Forest Grove, Oregon
Forest Grove is a city of 26,529 people in Washington County, Oregon, founded in 1840.
Why visit Forest Grove
Townapedia lists 19 museums and landmarks, 20 parks and trails, 56 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Grand Lodge Theater, The Grand Lodge Hotel, Benjamin Cornelius Jr. House and Clark Historic District.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 33°F.
Weather in Forest Grove
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Forest Grove
Forest Grove is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, 25 miles (40 km) west of Portland, within the Tualatin Valley. Originally a small farm town, it is now primarily a commuter town in the Portland metro area. Settled in the 1840s, the town was platted in 1850, then incorporated in 1872, making it the first city in Washington County.
From the Wikipedia article Forest Grove, Oregon (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
The Grand Lodge Hotel
Cinema and theater · 1.2 mi
Hotel and theater in Oregon, U.S
Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center
Cinema and theater · 0.4 mi
2014 Cedar Street, Forest Grove
Museums and landmarks19
Benjamin Cornelius Jr. House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
National Register of Historic Places # 88001034
2314 19th Avenue, Forest Grove
Clark Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic district in Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
Harry A. Crosley House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Historic house in Oregon, United States
2125 A Street, Forest Grove
Isaac Macrum House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic house in Oregon, United States
Painter's Woods Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic district in Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
Silas Jacob N. Beeks House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic house in Oregon, USA
3869 Northwest Martin Road, Forest Grove
Stephen and Parthena M. Blank House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
National Register of Historic Places # 88001035
2117 A Street, Forest Grove
Walker Naylor Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Historic district in Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
Albert S. Sholes House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic house in Oregon, United States
Alvin T. Smith House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Historic house in Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
C. W. Mertz Rental House No. 2
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Historic house in Forest Grove, Oregon, United State
Dr. W. R. and Eunice Taylor House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
House in Forest Grove, Oregon
7 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds20
8 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes56
Ninja Bowl Teriyaki
Restaurant · Japanese · 0.9 mi
3012 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove
Mo-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su closed
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 0.5 mi
2406 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove
Mo-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00; Su 05:00-22:00
Slow Rise Bakehouse
Bakery · 0.4 mi
2007 21st Avenue, Forest Grove
We-Fr,PH 07:00-15:00; Su 08:00-14:00; Sa 07:00-14:00
44 more on the map.
History
Prior to the 1840s when Euro-Americans settled the area, the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya Native American tribe lived on the Tualatin Plains in what is now Forest Grove. In 1841, Alvin T. and Abigail Smith were among the earliest to use the Oregon Trail and settled on what was first known as West Tualatin Plain. They overwintered with Henry Harmon Spalding, arriving in what is now Forest Grove in the fall. Intending to be missionaries, they found little potential as most of the natives had succumbed to European diseases. Smith served as the community's first postmaster beginning on February 1, 1850, and his log cabin served as the post office.
According to Oregon Geographic Names, the name Forest Grove was selected on January 10, 1851, at a meeting of the trustees of Tualatin Academy. Resident and school trustee J. Quinn Thornton suggested the name, which he also had used for the name of his homestead. The name referred to a grove of oak trees that still stand on what is now the campus of the university. Previous post offices in the area were called Tuality Plains and Tualatin, with Forest Grove adopted on December 31, 1858.
From the History section of Forest Grove, Oregon on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay2
Americas Best Value Inn
Motel and hotel · 1.1 mi
3306 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove
Churches and places of worship15
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Forest Grove United Church of Christ
Church · United Church Of Christ · 0.4 mi
2032 College Way, Forest Grove
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 0.5 mi
2700 Leon Drive, Forest Grove
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 1.2 mi
3661 Brooke Street, Forest Grove
Visitation Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 2.1 mi
4285 Northwest Visitation Road, Forest Grove
Forest Grove United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 0.7 mi
1726 Cedar Street, Forest Grove
Shopping4
Gas and EV charging4
Schools, colleges and libraries22
Community Alternative Learning Center
School · 1.3 mi
2701 Taylor Way, Forest Grove
Healthcare3
Map of Forest Grove
148 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F | 33°F | 7.2 in | 0.6 in |
| Feb | 49°F | 33°F | 5.8 in | 0.6 in |
| Mar | 55°F | 36°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 60°F | 39°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 68°F | 45°F | 2.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 73°F | 50°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 54°F | 0.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 82°F | 54°F | 0.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 76°F | 49°F | 1.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 42°F | 3.7 in | 0.2 in |
| Nov | 51°F | 36°F | 7.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 44°F | 33°F | 8.7 in | 1.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Forest Grove Hcn (0 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Washington County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2024-08-09: Lee Falls Fire (Fire)
- 2020-09-15: Wildfires And Straight-Line Winds (Fire)
- 2020-09-10: Chehalem Mountain Bald Peak Fire (Fire)
- 2020-09-10: Wildfires (Fire)
- 2020-09-08: Powerline Fire (Fire)
- 2020-03-28: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Hillsboro Airport (HIO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 8 miles away.
- Cornelius 3 mi east, about 5 min by car
- Hillsboro 8 mi east, about 14 min by car
- Aloha 12 mi east, about 19 min by car
- Bethany 13 mi east, about 22 min by car
- Beaverton 15 mi east, about 23 min by car
- Cedar Mill 15 mi east, about 24 min by car
- Portland 22 mi east, about 36 min by car
- Vancouver 26 mi east, about 42 min by car
- Canby 27 mi southeast, about 44 min by car
- Gladstone 27 mi east, about 43 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Aerial View of Forest Grove, Oregon, Meronim, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Stephen and Parthena M. Blank House - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Benjamin Cornelius, Jr. House, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- 2200 block 17th Avenue - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Silas Jacob Beeks House 2 - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- 2218 C Street - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Harry A. Crosley House - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- 1604 Birch Street in the Clark District - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Isaac Macrum House 2 - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Forest Grove Oregon Woods and Caples General Store, M.O. Stevens, Public domain
- Albert S. Sholes House Cornelius Oregon front, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- C.W. Mertz Rental House 2 - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Alvin T. Smith House 1, Unknown author, Public domain
- Forest Grove Oregon 1st Church of Christ Scientist, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- Dr. W.R. and Eunice Taylor House - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- John and Elsie Parsons House Forest Grove Oregon, M.O. Stevens, Public domain
- James D. Robb House - Forest Grove, Oregon, M.O. Stevens, CC BY 3.0
- McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove - DPLA - 60583407b7b7b768125d3598feaadfa8, Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY 4.0
- Burlingham Hall, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gilbert Hall (Pacific University), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- McCormick Hall, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Department of World Languages and Literatures, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clark Hall (Pacific University), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chapman Hall (Pacific University), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Pacific Index-3, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Pacific Index-2, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Pacific Index-1, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Pacific Index-4, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Knight Hall, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walter Hall, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Student Health and Counseling Center, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Residence Hall Construction, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bates House (Pacific University), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Abigail Scott Duniway House, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pacific Information Center, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- University Center (Pacific University), Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Campus Public Safety, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pacific University Campus Directory, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Student Life, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Price Hall, Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
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