City (pop., 2000: 136,924), capital of Oregon, U.S. It lies along the Willamette River , southwest of Portland .
Founded in 1840, the town prospered as migration increased over the Oregon Trail . It became the state capital in 1859. It was an early river port whose growth was stimulated by rail connections in the 1870s. It is a food-processing centre for a fruit-growing and dairy area and has wood and light manufacturing industries.