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The Formation of Beaverton, Oregon

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The original town charter in 1893 stated that the “…mayor and council shall receive no pay for their services… The indebtedness of said corporation shall never exceed the sum or $500, excepting for the purpose of supplying the town with water and light.”

The popularity of bicycling by the early 1900’s prompted the Beaverton City Council to create a special speeding ordinance: If a person or persons operated a bicycle at a speed of greater than eight mph the fine would not be less than $10 and not more than $50. If the violator couldn’t pay, he was looking at time in the town jail for not less than five days or not more than 30.

History of Beaverton Transportation

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Developing a system of roads became a priority in 1849, and by 1850 the Portland-Tualatin Valley Plank Road Company was chartered by the Territorial Legislature to build the Pacific Coast’s first plank roads. Plans called for the road to start in Portland and go out to Hillsboro along the wagon-beaten dirt trail called Canyon Road. Building came to a standstill when the company went bankrupt. Then in 1855 efforts were renewed. Public subscriptions were sold to raise money and a toll was charged for passage: from $1 to $5 for a wagon and team, with additional fees per head for loose livestock. By 1860, Canyon Road to Beaverton was complete, boosting the economic success of Beaverton farmers and merchants.

The appearance of the railroad in 1868 was a catalyst for the incorporation, or legal formation of the village of Beaverton, although it didn’t officially happen until 1893. The officers of the corporation were the mayor, four councilmen, a recorder, a treasurer and a marshal.