Drain, Oregon
July 24, 1999

First settled in Oregon in 1847, the site of today's town was sold in the 1860's to Charles Drain. He had led a wagon train the Midwest over the Oregon Trail. Twice elected to the Oregon Territorial Council, Drain also served as President of the Oregon Senate. This town was renamed Drain by the Oregon and California Railroad after he donated 60 acres to them for a depot. Drain was incorporated in 1888 with his son, John, as Mayor.

The physical location of Drain along the Umpqua River was a logical connection for people traveling to the coast. In no time, it was a bustling community, very involved in the timber industry. Still dependent on logging, the economy is augmented by the cultivation and sale of Christmas trees and rhododendrons. Growth of the town of 1,000 people is limited by the steepness of the surrounding hillsides.

At the corner of Main and Alta Vista Streets, stands a huge Victorian style residence built a century ago by the town's first family. Known as "The Drain Castle" and now owned by the city, a volunteer group is renovating the often-photographed structure. Additional historic flavor is found on the Pass Creek covered bridge, located just behind the Civic Center. It's the entrance to this week's North Douglas County Fair. Located just south of Eugene, its our Town of the Week, Drain, Oregon.

Come with us to Drain, Oregon; just listen in.

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