Oregon City School District’s
Historical Timeline of Events
150 year Anniversary
October 5, 2024
Oregon City School District Celebrates its 150th year as an established school district.
OCSD Adopts Strategic Plan
Spring 2023
Oregon City School District Strategic Plan for the 24-27 School years is published.
Gardiner and Tumwata Open doors to Students
2021
Both of the 2018 bond projects, newly built Gardiner and completely renovated Tumwata are completed on time and on budget, despite challenges such as a global pandemic, supply chain shortages, and rising costs of materials, and open their doors to students.
OCSD Community Supports 2018 School Bond
November 5, 2018
Oregon City School District Community supports the school district in the passage of a $158 million bond to rebuild Gardiner Middle School, fully renovate Tumwata Middle School and provide safety and security updates to all buildings.
OCHS Opens Its Doors
2003
The new Oregon City High School opens its doors to students on the newly expanded Moss Campus off Beavercreek Road.
OCSD Community Supports 2000 School Bond
November 2000
Oregon City community supports the school district in the passage of a $67.5 million bond to build a new high school and add additional classrooms to elementary schools by 58 percent.
¡Todos Unidos! OCSD’s Bilingual Program Begins
1997
Oregon City starts the Spanish bilingual program ¡Todos Unidos!.
Oregon City Misses bond Due to lack of voters
1997
Oregon City Community supports a $65 million bond to build a new high school on the Moss campus, repair the district's elementary schools and remodel parts of Jackson campus but failed to meet the required 50 percent voter turnout.
Oregon City High School Girls Basketball Appears on Cheerio Box
1997
The Oregon City High School Girls Basketball team appears on the Cheerios box after winning four consecutive state championships and three consecutive national titles.
OCHS Expands
1973
Oregon City Community supports the Oregon City School District with the narrow passage of a $7.5 million bond to fund additions to 5 schools.
OCHS Expands
1969
The significant expansion at Oregon City High School includes a new two-story addition, a stadium, and a football field, completed for $500,416.
OCSD Passes $2.72 Million Bond
1968
Oregon City Community supports the passage of a $2.72 million bond to expand Oregon City High School, build Pioneer Memorial Stadium, build Candy Lane, expand King, John McLoughlin (South End), Holcomb, Mt. Pleasant, Beavercreek, and Logan School (Springwater).
OCSD School Board Grows by 2
1995
OCSD school board expands from 5 members to the current 7 members with the merger of Redland School District.
Redland School District Merges with OCSD
1993
Redland School District votes to merge with Oregon City School District over building their own high school per state law.
Moss Jr. High Built
1976
Moss Junior High School is built, named in honor of Sidney Walter Moss, one of the founders of Oregon City’s educational system.
Oregon City High School is Expanded
1969
A significant expansion at Oregon City High School includes a new two-story addition, a stadium, and a football field, completed for $500,416.
Vocal Music added to OCSD Curriculum
1968
Vocal music was introduced into Oregon City Schools’ curriculum under principal Steven Daniel Pope, reflecting early efforts to integrate arts into education.
OCSD Passes $1.983 Million Bond
1964
Oregon City Community supports the Oregon City School District with the passage of a $1.983 million bond to build Moss Jr. High, Gaffney Lane, and Park Place.
OCSD Passes $1.17 million Bond
1954
The Oregon City Community supports the Oregon City School District in the passage of a $1.17 million bond to build Thora B. Gardiner Junior High School, making a major development in middle school facilities.
Smaller Districts Merge with OCSD62
1954
Major consolidations occurred, including the merging of smaller districts like Beavercreek and Maple Lane with Oregon City District 62.
Eastham School Rebuilt
1950
Eastham School was completely rebuilt, with a modern design to accommodate 600 students.
Smaller District Consolidate with OCSD
1940s - 1950s
Numerous smaller districts (Canemah, Park Place, Beavercreek) merge with District 62, forming the modern Oregon City School District.
OCHS Football Team wins State Championship
1937-1938
Oregon City High School's football team won the state championship, solidifying the school’s reputation in athletics.
Jackson Campus Built
1936
A new high school building was completed, including an auditorium and gymnasium. This was part of a district-wide expansion effort.
Public Works Administration (PWA) grant
1935
A Public Works Administration (PWA) grant allowed Oregon City to rebuild Barclay School and construct a new high school building. This was a significant moment in infrastructure development during the Great Depression.
Junior High System Formalized
1935
The Oregon City Junior High School system was formalized, separating high school and junior high grade.
Junior High System Formalized
1935
The Oregon City Junior High School system was formalized, separating high school and junior high grade.
Bus Routes in OCSD
1930
By 1930, the district operated four high school bus routes, which included areas like Clarkes, Logan, and Beavercreek.
