Now, I grew up on Bull Mountain in Tigard, Oregon and I had heard stories of farmers, ranchers and cattle which all made sense since I did a lot of horse riding up there when I was younger. (This was long before the housing boom) I promise in the late 70s and 80s there were hundreds of acres of farm land still on Bull Mountain and I rode ever inch of them!
So, yesterday, when I took my kids to my old stomping ground we found something new at a Elizabeth Price Park within all these housing developments. What we found was a little monument that told the story of Bull Mountain and how it really got its name. I actually thought this was pretty cool and I learned a lot.
It seems cattle aren’t native to the United States, but were needed for food and milk. So the first herd in the Pacific Northwest was at Fort Vancouver. But, they were being brought up from California through the Willamette Valley in 1837, a few years before Oregon was even a state.
Well, one of these herds was brought up on a barge on the Tualatin River which passes right by what is now known as Bull Mountain and the entire heard escaped. Now, I guess, it could have been called Cattle Mountain but the entire herd was rounded up except one very stubborn bull. This bull roamed Bull Mountain for many years, alone, grazing on the grass of the mountain and it became known as Bull Mountain after that.
I have to say this story was pretty cool to me and I wish I had known it as a kid, not that it would have changed a thing for me and all those days riding horses around, but it would have a least giving me an answer when I asked how it got its name.
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Todd, That really is an interesting story. Of course that could be because I grew up on a ranch and rode horses all the time, too.
Todd - As standard livestock were not indigenous, they found a way to survive and flourish. The Indians became horse people rather quickly after the Spanish lost their heard. Now if we could just get rid of the bad non-indigenous ...like the zebra mussels, or the fire ant, or Kudzu.
I too live near Bull Mountain for years before moving to the coast. Thanks for the info!
Todd, great photos of your fabulous mountain, and strange looking bull!
You have the most beautiful scenery there... wow.. great photos Todd!!
Love your photos! That bull is as shaggy as the grass he's standing in. Beautiful shot of Bull Mountain!
I can't help but break out in song... ♫ the mountains bow down and the trees will roar at the sound of Your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hand... Forever I'll love you , forever I'll stand... Nothing compares to the promise I have in You... ♪ ☺
Wow I'm really ready for the day now! Thankis! ☺
Joan that is a English Bull rather than the bulls you are more used to seeing in pictures and at rodeos. I have to say I learned a lot about where I grew up there after reading all this and it was pretty cool.
I currently live on Bull Mountian, and the family atmosphere and people are great! :)
Todd, Learning new things about old things is FUN no matter our age and is great to pass along to the little ones!
Hey, Todd! I love your bull, and I really love your story. And wonderful photo - hope you had a zoom lens for this one!
Todd, spectacular view.
It's always nice to learn different things that we can pass on to the kids.
Amazing how one bull took over an entire mountain. People must have loved spotting him.
Enjoy the day
Todd Living in the big city I especially enjoyed your history lesson and photos .. what a beautiful place to live ..
Thanks
HelpfulHannah your friend in Philly
Well, now I have a story to tell my kids tonight! We live on Bull Mountain and they've asked before why it has the name - never had an answer before. I absolutely love this area and even though it has seen quite the housing boom, we still are close enough to a small farm to hear cows mooing. But no bull sightings yet!
Todd, great looking English Bull and its fun adding a history story to property when trying to sell it.
Todd, great pictures and I, like you, love to learn those little tidbits of history. Very interesting.
Thanks,
Cal
Great tales or stories or truisms always capture the readers attention...that's why i am here as many buyers will be for Todd Clark!
I love showing homes on Bull Mountain and getting to tell the story behind the name, I think it helps people get connected to it.
