Imagine a straight, west-east line from Oregon coast to the Snake River and the Idaho border. This is the Willamette Baseline, the east west baseline of the Willamette Meridian. The Willamette Stone was a small stone obelisk originally installed by the Department of Interior in 1885
The Willamette Stone Heritage Site is located in the west hills of Portland, Oregon. The surveys completed from this location promoted settlement of the Northwest and began the transfer of land from government ownership to private ownership.
The first marker, placed in 1851, a simple cedar stake, was replaced with a small stone obelisk in 1885. In 1945 the property was purchased to preserve and protect the origin point of the land survey system for Oregon and Washington. A stainless-steel marker, set into the original obelisk, was rededicated in 1988.
The Willamette Meridian is one of 37 principal meridians in the United States. All land surveys and property descriptions in the states of Oregon and Washington are referenced at this point. The Willamette meridian runs north-south, and the Willamette baseline runs east-west through the marker.
The Willamette Valley marks the end of the Oregon Trail and the history of that migration can be discovered at heritage sites, museums, and cemeteries across the region. Known for its premium wines, craft breweries, cideries, meaderies and distilleries the Willamette Valley is also home to unique, one-of-a-kind, independently owned and operated properties awaiting your visit.
Oregon Association of Independent Inns are ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Association of Independent Inns.
Since 1989, the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has served as a statewide information network for its member properties, providing a unified voice for the industry with state regulatory and tourism agencies.
Now known as The Oregon Association of Independent Inns, we’re the same trusted organization, with a new name, a fresh look, and an expanded focus on independent lodging properties beyond traditional bed and breakfasts. Member properties represent a wide range of accommodations, from small guest cottages, cabins, and intimate two-room B&Bs to larger country inns, boutique hotels and dude ranches.
