The Beaver State

Oregon State Nickname

2beaverCastorcanadensis.jpg

Beaver (Castor canadensis) snacks on lily pad

Beaver (Castor canadensis) snacks on lily pad; photo by Ingrid Taylar on Flickr (use permitted with attribution)

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.

Oregon

Images

Beaver (Castor canadensis); photo by Keith Williams on Flickr (non-commercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

Beaver (Castor canadensis)

Beaver (Castor canadensis) in the snow; photo by Peter (BrightGarden) on Flickr (use permitted with attribution).

Beaver (Castor canadensis) in the snow

Videos

Leave It To Beavers (Full Documentary)