Toledo, Oregon

European-American settlement in Toledo began in 1866, when John Graham,{{cite OGN|7th|page=961}} his son Joseph, and William Mackey, claimed land made available by the Homestead Act of 1862. The site was called "Graham's Landing" until a post office was established two years later. Joseph D. Graham, John's son, named the post office for Toledo, Ohio, because he was homesick. William Mackey was the first postmaster.

Toledo was made the county seat of the newly established Lincoln County in 1893.{{cite web|author=Hitchman, James H.|title=The Port of Toledo, Oregon: 1910–2010|publisher=Port of Toledo|url=http://artsprogramsupport.com/demo/clientview2/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PORT_-History-Hitchman.pdf|page=5|year=2010|access-date=November 24, 2014}} The city incorporated in 1893 and reincorporated in 1905. Charles Barton Crosno served as the first mayor.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzVEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA585|title=Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon: Containing Original Sketches of Many Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present...|date=June 9, 1904|publisher=Chapman publishing Company|via=Google Books}} The county seat moved from Toledo to Newport in 1953. To make matters worse, an improved U.S. Route 20 bypassed the city, (Special routes of U.S. Route 20) and as a result, many businesses relocated to Newport.

In 1918, the Port of Toledo leased land to the Spruce Production Division for a sawmill to cut airplane frames for World War I. However, before production began at the site, the war ended.{{cite encyclopedia|author=Hitchman, James H.|title=Port of Toledo|url=http://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/port_of_toledo/#.VHNcmcm9YXY|encyclopedia=The Oregon Encyclopedia|publisher=Portland State University and the Oregon Historical Society|year=2014|access-date=November 24, 2014}} C. D. Johnson and associates formed a subsidiary, Pacific Spruce Corporation,{{cite web | url=https://yaquina.library.oregonstate.edu/node/82151 | title=Pacific Spruce Corporation and Subsidiaries: C.D. Johnson Lumber Company, Manary Logging Company, Pacific Spruce Northern Railway Co.: An Illustrated Story Reprinted from the Lumber World Review | date=1924 }} which in 1920 bought the mill and related equipment, which by 1922 processed logs shipped to Toledo by rail and logs floated down the Yaquina River from nearby Lincoln County Logging camps.{{cite web | url=https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/defaults/j67314933?locale=en | title=Pacific Spruce Corporation and subsidiaries : C.D. Johnson Lumber Company, Manary Logging Company, Pacific Spruce Northern Railway Co. : An illustrated story reprinted from the Lumber World Review }} Georgia-Pacific acquired the operation in 1952 and turned it into a pulp mill by 1957.

In 1925, the Pacific Spruce Corporation decided to hire Japanese contract labor to sort lumber in its Toledo sawmill. Managers informed local employees that only the Japanese would work the graveyard shift. The sawmill employees did not object, but local businessmen opposed bringing Japanese workers into the community. Two days after the Japanese arrived, a mob forced a Japanese labor crew to leave town. A year later, Tamakichi Ogura filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court alleging that nine individuals had violated his civil rights by assaulting him, stealing his property, and forcibly removing him from the Toledo community. After a nine-day trial, the jury unanimously agreed with Ogura and awarded him $2,500 in damages plus court costs.Cox, Ted W., [https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/toledo_incident_of_1925/#.WZECueSWzcs "Toledo Incident of 1925"], Oregon Encyclopedia, Portland State University and Oregon Historical Society, Portland, Oregon, 3 September 2015. A book was written about this called The Toledo Incident of 1925.{{Cite book |author=Cox, Ted W. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/60337622 |title=The Toledo incident of 1925 : three days that made history in Toledo, Oregon : the true story of an angry mob, the Japanese/Asians they forced out of town, and the lawsuit that followed |date=2005 |publisher=Old World Publications |isbn=978-0-9760891-0-0 |oclc=60337622}}

Between 1927 and 1944, the Creamery Package Manufacturing Company, based in Chicago, operated a substantial sawmill and stock cooperage in Toledo. This mill was dedicated to producing butter tub stock, churning out up to two million spruce butter tubs annually. These tubs were shipped as knockdown kits via rail to three Midwestern factories for regional assembly and distribution, with most designed to hold a generous 63 pounds of butter.{{cite web | url=https://www.newportnewstimes.com/coast_life/author-to-share-some-toledo-history/article_9ef3e1a8-7447-11ee-a773-f796534d9f74.html | title=Author to share some Toledo history | date=November 2, 2023 }}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|2.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.23|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-07-02}}

