Sherwood : Oregon
Sherwood is a city located in Washington County, Oregon. It is a residential community in the Tualatin Valley southwest of Portland. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,791.
History
Prior to western settlers arriving in 1853, the Tualatin Indians inhabited the area.
During the early years of settlement, farmers had to grow nearly everything they needed; twice a year they would undertake the 3-day journey to the town of Portland for staples such as sugar, salt, and syrup.
In 1885, J.C. Smock gave a right-of-way on his property to the railroad, and a few years later planned the town of Smockville around the tracks with his wife Mary Ellen Hall. The town incorporated in 1892, at which time the residents felt they needed a more sophisticated name. Since the surrounding area was reminiscent of Sherwood Forest in England, Robert Alexander, a local business owner, suggested the name.
The main industry in the 1890’s was a brick yard supplying building material to Portland. The buildings in the current day area of Old Town were built during this period. After the brickyard closed in 1895, the economy was based on fruit and vegetable canning and a tannery. Manufacturing is the city’s main industry today.
The population of the city in 1911 was 350 within a 1 square mile city limit, which had grown to 14,050 people and 4.5 sq. miles by 2004.
