Scappoose History
Once covered by an Ice Age Ocean. Then home to the Diersinno (Keeassino) Indian tribe led by Chief Cassino. Then became the meeting grounds for all the Northwest Indians who gathered each year to hold their contests of skill, gaming, feasts, trading and tribe Pow Wows. This Tribe was a member of the Chinook Indian Tribes headed by Chief Concomley. The Indians named the area Scappoose, meaning gravelly plains
- 1828 Thomas McKey, stepson of Dr. John McLaughlin established a home and horse ranch and married the Princess daughter of Chief Concomley.
- 1828 James Bates, an American Sailor, became the first independent white settler.�
- 1829 A Mysterious plague struck down most of the Indians including Chief Concomley and Tom McKays Wife. Chief Cassino then became the Highest Ranking Chief of the Chinook Tribes.
- 1842 The First Wagon Train rolled to a stop in Scappoose.�
- 1852 The Watts Family wagon train arrived.�
- 1853 The first organized school was built on West Lane Road.�
- 1855 Last recorded Indian uprising in the area. The Settlers hastily built a block house on West Lane Road.�
- 1869 The Transcontinental Railroad was Completed.�
- 1883 The Last Wagon Train reached Scappoose having traveled the Oregon Trail which by now was Six Tracks wide and worn Six feet deep by Ox teams and High Wheeled Wagons.
- 1884 The present town site was Established. A Railroad Depot, Store and Post Office were built.�
- 1908 A Two story School was built on land donated by the Watts family and housed Grades one through High School. The Bell from the Bell Tower can be seen on the lawn of Peterson School.�
- 1912 The first Public School Transportation in Oregon was established using a “Wagon Bus” pulled by a team of horses driven by Gustav Lange.�
- 1920 Founding Fathers voted to Incorporate into a City and Elected James Grant Watts as the First Mayor.�
- 1921 City Charter was adopted and Scappoose becomes an Incorporated City in the State of Oregon.�
- 1922 City Water System installed�
- 1924 City Lights installed
The Only Transportation was by River on Side-wheelers, Sternwheelers and Smaller river Craft�
Watts Museum: The Watts Family home was build by J.G. Watts in 1902 and remained a family home until 1976, when the Scappoose Historical Society established the Watts Museum on the upstairs bedroom area and in the lower level, The main floor housed the Scappoose City Hall. The Museum is maintained by the Historical Society and features items of Scappoose’s Heritage including a Shawl worn by Elizabeth Matilda Nessley Watts, J.G. Watts mother when she traveled the Oregon Trail by Wagon Train, Wooden Yokes used on Oxen Teams and other early history artifacts.