United States Post Office Centenary of Oregon Territory

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 14 August 1948, in Oregon City, Oregon, issued a 3-cent postage stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Oregon Territory. 

It featured inset portraits of John McLoughlin (left) and Jason Lee (right), two pivotal figures in the early history of the Oregon region. 

The centre image depicted a covered wagon being pulled by oxen on the Oregon Trail, symbolising the westward migration. 

John McLoughlin (1784-1857) was director of the Hudson Bay Company (a British Trading firm) in the Oregon region from 1824-46. During that time, he effectively governed the region and did a great deal to encourage and aid settlers. Remembered as the father of Oregon, he eventually became a U.S. citizen.

Rev. Jason Lee (1803-45) played a key role in organising the settlement of Oregon and establishing its territorial government. Lee presided over Oregon's first territorial organisation meeting in 1841. Later, he helped to form the territory's provisional government. Unfortunately, Rev. Lee died before the Oregon Territory was formed. Lee represents Oregon in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.