Cazadero, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cazadero
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Dam and fish ladder at Cazadero, c. 1904
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 Cazadero
Location in Oregon
Cazadero
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1163860 |
Cazadero is a historic place in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. It is an "unincorporated community," meaning it doesn't have its own local government like a city.
Cazadero was once an important stop on an electric train line. This line was called an "interurban railway." It was operated by the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P). Near Cazadero, there was also a power plant and a dam on the Clackamas River. This dam was known as the Cazadero Dam.
The name "Cazadero" comes from the Spanish language. It means "a place for hunting game." The people who first planned the railway line likely named it after a place in California called Cazadero. A post office operated in Cazadero from 1904 to 1918. It was located near what is now Oregon Route 224.
History of the Railway
The railway line to Cazadero was built between 1903 and 1904. Electric train service reached a town called Boring in 1903. By 1904, the line extended all the way to Cazadero. This railway was first built by the Oregon Water Power and Railway Company (OWP).
However, by 1906, the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P) took over OWP. Later, in 1924, PRL&P became the Portland Electric Power Company (PEPCO).
Cazadero station was located three stops past Estacada on the interurban line. For many years, it was the very end of the railway line. Eventually, PEPCO extended the line further up the river.
The interurban train service stopped in 1933. However, the railway tracks remained in place. They could still be used for carrying goods (freight) for many years after. For example, in 1953, a group of train fans took a trip on an old interurban car along the line.
