Early Oregon Pioneer of the 1840s. Portland, Oregon’s name dates back to a coin flip in 1845. Asa Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove shared ownership of a choice 640-acre (259-hectare) clearing along the Willamette River, near its confluence with the Columbia. Lovejoy wanted to name the site “Boston,” but Pettygrove won the coin toss and named it “Portland,” after his hometown in Maine. Pettygrove’s choice turned out to be apt, because the town quickly became a busy port, which it remains today. Francis Pettygrove went on to found Port Townsend, Washington. His burial is also recorded in Find-A-Grave.
Early Oregon Pioneer of the 1840s. Portland, Oregon’s name dates back to a coin flip in 1845. Asa Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove shared ownership of a choice 640-acre (259-hectare) clearing along the Willamette River, near its confluence with the Columbia. Lovejoy wanted to name the site “Boston,” but Pettygrove won the coin toss and named it “Portland,” after his hometown in Maine. Pettygrove’s choice turned out to be apt, because the town quickly became a busy port, which it remains today. Francis Pettygrove went on to found Port Townsend, Washington. His burial is also recorded in Find-A-Grave.
Bio by: RB
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