Brian McVay

Silverton, OR Area Guide

Silverton is a city tucked in Oregon’s foothills, fifteen minutes from Oregon’s capital of Salem and forty-five minutes from Portland. Known as Oregon’s Garden City, Silverton is a community with a passion for the arts with eclectic shops, galleries, and fine eateries. Packed with picturesque views, Silverton is known as Oregon’s Garden City with beautiful state parks and world class Botanical Gardens. The city also offers a variety of recreational choices for the sports enthusiast and camping bound. Whether it’s shopping, history or outdoor recreation, Silverton has something for everyone. Opportunities for golf, fishing, hiking, and a variety of other outdoor recreation abound in Silverton.

Silverton History

The first settlers came to the banks of the Silver Creek, following timber and water power, in the 1800s. In 1846, James Smith and John Barger established a sawmill on the creek and a small settlement, Milford, began to grow. In 1854, Milford was abandoned and the businesses that had started there moved downstream to the current site of the city of Silverton.

Silverton was incorporated in 1885. By 1894, the population was nearly 900. The young town was a trading and banking center of prominence and ranked among the most progressive towns of western Oregon.

By 1921, Silverton industries were producing exports for other areas and even some foreign countries. The Fischer Flour Mills on South Water Street was among the exporters. Power for the mill was obtained by damming Silver Creek at a point near the present pool, diverting water into a millrace that ran along the creek to the mill and then dumped back into the creek.

A short way downstream from the Fischer mill, the creek was dammed again to furnish power for a sash and door plant. Timber drove local industry, and the Silver Falls Timber Co. was once the largest sawmill of its kind in the world. Metal piping was also part of the economy. To this day, metal covers on Silverton streets and sidewalks bear the legend "Eastman Brothers Metal Works." One of the Eastman brothers, L.C., was mayor in the 1920s.

The opening of The Oregon Garden signifies the success of a partnership between the Garden, a private enterprise attracting tourists to botanical displays, and the City of Silverton. The Oregon Garden's expansive wetlands area benefits from the City's excess reclaimed water, while the community benefits from trade the Garden draws to the area.

Silverton Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation operations are performed by the Public Works Department, with services for park reservations and pool operations being performed under contract by the Silverton YMCA. The City also has a cooperative agreement with the Silver Falls School District for public use of certain school Grounds to provide areas for after school organized sports activities.

The City of Silveton has 5 parks that total approximately 26 acres. There are a variety of sizes and activities available in each of the parks. Activities range from hiking trails, picnics in covered areas, small children's play equipment, to boating and fishing. All parks have free admission and parking. Restrooms are available in 4 of the parks and are open during the spring and summer seasons (usually first weekend in April thru the last weekend in October) from 9 AM to dusk.

For a complete list of parks visit the Parks & Recreation Department by clicking here.

Silverton Events

Silverton is home to numerous events offered throughout the year. With annual and semi annual events, from holiday festivities to home grown events, Silverton has something for everyone. These events are family friendly and are great for people of all ages.

For a list of events in Silverton visit the events calendar by clicking here.

Silverton Attractions

Oregon Garden
Conceived as an idea by the Oregon Association of Nurserymen in the 1940s, The Oregon Garden has evolved into a world-class public display and botanical garden. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1997 and the Garden's grand opening season in 2001 welcomed 250,000 visitors. In March 2002 the Garden dedicated the Gordon House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house open to the public in the Pacific Northwest, available for tours on the Garden grounds. Concerts are held in the outdoor Teufel Amphitheater in the summer and the J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion hosts a variety of events during the winter.

Silver Falls State Park
Boasting ten waterfalls and an array of sights as varied as the seasons, Silver Falls State Park is truly the Crown Jewel of OR State Parks. Over seven miles of canyon trails wind past ten (or more, in season) spectacular waterfalls; multiple loops and access points allow hikers to decide on short or longer hikes of varying challenge. An additional 25 miles of multi-use trails allow hikers, cyclists, and equestrians to explore the rest of the park's extensive wilderness. Silver Falls State Park has rental cabins, overnight camping, picnic shelters, and hand-crafted structures including a lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. The lodge and other buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Gordon House
The Gordon House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, widely heralded as the greatest architect of the 20th Century. It is the only Wright-designed building in Oregon and the only one in the Pacific Northwest that is open to the public.

Wine Country
10 local wineries make up the East Valley Wine Group with special vintages and events.

Gallon House Bridge
Oregon's oldest covered bridge. It was named for the days when liquor was sold by that gallon or quart in a nearby house. It was rebuilt in 1990. DIRECTIONS: The bridge is just northwest of Silverton.

For more information on Silverton, OR visit the official website by clicking here.

For the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce website click here.