{{Weather box

|location = Toledo, Oregon

|single line = Y

|collapsed = Y

|Jan record high F = 77

|Feb record high F = 77

|Mar record high F = 83

|Apr record high F = 88

|May record high F = 94

|Jun record high F = 100

|Jul record high F = 100

|Aug record high F = 98

|Sep record high F = 97

|Oct record high F = 94

|Nov record high F = 88

|Dec record high F = 73

|year record high F= 100

|Jan high F = 51.0

|Feb high F = 53.9

|Mar high F = 56.4

|Apr high F = 59.8

|May high F = 64.1

|Jun high F = 67.8

|Jul high F = 72.1

|Aug high F = 72.9

|Sep high F = 70.4

|Oct high F = 62.9

|Nov high F = 54.4

|Dec high F = 49.1

|Jan low F = 38.1

|Feb low F = 38.1

|Mar low F = 39.6

|Apr low F = 41.4

|May low F = 45.2

|Jun low F = 49.2

|Jul low F = 52.0

|Aug low F = 52.1

|Sep low F = 49.0

|Oct low F = 45.2

|Nov low F = 41.1

|Dec low F = 37.2

|Jan record low F = 4

|Feb record low F = 12

|Mar record low F = 21

|Apr record low F = 20

|May record low F = 28

|Jun record low F = 30

|Jul record low F = 33

|Aug record low F = 32

|Sep record low F = 31

|Oct record low F = 25

|Nov record low F = 18

|Dec record low F = 1

|year record low F= 1

|Jan precipitation inch = 10.94

|Feb precipitation inch = 9.22

|Mar precipitation inch = 8.41

|Apr precipitation inch = 5.42

|May precipitation inch = 3.94

|Jun precipitation inch = 2.83

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.09

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.12

|Sep precipitation inch = 2.63

|Oct precipitation inch = 5.46

|Nov precipitation inch = 11.56

|Dec precipitation inch = 12.30

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan snow inch = 0.1

|Feb snow inch = 0.6

|Mar snow inch = 0.1

|Apr snow inch = 0

|May snow inch = 0

|Jun snow inch = 0

|Jul snow inch = 0

|Aug snow inch = 0

|Sep snow inch = 0

|Oct snow inch = 0

|Nov snow inch = 0

|Dec snow inch = 0.1

|year snow inch = 0.9

|source 1 = {{cite web|url=https://www.plantmaps.com/97391|title=Zipcode 97391|website=www.plantmaps.com|access-date=May 12, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/oregon/toledo|title=Climate in Toledo, Oregon|website=www.bestplaces.net|access-date=May 12, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/710ec502fb22b4829fb5459347bc7a58f787d251ab6ed38b266f75b2f3311866|title=Toledo, OR Monthly Weather Forecast|publisher=The Weather Channel|access-date=May 12, 2023}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1900= 302

|1910= 541

|1920= 678

|1930= 2187

|1940= 2288

|1950= 2323

|1960= 3053

|1970= 2818

|1980= 3151

|1990= 3174

|2000= 3472

|2010= 3465

|2020= 3546

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:41&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-21}} of 2010, there were 3,465 people, 1,331 households, and 907 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1589.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,474 housing units at an average density of {{convert|676.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.9% White, 0.6% African American, 3.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.

There were 1,331 households, of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.9% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,472 people in the city, organized into 1,312 households and 926 families. The population density was {{convert|1,602.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,474 housing units at an average density of {{convert|680.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.88% White, 3.37% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.23% African American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 3.40% from two or more races. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,312 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,503, and the median income for a family was $39,597. Males had a median income of $35,104 versus $22,297 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,710. 19.3% of the population and 18.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 26.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

There are two public schools in Toledo, which are part of the Lincoln County School District: Toledo Elementary School (K–6) and Toledo High School (7–12). Toledo High School is a combination junior high and high school, and serves students in seventh through twelfth grade.[http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=104 Toledo High 7–12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051025040740/http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=104 |date=2005-10-25 }} from the Lincoln County School District website

Toledo is now the western terminus of a Portland and Western Railroad line. This route was once part of the Oregon Pacific Railroad,{{cite book | last=Gavin| first=Scott| title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Oregon Pacific, Oregon's Most Controversial Railroad | year=2016| publisher=Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society | isbn=978-1-937493-92-9 }} which was completed from Yaquina City through Toledo to Corvallis in 1885. This railroad later linked the city to Albany in 1887, with a 4000 foot long bridge across the Willamette River, in the Willamette Valley.{{cite encyclopedia|author=Gordon, Gregg|title=Corvallis and Eastern Railroad|publisher=Portland State University and the Oregon Historical Society|encyclopedia=Oregon Encyclopedia|url=http://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/corvallis_eastern_railroad/#.VG-LNMm9YXY|access-date=2014-11-21}} The city is also served by the port authority (the Port of Toledo), and Toledo State Airport.

