Gresham is located immediately east of Portland, in Oregon. It was named for Walter Quinton Gresham, the American Civil War General and the Postmaster General. According to the census of the year 2010, the population was 105,594, making Gresham the 4th largest city within Oregon. It is situated within the county of Multnomah at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Gresham was unable to establish itself as a city without a post office and a postal code. There was a local store owner who provided the use of his store as the local post office and suggested naming the city after Postmaster General Walter Q. Gresham if a post office was established. Prior to this time, Gresham was just referred to as "Campground" due to its environment being a wooded site where pioneers were known to stop and sleep for the night and get refreshed prior to moving onto the Willamette Valley and through to the city of Portland.
In the month of May the year 1884, a post office was established. The town of Gresham became incorporated as a city during the year 1905. The first mayor of the newly established city was Lewis Shattuck who was a son of a pioneer family.
The historic downtown center of Gresham is located in the middle of the city and is truly a hidden gem. With an elaborate blend of more than 150 restaurants, shops and businesses, the place is home to both new construction and old architecture combined.
A former rail corridor known as the Springwater Corridor has been transformed to an alternative transportation hub and a recreational trail. Initially conceived during the year 1903, it is the major southeast portion of the 40-Mile Loop which was made as a nature trail surrounding Gresham. Presently, the loop is over 170 miles long.
The Springwater Corridor runs from SE Fourth & Ivon within Portland to the township of Boring. The completed trail in the corridor is 14 miles long. It begins near Tideman Johnson Park, starting east of McLoughlin Blvd. The trail continues east through Gresham just past the Clackamas County line, serving numerous recreational trail users and commuters on an annual basis.
Gresham is situated in between two of Oregon's key recreation areas; the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood. There is a huge variety of activities offered by Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Forest. Some famous activities comprise camping, fishing, biking, hiking and climbing to the top of the tallest glacial peak within the state of Oregon, an impressive 11,235 feet elevation. In an hour's drive from Gresham, there are many alternatives for people who enjoy snowboarding, downhill skiing and snowmobiling.
The main attractions found in Gresham include: Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre, the Farmer's Market, Rockin' Around the Block Car Show, Gresham Pioneer Museum, the Highland Pub & Brewery as well as the Art Walk and the Mount Hood jazz Festival.