Bus Routes in OCSD
1930
By 1930, the district operated four high school bus routes, which included areas like Clarkes, Logan, and Beavercreek.
First School Nurse Hired
1928
Edith Ferrar became the first nurse hired for the school district, working part-time and splitting her time between Oregon City and Milwaukie. By 1934, Mabel Howard became the first full-time nurse.
New gymnasium added to High School
1921
A new gymnasium, later named the Pioneer Building, was constructed for $31,000, expanding the high school’s facilities to accommodate athletic programs.
First school band formed
1917
The first school band in Oregon City was formed, combining high school and grammar school students under the direction of Gustav Flechtner.
First school lunch program begins
1915
The first school lunch program began, where students could purchase meals for five cents.
OCHS’s first dedicated High school is constructed
1910
Oregon City High School’s first dedicated building is constructed at the corner of 12th Street and J.Q. Adams Street for $50,000.
OCSD Passes bond to build first high school
1910
The Oregon City community supports the school district in a special election, voting for bonds to purchase a site and erection of a high school building. It was considered a "mark of progress which the growing city by the falls cannot afford to miss".
OCSD faces overcrowding
1909-1911
Overcrowding forces the high school to relocate to Eastham School temporarily.
The “Hesperian” launches
1906
The "Hesperian," the Oregon City High School yearbook, was launched, publishing every six weeks.
Eastham School Constructed
1891
Edward Lawson Eastham played a key role in promoting the construction of Eastham School, completed in 1893.
Barclay School built
1889
The Twelfth Street School, later named Barclay School, was built, marking the beginning of more modern school facilities in Oregon City.
Oregon City Seminary property becomes first public owned school property
1875
The Oregon City Seminary property was purchased by the City Council and became the first publicly owned school property.
Oregon City School District becomes an officially recognized school district
1874
Clackamas County recognizes Oregon City as District 62 under state law. This district structure became the foundation for future school developments.
Oregon City School District becomes an officially recognized school district
1874
Clackamas County recognizes Oregon City as District 62 under state law. This district structure became the foundation for future school developments.
OCHS Graduates its first class
1870
The Oregon City High School graduated its first class. N.W. Randall, an early teacher and county superintendent, played a role in organizing several early school districts in Oregon City.
Dr. Forbes Barclay suggests Oregon City Seminary
1862
Dr. Forbes Barclay suggested the City Council rent the Oregon City Seminary for public schooling.
Seminary Admits Boys
1858
Oregon City Seminary begins admitting boys.
Oregon City’s first female teacher begins
1856
Oregon City’s first female teacher, Catherine Quivey, began teaching. John D. Post, Clackamas County’s first school superintendent, opened a private school, which lasted two years. Oregon City Seminary opened, expanding the curriculum and was initially funded by Gov. Abernethy and local citizens.
Oregon City’s first primary school was established
1855
The first primary school was established in Oregon City, with Ruben T. Lockwood as the first teacher.
First formal school district created in Oregon
1854
The first formal school district was created by the Territorial Legislature, giving the City Council control of schools.
Sidney moss reopens a school
1853
Sidney Moss reopens a school, marking a shift toward the establishment of permanent public schools. Oregon City’s school became part of a broader public school movement.
Clackamas female seminary founded, and first night school established
1851
The Clackamas Female Seminary was founded by Dr. Atkinson, exclusively for females initially, and was located at the present-day Barclay School site. Oregon City’s first night school was established by A.D. Panburn. The school was aimed at young men who couldn’t attend during the day due to work, offering classes in reading, writing, and arithmetic for $8.00 per quarter. Oregon's first school law is passed, and Oregon City organizes its first public school under the new law. Sidney Moss offers his hotel space for this public school.
First private female school begins
1847
A private female school led by Nancy Thornton begins in Oregon City, marking the early inclusion of formal female education.
Oregon Printing Association publishes Webster’s Elementary Spelling Book in Oregon City
1845
The Oregon Printing Association published Webster’s Elementary Spelling Book in Oregon City, providing vital educational resources.
Sidney Moss opens first school in Oregon City
1843
Sidney Moss opens the first school in Oregon City, in a room above his hotel, which was the first formal education setting in the city.
First Settlers arrive
1832
The first settlers arrived in Oregon City, including Sidney Moss, who later played a role in education.
First School in Oregon founded
1834
The first school within present Oregon boundaries was founded on Joseph Gervais’s farm near Gervais, Oregon, marking a precedent for education in the region.
First School in Oregon Territory established
1832
Dr. John McLoughlin establishes the first school in Oregon Territory at Fort Vancouver. This predates Oregon’s formal public schooling system.