A postcard depicting Willamette Falls on the Willamette River, postmarked September 27, 1907. This postcard is part of the Charles Lovell and Winnette Sears Walker Collection. Image credit: Pacific University Archives

An Important Historical Treasure in Oregon

At Cedar & Moss, we’re thoughtful about every detail, even down to each fixture’s name. Our lights proudly boast the namesake of someone we genuinely admire or a key inspiration element, and our Tumwater Collection is no different. Inspired by Willamette Falls, a place of great natural beauty and cultural significance in the Pacific Northwest, the Tumwater Collection is named after the Charcowah village of the Clowewalla band of Tumwaters, an upper Chinookan speaking people, who called the Falls home for many years. 

Situated just blocks from our old studio, Willamette Falls is a natural waterfall in Oregon. It is the largest waterfall in the northwest in terms of water volume, and it’s quite a spectacular sight. The Falls have a rich history of inspiring the people of the Northwest, and they were an important location for many tribes, as Native American oral history taught that the falls were placed there by the ancient Coyote so that their people would have fish to eat each winter. 

A Diverse Community Forms Around The Falls

The abundance of salmon brought tribal communities together to fish and trade at the falls, creating an important cultural and monetary landmark for the region. Numerous tribes would harvest ceremonial salmon at Willamette Falls and collect lamprey during the summer months. Also, European fur traders became aware of the falls in 1810. John McLoughlin established a land claim at the falls in the name of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1829. As this area of the region grew, Oregon City was established in 1842 near the east end of the falls and that town was key to Cedar & Moss’ early growth as a company.

An Enduring Inspiration

Today, the falls remind us of the power of flowing water and the richness and continued inspiration nature brings to our everyday lives. Viewpoints for this landmark are located along Highway 99E south of downtown Oregon City. For a more panoramic peak of the region that includes the surrounding bluffs, visit Interstate 205 around milepost 7.5.