Marmot, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marmot
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 Marmot
Location in Oregon
Marmot
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas |
| Elevation | 1,273 ft (388 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1145822 |
Marmot is a small, unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that isn't part of an official city or town. It's located in the Mount Hood Corridor, which is an area leading to Mount Hood.
Marmot sits on a ridge called Devil's Backbone. This ridge is found between the Sandy River and the Little Sandy River. It's also along the historic Barlow Road, which was the final part of the famous Oregon Trail used by pioneers.
How Marmot Got Its Name
The community of Marmot was named by Adolph Aschoff. He was a German immigrant who worked as a forester and guide near Mount Hood. In 1883, he settled near the Sandy River.
Aschoff noticed many animal burrows in the area. Local people told him these burrows were made by marmots. However, he later found out that the burrows were actually made by mountain beavers. Mountain beavers are another type of rodent, but they are not true beavers or marmots.
When a post office was opened in Marmot around 1886, Aschoff and two friends decided to name it "Marmot." They chose this name because of the earlier mistake about the animals.
A Changing Community
In the 1920s, the Mount Hood Highway was built. This new road changed how people traveled. It diverted traffic away from Marmot, meaning fewer visitors came to the area. This also meant fewer guests for Aschoff's hotel.
Adolph Aschoff sold his hotel in 1930. He passed away soon after. The Marmot post office was also closed in 1930.
Most of the buildings in Marmot were destroyed by fire in 1931. Only a few structures, like Aschoff's museum, the post office, and a store, survived the fire. Sadly, none of these original buildings are still standing today.
