Oregon, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Oregon is a small community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It's not a city or town with its own government, but a collection of homes and businesses. You can find Oregon in Manheim Township.
It's located between the cities of Lancaster and Ephrata. Major roads like PA 722 and the Oregon Pike (PA 272) meet here. A stream called Lititz Run flows through the community. It eventually joins the Conestoga River. Oregon has many houses and a few small businesses, plus farms nearby. You can get around Oregon using Red Rose Transit Route 11.
Contents
The History of Oregon
How Oregon Got Its Name
The community of Oregon used to be called "Catfish." In 1846, a post office was opened here. At that time, the community was renamed "Oregon." This new name came from the distant Oregon Territory in the western United States. The post office served the area until 1912.
Oregon's Early Importance
In the 1700s and 1800s, Oregon was a very busy place for trade. It was an important center for business in this part of Lancaster County. A large mill, run by Jacob Bear, was located here. There was also a tavern where people could stop and rest. Another mill, Bushong's Mill, was nearby in Pinetown.
The presence of Bear's mill was a big reason why roads were built. In 1734, a road was constructed between Lancaster, Ephrata, and Reading. This road was known as the Oregon or Catfish Pike. Another important road connected Oregon to Gap. These roads helped Oregon become a key trading spot.
Churches and Meetings
A Mennonite meeting house and school were built in Oregon in 1792. Today, a United Methodist Church still stands in the community. A very important historical event happened near Oregon in 1767. It was called the "Great Meeting" and took place in the Isaac Long Barn. This meeting led to the start of the Evangelical United Brethren church. A special marker remembers this event.
Modern Oregon Changes
In 1974, the Oregon Dairy, Supermarket, and Restaurant opened in the community. This became a popular local spot. A new highway for US 222 was finished in 1977. This new road changed the landscape and the way people traveled around Oregon.
