A Village Washed Away
Champoeg State Heritage Area

Oregon

May 2019

Stepping into a bygone era!

From an important settlement to a ghost town, Champoeg (pronounced “Sham-poo-ee”, the Kalapuyan word for “edible root”) located in Champoeg State Heritage Area is worthwhile to visit, especially when you like history like me.

Champoeg is the location where the Willamette Valley residents voted to form the first government in the Northwest. Congress had failed to establish a government in Oregon County. On July 5, 1843, the settlers accepted the provisional laws that were based on the U.S. Constitution.

Only 18 years later, on December 2, 1861, the Willamette river destroyed the city with 7 feet of water! By the way, the river was in total 55 feet above its normal level. Where Champoeg once stood, is now a field with only a few wooden stake marks with the street names. I couldn’t stop thinking if ghosts of drowned victims (if any) are wandering around here.

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However, some resilient survivors who lost everything, started over and rebuilt their farm a little further away from the river on higher ground! Today, Donald and Felicite Farmstead’ barn with their original tools and orchard are still here to admire!