Washington Counties In Oregon Territory
Clark County:
Clark County was created as Vancouver Co., June 27, 1844 from portions of
Clackamas and Tuality Counties. In 1849 the legislative assembly renamed the
area Clark County. It's located in the southwest corner of Washington, just
north of Portland, Oregon.
Island County:
Island Co., was the last county created north of the Columbia River by
Oregon's territorial government. Created in 1853, the county originally included
all of northwestern Washington and was carved out of the original Thurston County.
On March 02, 1853, Washington Territory was created and Island County was no
longer under the jurisdiction of Oregon Territory.
Jefferson County:
Jefferson County was created by the territorial legislative assembly on Dec. 22,
1852. Port Townsend was selected as the county seat. It was located on the
Olympic Peninsula. On March 02, 1853, Washington Territory was created, removing
Jefferson County from the jurisdiction of Oregon Territory.
King County:
King County was formed by the territorial legislative assembly on Dec. 22, 1852
from the northern part of Thurston Co. On Jan. 06, 1853, an act passed by the
legislative assembly located the county seat at Seattle. On March 02, 1853,
Washington Territory was created and King County was removed from the jurisdiction
of the Oregon Territory.
Lewis County:
Lewis County was created from Vancouver Co., on Dec. 21, 1845. In 1852, Thurston
Co., was formed from the northern portion of Lewis County. On March 02, 1853,
Washington Territory was created and Lewis Co., was no longer under the jurisdiction
of Oregon Territory.
Pacific County:
Pacific County was established on Feb. 04, 1851 by the territorial legislative
assembly from the southwestern corner of Lewis County. On March 02, 1853, Washington
Territory was created and Pacific Co., was no longer under the jurisdiction of
Oregon Territory.
Pierce County:
Pierce County was created on Dec. 22, 1852 from the northern portion of Thurston
County. The earliest area of settlement was at Fort Steilacoom. Washington
Territory was created on March 02, 1853 and Pierce Co., was no longer under
the jurisdiction of Oregon Territory.
Thurston County:
Thurston Co., was created by the territorial legislative assembly on Jan. 12,
1852. Olympia was established as the county seat on Dec. 22, 1852, and became
the capital of Washington Territory in 1853. Washington Territory was created
on March 02, 1853, and Thurston Co., was no longer under the jurisdiction of
Oregon Territory.
Oregon Counties and the Year Established
Benton County: December 23, 1847
Clackamas County: July 05, 1843
Clatsop County: June 22, 1844
Columbia County: January 16, 1854
Coos County: December 22, 1853
Curry County: December 18, 1855
Douglas County: January 07, 1852
Jackson County: January 12, 1852
Josephine County: January 22, 1856
Lane County: January 24, 1851
Linn County: December 28, 1847
Marion County: July 05, 1843
Multnomah County: December 22, 1854
Polk County: December 22, 1845
Tillamook County: December 15, 1853
Umpqua County: January 24, 1851
Wasco County: January 11, 1854
Washington County: July 05, 1843
Yamhill County: 1843
