Editing West Linn, Oregon (section)

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2007}}
Prior to settlement by [[Oregon pioneer history|Oregon pioneers]], the area which became known as West Linn was the home of ancestors of some of the present-day [[Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon]].

===19th century===
Major [[Robert Moore (Oregon pioneer)|Robert Moore]] was an early settler who arrived in 1839—before the [[Champoeg Meetings]]—having been the senior member of the first attempt to create an American state in Oregon, the [[Peoria Party]].<ref name="tobie49">{{cite book| last = Tobie | first = Harvey Elmer | title = No Man Like Joe: The Life and Times of Joseph L. Meek| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EjsXAAAAIAAJ| publisher = [[Binford & Mort]] |series= [[Oregon Historical Society]] | year = 1949}}</ref> After journeying around the [[Willamette Valley]] and Columbia Basin, Moore bought title to approx. {{convert|1000|acre}} on the west side of [[Willamette Falls]], across the [[Willamette River]] from [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]], from Native American Chief Wanaxha of the Wallamut Tribe, on which he platted a town he called "Robin's Nest" in early 1843.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robin's Nest |url=https://www.westlinnhistory.org/history/robins-nest |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=West Linn Historical Society}}</ref> He also filed a provisional claim with the then government of the [[Oregon Country]], not knowing if his transaction would be honored by the eventual governing laws. The [[Oregon Territorial Legislature]] voted to rename it [[Linn City, Oregon|Linn City]] on December 22, 1845, as a memorial to Senator [[Lewis F. Linn]] after whom [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn County]] is also named. Linn was a neighbor and family friend of the Moores from their time as settlers in the early [[Missouri Territory]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lewis Fields Linn |url=https://www.westlinnhistory.org/history/lewis-fields-linn |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=West Linn Historical Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Missouri Senator Lewis F. Linn - 1857 |url=https://www.oldoregonphotos.com/missouri-senator-lewis-f-linn.html |access-date=October 22, 2022 |website=Old Oregon}}</ref>

For many years Linn City was a political and commercial rival to the adjacent town of [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]],{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} but it suffered a series of natural and man-made setbacks. A major fire and the [[Great Flood of 1862]] put a halt to the pioneer settlement in 1861, dispersing many of the surviving family members throughout the [[Pacific Northwest]].

The [[Willamette Falls Locks]] and canal were completed in 1873, making the waterfall passable by river traffic. The locks closed in 2011 with no plans to reopen.

The [[Willamette Falls Pulp and Paper Company]] began operation in 1889.

===20th century===
West Linn was incorporated in 1913 and merged with the adjacent town of '''[[Willamette, Oregon|Willamette]]''' in 1916, which had incorporated five years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=121442031931979700 |title=Photographing History |work =[[West Linn Tidings]] | publisher= [[Pamplin Media Group]] |date= June 26, 2008|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> When the City of West Linn incorporated in 1913, it encompassed West Oregon City, Bolton, Sunset and Willamette Heights. The incorporation allowed the settlements to obtain needed services, utilities, and improvements without annexing to Oregon City. After considerable debate about naming, the city founders decided to honor the pioneer town that Moore had established.

The [[Oregon City Bridge]] was built in 1922.

The city's population historically grew steadily, but in recent years has leveled off. The 1860 census listed 225 residents. By 1920, the number had grown to 1,628. The 1960 census set the population at 2,923, and by 1970, West Linn had grown to more than 7,000. The city's population has continued to grow each year. Currently, the city's population is 25,250.

===21st century===
In 2011, the City of West Linn was the Top-Ranked Oregon city on the CNN/Money Magazine 'Best Places to Live 2011' List. Citing 'breathtaking views of [[Cascade Range|the Cascades]] and relatively low local taxes,' the Number 69 listing includes a photo of Central Village, and also mentions the Music in the Park concert series, the historic Willamette area, the farmer's market, and the Street Dance. The [[Sherwood, Oregon|City of Sherwood]] is the only other Oregon city to make the 2011 listing, coming in at Number 100. In 2009, the City of West Linn was included on the 'Best Places to Live 2009' list. Oregonians move to the hilltop homes here for a scenic view of the Cascades and relatively low local taxes. With Portland just 25 minutes away, most residents commute into the city during the week. Weekends are spent enjoying waterfront recreation: West Linn sits at the junction of two rivers. On summer evenings, residents enjoy picnic dinners over concerts in the park. Locals also flock to a revitalized downtown area, Historic Willamette, which offers a farmer's market and, occasionally, dancing in the street.

In 2012, the City of West Linn was named a Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 19th year West Linn has earned this national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. "We all benefit when communities like West Linn place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation's most beautiful resources," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud West Linn's elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest."