Tillamook County
ORGenWeb

Histories

Tillamook County, a description
Photos

Tillamook County

This county comes next in order of location. Its name, too, is of Indian origin, though in early times it was commonly pronounced Killamook. Organized in December, 1853, from parts of Yamhill, Polk and Clatsop counties, and having an area of fifteen hundred square miles, it has been almost inaccessible until the present year, and has in consequence developed very slowly. Its industries are mainly salmon fishing and lumbering. There are special advantages for dairying, however; and Tillamook butter is an established factor in the Portland market. Traffic is mainly carried on by light-draft schooners, with an occasional steamer, plying between Portland and the beautiful Tillamook Bay. This bay is famous historically; for in it Captain Robert Gray, the discoverer of the Columbia river, had a fierce encounter with the Indians some time prior to his entrance into the Columbia. It is famous now as a summer resort for the people of Yamhill and Washington who have teams for traveling thither. When the potential resources of this county have been fairly developed by proper railway lines, it will become one of the best sections of the state. At present it contains about three thousand, five hundred people, and has an assessed valuation of two hundred and twenty-seven thousand, eight hundred and fourteen dollars. The county seat is Tillamook, situated at the head of the bay.

Source and contributor unknown