Tonquin, Oregon facts for kids
Tonquin is a small, undeveloped area in Washington County, Oregon, United States. It is not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it is part of the larger county area. Tonquin is known for its history as a railway stop and for a historic building that still stands there today.
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Tonquin's Railway History
Tonquin was once an important stop on the Oregon Electric Railway. This railway was a special train line that helped people and goods travel across Oregon. The station at Tonquin was built a long time ago, between 1907 and 1908.
How Tonquin Got Its Name
The railway company had a cool idea for naming its stations. They wanted to pick names that were important to Oregon's past. Tonquin was named after a famous ship called the Tonquin. This ship belonged to the Pacific Fur Company, a very old company involved in trade.
Tonquin's Post Office
For a while, Tonquin even had its own post office. It opened in 1909, which means people living there could send and receive letters and packages right in their community. However, the post office closed its doors in 1924.
Tonquin Today
Even though it's not a busy railway hub anymore, Tonquin is still connected to train travel. The old railway line is now used by the Portland and Western Railroad.
Westside Express Service
Part of this line, right where Tonquin is located, is used by a modern passenger train called the Westside Express Service, or WES for short. This train helps people travel between different towns in the area.
The Historic Building
A cool part of Tonquin's history is that the old Oregon Electric substation and depot building is still there! A substation is a place where electricity is managed, and a depot is like a train station where passengers would wait. This old building is a reminder of Tonquin's past as a busy railway stop.
