This is a fast growing area south of Portland with a flood of new businesses and residential areas. Not long ago this was a sleepy area mainly agricultural based. Today, because of its location between Portland and Salem, the State Capital, Wilsonville is the only city in Oregon with more jobs than population.

Where is Wilsonville?

Wilsonville, OR is located at Interstate-5 Exit 283. Wilsonville is 17 miles South of Portland, OR

Wilsonville is in both Washington and Clackamas counties. We are fairly sure that makes Wilsonville unique among cities.

Canby Ferry

There are only a few car ferries left in Oregon and the Canby Ferry is one of them. This historic ferry site has been in operation since 1914. It can carry nine autos and 49 passengers.

Crossing the river on this ferry is a unique experience in these days of super bridges and interstate highways ( Interstate-5 crosses the Willamette River only 3.5 mi. downstream)

Directions

To find the ferry take I-5 Exit 283 and travel east then north for 2 miles on the Wilsonville Road then turn right on the Advance Road. Travel 2.5 miles east on the Advance Road to the SW Mountain Road. Turn right on the SW Mountain Road and go 1.3 miles south to the ferry.

Visit the Canby Ferry web site.

Canby Ferry Map

From the Clackamas County Dept.

of Transportation web site.

A little about Wilsonville

Wilsonville has a population of about 14,000 people. The Willamette River runs from west to east on the southern edge of Wilsonville before it turns north toward Lake Oswego and Oregon City. At the turn of the century (1900’s) there were two forms of transportation, river boat and wagon trail. The Willamette River posed a sizeable obstacle traveling southward in the area and Boones Ferry, established in 1849, was the answer to the problem for most of the traffic headed north or south.

Today there is a park at the south end of the Boones Ferry Road, west of I-5, where the ferry crossed the river. Where once there was a busy ferry crossing the river it was replaced, first by the railroads and then by highways. Today the river is less important to Wilsonville for transportation and instead is a focus of recreation. You can find a remnant of the river ferry days still operating 1.3 miles downstream (east), the Canby Ferry.

In the early 1900’s Wilsonville had a general store, a hotel, a hardware store, and several other businesses. It was a farming community supplying goods and services to the farms in the area that grew mainly hops and fruit and grew cattle and hogs. Wilsonville is named after Charles Wilson, Wilsonville’s first Postmaster.

Today, Wilsonville has lost its quiet farm community atmosphere as the Portland Metropolitan area expands southward. During rush hour the Wilsonville area experiences gridlock like most modern cities. However, Wilsonville has maintained the warm feeling of its rural background.

Recommended Attractions in Woodburn, OR

Attractions


Museums


Parks
Town Center Park – Visitor Center 2980 SW Park Place Wilsonville, OR Town Center Park Web Site. A place to stop and let the kids stretch. Just northwest of I-5 Exit 283. Go 1 block east from exit, turn north on Town Center Loop, go north one block and turn right on Park Place, it will be at the Visitor’s Center. Children’s play area, picnic tables, picnic shelter, Korean War Veteran’s Memorial, cascading water feature with a 0-depth entry pond and bubbler elements. Restrooms located in the Visitors Center.	Murase Plaza Park 8300 SW Memorial Drive Wilsonville, OR Murase Plaza Park Web Page. A place to stop and let the kids stretch. Located 0.4 mi. east of Exit 283 at the corner of the Wilsonville Road and Memorial Drive.. This park is located by Wilsonville’s Library. 2 picnic shelters, amphitheater, children’s play area, historic barn and nut drying hut, natural areas, picnic tables, restrooms, trail system, and water features. Wilsonville Parks Web Page Wilsonville Parks Web Page.
Boones Ferry Park 31240 SW Boones Ferry Road Wilsonville, Oregon The Park's web site Located on the Willamette River. The historic Tauchman House is located in the park. It was the home of the operator of the historic Boones Ferry. The park has a children’s play area, picnic tables, parking, and restrooms.
Visitor Information
The Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce 29600 SW Park Place PO Box 3737 Wilsonville OR 97070 Phone: 503-682-3314or 1-800-647-3843 web page: http://www.wilsonvilleChamber.com The Visitors Center is located in Town Center Park, see directions above.	City of Wilsonville 29799 Town Center Loop East Wilsonville, OR 97070 503-682-1011 http://www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/ Clackamas County Family History Society Website.
Clackamas County 2051 Kaen Road Oregon City, OR 97045 503-655-8581 http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/	Washington County 155 N First Avenue #300 Hillsboro, OR 97124 503-846-8685 Visit the County's website.

Listed Attractions in Wilsonville, OR

We have not necessarily visited or recommend listed businesses.

Antiques

Great American Collectibles – 877-399-3111

10283 SW Evergreen Ct, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Art Galleries

Millennium Fine Arts – 503-570-0373

9126 SW Ridder Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Gift Shops

Barn Owl Nursery – 503-638-0387

22999 SW Newland Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070

For Counsel – 503-682-8070

10965 SW Commerce Cir #E, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Hallmark Hill’s – 503-682-2442

8249 SW Wilsonville Rd #D, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Ornaments to Remember – 503-582-8959

28170 SW Boberg Road #1, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Petal Patch Flowers & Gifts – 503-682-3691

29955 SW Boones Ferry Rd #B, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Golf

Charbonneau Golf Club – 503-694-1246

32020 SW Charbonneau Dr, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Sandelie West 9 – 503-682-2022

3030 SW Advance Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Parks & Amusement Centers

Town Center Park – Visitor Center – see recommended parks above

Murase Plaza Park – see recommended parks above

Wilsonville Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant – 503-685-5000

2911 SW Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, OR 97070 www.fun-center.com

Museums

Parks/Gardens

Quilting/Needlecrafts

Speckled Hen Quilts – 503-570-3368

30789 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Ste K, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Scrapbooking/Crafts

Bead Frenzy – 503-685-9342

29970 SW Town Center Loop, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Theatres

Regal Wilsonville Town Center 9 – 800-326-3264x333

29300 SW Town Center Loop, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Tours / Charters / Attractions

Wine

Carabella Vineyard – 503-699-1829

Edminston Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070

Wine Xing LLC – 503-582-8355

25977 SW Canyon Creek Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070

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