Oregon state symbols
Oregon Poem
 
Western Meadowlark
Oregon Grape Douglas Fir Oregon state flag
Click on the symbols above to learn more about Oregon.
State Bird
Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark

The Western Meadowlark is 10 inches tall with yellow, black, and white feathers. It lives in grasslands, prairies, pastures, and abandoned fields. It has a flute-like song. The Western Meadowlark is known for defending its territory against other birds and for its yellow breast with a black V on it. The Western Meadowlark is important to the state of Oregon because Meriwether Lewis and William Clark noticed it when they explored Oregon in 1803. The Western Meadowlark became the state bird of Oregon in 1927.




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State Flower
Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape

The Oregon grape is 3-10 feet tall with dainty yellow petals. It grows in the cascades, which are in western North America. The Oregon grape is known for its dainty yellow petals in the summer and dark blue in the fall. The Oregon grape is important in the state of Oregon because the fruit could be used for cooking. The Oregon grape became the state flower of Oregon on 1899.  


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State Tree
Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir

The Douglas Fir can be 330 feet tall with short needle leaves that are about ¾ to 1 ¼ inches long. It grows pinecones. The Douglas Fir is known for the bark that is reddish brown with ridges and deep furrows. The Douglas Fir is important to the state of Oregon because it has very strong wood. The Douglas Fur became the state tree of Oregon in 1939.


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Oregon state flag

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larger image.

Oregon state flag

The Oregon flag has a navy blue background. The words “State of Oregon” appear on the top in gold letters. There is also a picture of the state seal in the center and the year 1859 written in gold on the bottom. This year is important because that’s when Oregon became a state.

There are 33 stars surrounding the state seal, because that’s how many states there were when Oregon became part of the United States. There is a picture of a British ship leaving Oregon on the Pacific Ocean and a U.S. ship coming to Oregon. This shows the British giving up their claim to the Oregon country in 1846. There is also a picture of a covered wagon. This shows how settlers first came to Oregon. A ribbon with the words “The Union” on it means another name for the United States. At the bottom of the shield there is a picture of a plow and a bundle of wheat. This is important in the state of Oregon because it shows that farming is one of the main jobs there. There is also a pickax that shows that mining is a common job too. Near the top, you can also see trees and mountains and the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. At the top you can see an eagle, which represents the United States.

Oregon is the only state flag that has a picture on the back. There is a picture of a beaver, because that is the state animal of Oregon. The Oregon flag was adopted in 1925.

 


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created June 2008
by: Antonio, Silvester ,and Ryan