Discover the History of Falls City
Founded in 1889 and incorporated in 1893, Falls City has a rich history shaped by the people, places, and stories that make this community unique.
Explore the history of Falls City through photographs, personal stories, historical documents, videos, and more.
Explore the Collection:
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Historical Preservation Information
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Falls City the Beautiful - a poem celebrating the community
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Historic Falls City – photographs and documents
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Development of Falls City - a historical report
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Videos featuring historic sites throughout the community
This website was made possible through a generous grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation. Learn more about the project and the people who helped bring these stories to life below.
The History of Falls City: Voices of Falls City
With generous support from the State of Oregon and the dedicated efforts of the Falls City Historic Landmark Commission, we are pleased to share Voices of Falls City.
The Memories of Ila Estelle
Step back in time through the handwritten recollections of Ila Estelle. Her personal account, The Beginning & Memories, offers a glimpse into Falls City's past through the memories and experiences of someone who lived it.
Explore her handwritten book below.
Historical Preservation
Preserving Falls City's history means preserving the photographs, documents, and personal stories that tell the story of our community.
The City was awarded a Certified Local Government Grant to create a digital home for Falls City's historical photographs and documents. Thanks to this generous grant, more than 650 historically significant photographs and documents have already been preserved and digitized.
Help Preserve Falls City's History
We are continuing to collect historical photographs and documents that help tell the story of Falls City. Do you have old family photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, records, or other materials connected to the community? We would love to hear from you!
Items can be brought to City Hall for digitization. City staff will scan, organize, and catalog the materials before making them available through this online collection.
To contribute or learn more, please contact us:
Phone: 503-787-3631
Email: info@fallscityoregon.gov
Subject line: Historical Documents
Your photographs and documents can help preserve Falls City's history and make these stories accessible to future generations.
Historic Falls City
Photographs & Documents
These photographs and documents offer glimpses into Falls City's past. While we have limited information about many of the images, each one represents a piece of our community's history.
Can you help us fill in the blanks?
Do you recognize anyone in these photographs? Perhaps you know where a picture was taken, recognize a building, or remember a story connected to an image. We would love to hear from you!
Your knowledge and memories can help us identify people, places, and events and preserve these stories for future generations. If you recognize something, please contact us at City Hall. Even the smallest detail may help us learn more about Falls City's past.
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The Development of Falls City
1845-1965
What was life like in Falls City before the town we know today? This fascinating historical report explores the community's early beginnings, from its first settlers and pioneering families to the rise of the lumber industry, arrival of the railroad, and growth of local businesses. Filled with historical photographs, maps, and stories, it offers a glimpse into the people, places, and events that shaped Falls City over more than a century. Whether you're a longtime resident, a newcomer, or simply curious about local history, there's plenty to discover!
Voices of Falls City
Launched in 2024 through the efforts of the Falls City Historic Landmark Commission, Voices of Falls City is a community storytelling project that preserves the memories and experiences of local residents. Working alongside Falls City High School students, project leaders and community volunteers record interviews, gather photographs, and share the stories of the people, places, and traditions that have shaped Falls City. These videos offer a personal connection to the community's past, told by the people who experienced it.
Stories Behind the Buildings
Historic Property Videos
In 2012, the City of Falls City and Falls City School District #57 joined forces on a unique project to document the community's historic properties through video. With a grant from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, high school students became local historians, researching historic buildings, interviewing community members, and producing their own videos using equipment purchased through the grant.
The project was a first of its kind, and its success reached well beyond Falls City. Students and their teacher were invited to communities throughout Oregon to share their experiences and inspire others. In the summer of 2013, the students celebrated their work with a special outdoor premiere at George Kitchin Upper Park, where a large community audience gathered to watch their films.
Explore the videos and discover Falls City's history through the eyes of the students who brought these stories to life!