Cottage Grove

About Cottage Grove, Oregon

History buffs are drawn to Cottage Grove because so much history has been preserved here. In the 1940s the army corp of engineers built two dams which created Cottage Grove and Dorena Reservoirs, now popular recreation sites. In 1994, the Cottage Grove Historic Downtown District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, alongside the community's numerous historic buildings and covered bridges. A large tract of downtown Cottage Grove is on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes such jewels as the Cottage Grove Armory among its historic businesses, churches and residences.

Bohemia Mining

In the mid-1800s gold was discovered in the Bohemia mountains above Cottage Grove. When mining dissipated in the 1920s, the mountains were left pocked with ghost shanty towns and abandoned mines. However, some ongoing mining patents and active claims still remain. Visitors exploring the area are urged to respect private property and to stay out of mines and buildings for personal safety. A better way to delve into the local history is at the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum which sheds light on this fascinating era. Also, every July the Bohemia Mining Days festival celebrates those trying days.

Covered Bridge Capital of the West

Cottage Grove has six covered bridges, including the only existing covered railroad bridge in the west — the 1925 Chambers Railroad Bridge which was restored in 2011.