Oakland Historic District

Historic Oakland was the first community in Oregon to adopt a local program to protect its historic resources, thus becoming the first historic district in the state.  In 1979 the district was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Oakland Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the district through outreach, education and heightened awareness of the need to keep our history alive. 

Established in 1851, Oakland has a rich history that is displayed in structures throughout the town and preserved by property owners who appreciate the link to our past.  Antique shops and restaurants also reflect the flavor of the turn of the 20th century in Oakland. With more than 90 buildings, many lovingly restored, dating from the early 1800s to the early 1900s, this little town is a “step back in time” to an era when the main street was hub of activity and the railroad was “king.”  Admission to the Oakland Museum is free, and it features displays of daily life in 1800s Oakland, along with many railroad and timber artifacts.  A Walking Tour brochure lists the historic buildings and sites in Oakland with a brief history of the “town that moved.”  Oakland, originally situated northeast of its current location, moved to service the railroad along Calapooya Creek.  The brick buildings of downtown are examples of varied architecture popular in the mid- to late 1800s.

• ADA accessible
• Interpretive signage
• Located on both public and private land