Aurora- Oregon Ghost Town

AURORA

NAME: Aurora
COUNTY: Marion
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 1
CLIMATE: Mild winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: Not too far from Portland, a semi-ghost.
REMAINS: Many original buildings.

Not far from Portland is the town of Aurora. Not a ghost town but rather a town that has much to offer given its history. Named after the daughter of its founder, Wilhelm Keil, a Prussian emigrant to the United States in 1836, the town was a haven for the religious group founded by Keil in Missouri in 1845. Keil and his believers prospered for a while in Missouri but certain difficulties during the next few years forced them to think about a new location. The Oregon Territory was their choice and they decided to leave. They arrived in the Willamette Valley and settled near the Willamette River where water was plentiful. The colony thrived despite its detractors from the outside. Keil's autocratic rule lasted for 25 years until outside influences filtered into the colony through the now younger generation. Keil died in 1877 and the colony died with him. The town retains many of its original structures and, given its interesting history, is preserving many reminders of its past. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith	Aurora Courtesy Dolores Steele

Not far from Portland is the town of Aurora. Not a ghost town but rather a town that has much to offer given its history. Named after the daughter of its founder, Wilhelm Keil, a Prussian emigrant to the United States in 1836, the town was a haven for the religious group founded by Keil in Missouri in 1845. Keil and his believers prospered for a while in Missouri but certain difficulties during the next few years forced them to think about a new location. The Oregon Territory was their choice and they decided to leave. They arrived in the Willamette Valley and settled near the Willamette River where water was plentiful. The colony thrived despite its detractors from the outside. Keil's autocratic rule lasted for 25 years until outside influences filtered into the colony through the now younger generation. Keil died in 1877 and the colony died with him. The town retains many of its original structures and, given its interesting history, is preserving many reminders of its past. SUBMITTED BY: Henry Chenowith

Aurora
Courtesy Dolores Steele

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