Canby, Oregon Relocation Guide

Canby is located in Clackamas County, south of Portland. On the high plateau, bordered by the Willamette and Molalla Rivers, Canby was once the seasonal meeting place for tribes of local Indians and was well known for its annual crop of wild strawberries. The area now known as Baker Prairie was an open expanse of ground in the dense fir forest that stretched for miles.

Canby is famous as the state's garden spot (flowers). Famous landmarks include Swan Island Dahlia Farm, the Canby Ferry which transports passenger across the scenic Willamette River to Stafford area near Wilsonville. St. Josf's Wine Cellar, Canby Depot Museum, is one of the oldest remaining railroad stations in Oregon. Canby Grower's Market, Fir Point Produce and Hoffman's Dairy Garden, which hosts a number of farm festivals.

Along with a meager network of dirt roads and trails, some still visible, such as Territorial Road with its tall fir trees lining the road, the Willamette River served as main transportation. Steamboats took produce into the markets of Oregon City and Portland from the little local communities of Baker Prairie, Barlow, New Era, Riverside, Macksburg, Mundorff, Lone Elder, Mark Prairie and others.

Canby was incorporated on February 15, 1893, making it the second oldest city in Clackamas County. Now Canby boasts a population of over 13,000, and the city covers a three-square mile area. Many of the early buildings and homes in the original 24-block town site still exist.

Currently, Canby is undergoing a downtown rehabilitation, ensuring the buildings that are there retain the feel and authenticity of their period. This rehabilitation includes not only commercial buildings, but homes in the downtown area.

Quiet streets lined with flowers beautify the homes in the summer months and Oak trees provide color for the wonderful fall months. Most home choices are limited to single-family dwellings, and they range in price from $100,000 to $300,00 for most three or four-bedroom homes in the town limits. Early farmhouses and barns, reminders of Canby's early pioneer, railroad and agricultural heritage surround the city. Larger properties are available outside the city limits, and you can also buy land and build the home of your dreams.

Like the rest of this part of Oregon, rain is the order of the day! If you like wet weather then you will love Canby and indeed any part of this county! An average of 40 inches falls each year, although the area has been known to receive 150 inches! It seldom snows, except in the mountains, and the winters are mild.

Canby is perfectly situated for a quick commute to Portland or Oregon City. Located just off the main roads, it is off the beaten track, but close enough to get on the main "drag" fast. There is plenty of employment in this area, which is one reason why it is such a popular place to live.

Canby has the perfect mixture of new and old, and also of rural and urban. For those who need to commute, imagine leaving your worries at the office and coming home to a completely different world! Canby can do that for you.

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