Lookingglass, Oregon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lookingglass, Oregon
Census-designated place
The Palmer Camp at Lookinglass in 1908
Lookingglass, Oregon Location in Oregon
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Douglas
Founded by	Hoy Flournoy
Area
• Total	11.58 sq mi (29.99 km2)
• Land	11.58 sq mi (29.99 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	597 ft (182 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	916
• Density	79.10/sq mi (30.54/km2)
ZIP code	97471
Area codes	458 and 541
FIPS code	41-43650

Lookingglass is a small community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It is located in the Lookingglass Valley, about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Roseburg. In 2020, about 916 people lived there. Lookingglass is considered a smaller town near Roseburg.

History of Lookingglass Valley

How Lookingglass Got Its Name

The Lookingglass Valley got its name in 1846 from a surveyor named Hoy Flournoy. He thought the beautiful green grass in the valley looked so shiny it was like a mirror! Later, he even came back to live there.

The Oldest Business in Douglas County

The Lookingglass Store was built in 1852. It was a very important place back then! It was the end of the road for stagecoaches and freight wagons coming from Oakland. It was also the start of the Coos Bay Wagon Road. Today, this old store is still a main spot for the community. It's the oldest business in Douglas County!

Lookingglass also has a school, a grange hall (a community building), a church, and a fire station. The post office here closed in 1942.

Lookingglass in the 1970s

In the 1970s, Lookingglass was a very small town with only about 40 people. It became famous across the country for some funny things it added. These included a parking meter for two horses, a telephone booth, and a fire hydrant. Because of these unique additions, Lookingglass became a small tourist spot.

When the fire hydrant was officially opened in 1971, it came with two manhole covers. These covers didn't actually cover anything! They were given as gifts by an iron company from Eugene, Oregon and the mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Famous Visitors to Lookingglass

In 1974, a famous news anchor named David Brinkley reported live from the steps of the Lookingglass Store. He was traveling through Oregon to film a series of short news stories.

Another famous news anchor, Chet Huntley, had a special connection to Lookingglass. He was the great-grandson of the first settler in the area, Daniel Huntley, who arrived in 1851.

Historic Buildings in Lookingglass

The James Wimer Octagonal Barn is a unique building near Lookingglass. It was built in 1892 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.

Geography of Lookingglass

Lookingglass is located in the western part of Douglas County. It sits in the valley of Lookingglass Creek, which flows into the South Umpqua River. The community is about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Roseburg, which is the main city of Douglas County. You can get there by taking Lookingglass Road.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Lookingglass area covers about 11.58 square miles (29.99 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within its boundaries.

Climate in Lookingglass

Lookingglass has a climate with warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures do not get above 71.6°F (22°C). This type of weather is called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, or "Csb" on climate maps.

The USDA Plant Hardiness map shows that Lookingglass is in zone 8b. This tells gardeners which plants can grow well in the area's winter temperatures.

Demographics

Education

Lookingglass Elementary School is part of the Winston-Dillard School District. This school was started in 1898. Today, it teaches students from kindergarten up to sixth grade.

See also

In Spanish: Lookingglass para niños