West Union, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Union, Oregon
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The five oaks that gave West Union its name
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 West Union, Oregon
Location in Hillsboro Beaverton OR
West Union, Oregon
Location in Oregon
West Union, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Washington |
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
97123
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| Area code(s) | 503 and 971 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1163344 |
West Union is a small, unincorporated community in Washington County, Oregon, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government. It was started in 1851. This community is special because it had the very first school district in its county. It also has the oldest cemetery and the oldest Baptist church west of the Rocky Mountains!
You can find West Union north of Hillsboro. It is near the intersection of West Union Road and Cornelius Pass Road, just north of the Sunset Highway. The name "West Union" comes from a group of five oak trees. These trees were a popular meeting spot for the early settlers, who called it the "union of the west." West Union even had its own post office for a while, from 1874 to 1894.
Where is West Union Located?
West Union is found in an area with small hills and flat plains. Two creeks, Dawson Creek and Waible Gulch, flow through the area. These creeks are part of the larger Tualatin River system. The community is about 249 feet (76 meters) above sea level.
The county describes West Union as being south of West Union Road and north of the Sunset Highway (U.S. Route 26). Cornelius Pass Road forms its eastern border. Over the years, some parts of West Union have become part of the city of Hillsboro.
West Union's First School
West Union was home to the very first school district in Washington County. The first meeting for the school board happened on November 12, 1851. School District No. 1 was led by David Thomas Lenox, James W. Chamberlain, and Caleb Wilkens.
The school building was put up on land claimed by the Holcomb family. Classes started in October 1852, after the school was finished on May 17, 1852. Miss E. H. Lincoln was the first teacher. She was paid $100 for a 12-week term.
The original school building was replaced in 1892. This second building was used until 1949. The school building that stands today opened in 1948. In 1996, the West Union school district joined the Hillsboro School District. Later, Liberty High School was built in the area in 2003.
The Oldest Church and Cemetery
The West Union Baptist Church was started in 1844. The church building you see today was finished in 1853. This makes it the oldest Baptist church west of the Rocky Mountains!
Right next to the church is a cemetery. This cemetery is the oldest one in the entire state of Oregon. Because of its historical importance, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
