Jefferson, Oregon - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

"JEFFERSON, 74.3 m. (241 alt., 391 pop.), is on the north bank of the Santiam River. Once it was the head of navigation on the Santiam, though travel on any part of the river was difficult except during high water. Jefferson was formerly the seat of a pioneer school known as Jefferson Institute. The Scottish botanist, David Douglas, discovered many interesting plants in this vicinity, among them the native tobacco. On November 15, 1826, he swam the cold, swollen stream and thought nothing of danger, though mourning because his precious collection of plants had become soaked in the crossing." -Oregon: End of the Trail, 1940, pp. 310-311

Today the city of Jefferson has a population of 3,133 (as of 2011) and is the self-proclaimed "Mint Capital of the World" and "Frog Jumping Capital of Oregon." One weekend each summer it is home to the "Mint Festival & Frog Jump," featuring a pancake breakfast, parade, car show, live music and, of course, a frog-jumping contest.

Note: Click a photo to enlarge

Jacob Conser House	Post Office
Fire Department	T.M. & Emma Witten Drug Store & House
Jacob Conser Bridge	Jefferson Methodist Church