in Linn County, Oregon, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was located about a mile down the Willamette River from another town called Peoria. Today, Burlington is considered a ghost town, meaning it's a place where people used to live but don't anymore.
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What Was Burlington?
Burlington was once a busy little settlement. It wasn't officially a city, but rather an unincorporated area, which means it didn't have its own local government like a city does. It was part of Linn County.
How Did Burlington Begin?
The story of Burlington started with a ferry crossing the Willamette River. This ferry was run by a man named John Smith. There was also a store owned by John Donald. These were important services for people traveling and living in the area.
In 1853, a man named James Freeman officially planned out the townsite. At that time, Burlington already had a few buildings. There were two houses, two stores, a blacksmith shop (where metal items were made or repaired), and of course, the ferry.
Why Did Burlington Disappear?
Burlington's location on the river was both a blessing and a curse. Over time, the Willamette River started to get filled with silt. Silt is fine sand or mud carried by moving water. This made it hard for boats to reach the landings, which were like docks for the ferry and other boats.
Because boats couldn't easily get to Burlington, the town's population quickly became smaller. Many people moved away. Some of the buildings from Burlington were even moved to the nearby town of Peoria, which was still thriving.
The Post Office and Its Name Change
Burlington had its own post office, which opened in 1855. But it didn't last long under the name Burlington. In 1857, the post office was renamed Peoria. It was likely moved to the town of Peoria at that time. This shows how Peoria became the more important settlement in the area.
Who Founded Burlington?
Burlington was built on land claimed by James Martin. He came to Oregon from a place called Little York, Illinois. His family has a tradition that says Burlington, Oregon, was named after Burlington, Iowa. Burlington, Iowa, was the closest big market town to Little York, Illinois, where James Martin used to live.
Today, if you look for Burlington, Oregon, you won't find a bustling town. It's now known as a ghost town, a quiet reminder of a community that once was.
