The Beaver State

Oregon's Unofficial Nickname

Oregon is nicknamed "The Beaver State," though this has not been made official by Oregon legislature. The beaver is also Oregon's official state animal and appears on the state flag. All State Nicknames

The nickname originated in the early 19th century when fur hats were fashionable and Oregon streams were an important source of beaver pelts. The trapping routes used by early "mountain men" later became known as "The Oregon Trail," traveled by thousands of pioneers in the 1840's.