The area's railroad history is preserved and celebrated at the Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society (YPRHS) in Toledo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yaquinapacificrr.org/|title=Yaquina Pacific Railroad HS}} Two local and historic Georgia-Pacific locomotives are on display at the museum. One locomotive is the "One Spot", a 2-8-2 steamer built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1922. This locomotive spent its entire working career within Lincoln County, from 1922 to 1959.{{cite web | url=https://toledooregonhistory.org/toledo-oregon/#:~:text=Residents%20and%20visitors%20enjoy%20discovering,permanent%20display%20near%20Toledo%27s%20waterfront. | title=Toledo Oregon }} The other locomotive at the museum is a GE 50 ton diesel, built in 1951 for the C.D. Johnson Lumber Co as their No. 8, which was later purchased by Georgia-Pacific.{{Cite journal | url=http://www.yaquinapacificrr.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Fall-2015.pdf | title=Georgia Pacific Corporation Donates #8, a GE 45 Tonner Diesel to Railroad Society! | journal=Yaquina Shortline | volume=22 | issue=2 }} It was donated in 2016 to YPRHS. The Museum also has a restored Southern Pacific 1923 Railway Post Office / Baggage car.{{cite web | url=https://www.yaquinapacificrr.org/about-our-rolling-stock/ | title=Rolling Stock – Yaquina Pacific Railroad HS }}{{cite web | url=https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/this-railway-post-office-sp5132-train-car-built-in-1923-was-used-by-souther/#:~:text=R.P.O.%22%2C(rail-,This%20Railway%20Post%20Office%2DSP5132%20train%20car%20built%20in%201923,office)%2Cremaining%20in%20Oregon. | title=This Railway Post Office-SP5132 train car built in 1923 was used by Southern Pacific Railroad to sort and deliver mail throughout the pacific northwest. Rumored to be the only restored }}

On 3 August 1893, Toledo became the first city to have a railroad depot made out of brick in Oregon.{{cite web|author=University of Oregon|title=Lincoln County leader., August 3, 1893, Image 4|publisher=Lincoln County leader. and University of Oregon|work=Oregon News|url=https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85033162/1893-08-03/ed-1/seq-4/#words=brick+depot+Toledo|access-date=2020-06-04}} The reason to build a depot had to do with a dispute of a twenty-foot strip of land. The city of Toledo, at the time, had no depot provided to the citizens. However, the citizens of Toledo made a demand on the railroad commissioners asking that the Oregon Pacific be forced to provide reasonable accommodations there.{{cite web|author=Nash, Wallis|title=The Oregon Pacific Railroad, Its Inception, Present Condition and Needs, with Some Suggestions as to Its Future Development

|publisher=Bacon Printing Company|work=Harvard University|year=1893

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3MpAAAAYAAJ&dq=first+brick+depot+in+oregon&pg=RA1-PA36|access-date=2020-06-04}} The people of Toledo and Oregon Pacific agreed to a contract: the people would pay $250 in money and to furnish an equal amount of labor on the building. Oregon Pacific, in return, agreed to erect within sixty days from the date of the contract a brick depot building at Toledo of the size and dimensions as before agreed upon at 20 feet by 60 feet.{{cite web|author=University of Oregon|title=Lincoln County leader., April 27, 1893, Image 4|publisher=Lincoln County leader. and University of Oregon|work=Oregon News|url=https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85033162/1893-04-27/ed-1/seq-4/#words=brick+depot+Toledo|access-date=2020-06-04}} The depot was later expanded and stuccoed by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1922-1923. The depot was torn down in 1961 to make way for street improvements.{{cite book | last=Palmer| first=Lloyd| title=Steam Towards the Sunset | year=1982| publisher=Lincoln County Historical Society | isbn=0-911443-00-2 }}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/local/cities/s-y/toledo.aspx Entry for Toledo] in the Oregon Blue Book
• [http://photos.salemhistory.net/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=all&CISOBOX1=&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP2=exact&CISOBOX2=Toledo%2C%20Oregon&CISOFIELD2=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP3=any&CISOBOX3=&CISOFIELD3=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOOP4=none&CISOBOX4=&CISOFIELD4=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=all&t=a Historic images of Toledo] from the Salem Public Library Historic Photograph Collection

{{Subject bar|portal1=Oregon|d=Q2400170|voy=Toledo (Oregon)|commons=Toledo, Oregon|auto=yes|commonscat=Toledo, Oregon|portal2=United States}}{{Lincoln County, Oregon}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1905 establishments in Oregon

Category:Cities in Lincoln County, Oregon

Category:Cities in Oregon

Category:Populated places established in 1905

Category:Port cities in Oregon

Category:Former county seats in Oregon