Oregon Territory

Territory of Oregon
Organized incorporated territory of the United States
1846–1859
Seal of the Oregon Territory of Oregon Territory
Seal of the Oregon Territory
Capital
Government
 • TypeOrganized incorporated territory
 • MottoAlis volat propriis
Governor 
• 1848–1850; 1853
Joseph Lane
• 1850
Kintzing Prichette
• 1850–1853
John P. Gaines
• 1853–1854
John W. Davis
• 1854–1859
George L. Curry
History 
June 15, 1846
• Organized
14 August 1846
• Washington Territory split off
March 2, 1853
• Statehood
14 February
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Provisional Government of Oregon
Washington Territory
Oregon

The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848,[1] until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries (see Oregon Country), Spanish "El Orejón"[citation needed] was part of the Territorio de Nutca (1789–1795), later in the 19th century, the region was divided between the British Empire and the US in 1846. When established, the territory encompassed an area that included the current states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, as well as parts of Wyoming and Montana. The capital of the territory was first Oregon City, then Salem, followed briefly by Corvallis, then back to Salem, which became the state capital upon Oregon's admission to the Union.

  1. ^ Stat. 323