Gresham

The history of Gresham, Oregon, is rooted in the pioneers who trekked along the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. Traveling down the Columbia River or over the precipitous route by scenic Mount Hood, they arrived in what was then called Powell Valley, so named by the first settlers. They found trees that were unparalleled, tall, and straight, which they used to build their first communities. The rich, fertile land was cleared to grow an array of crops that would eventually make the area well known for its agriculture.

George R. Miller is a native Pacific Northwesterner who settled in the Gresham area in the early 1980s. By trade he is a meteorologist, having worked for the federal government for over 35 years. Writing captured his interest after he retired from the National Weather Service in 1994. He has since authored two books and written numerous articles on weather and weather events in the Pacific Northwest. Historical weather events kindled his interest in local history. He has used historical photographs from the Gresham Historical Society and the Oregon Historical Society to compile this history of Gresham.