1840-1849

1843

First large number of settlers arrived in Oregon and Willamette Valley, having traveled over the Oregon Trail. A provisional government was formed at Champoeg, Oregon

1845

Future site of "Corvallis" and "Oregon State University," near the confluence of the Willamette and Mary's Rivers, first settled by Joseph C. Avery in October and William F. Dixon in the spring of 1846.

1847

Benton County was established on December 23. It originally encompassed 18,660 square miles, from the southern border of Polk County to the California line.

1848

Oregon became a territory of the United States on August 14. (Abraham Lincoln was asked to be governor of the Territory of Oregon.)

1849

Territorial Census in Oregon: 9,083.