Tualatin, Oregon: A City in Touch with Its Ice-Age Past
The city of Tualatin, with a population of nearly 27,000, is located in the southern part of Washington County, just south of Tigard. This small community boasts a number of attractions and activities and events that are of interest to residents and visitors alike.
This “young” city has an interesting prehistoric story. Some 15,000 years ago, the Missoula floods, a series of Ice Age floods, swept through the Willamette and Tualatin valleys. Rocks weighing in at thousands of pounds, or glacial erratics, have been found in the area for more than a century. Currently, these erratics and other prehistoric artifacts are on display at the Tualatin Heritage Center and the Tualatin Public Library. The 100,000 square-foot Cabela’s outdoor store also pays homage to this rich, prehistoric history with artifacts and interpretive signage.
Tualatin is home to various shopping centers, including Bridgeport Village, provides easy access to the Tualatin River, and hosts signature events such as the Tualatin Crawfish Festival, held each August, and the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in October.
The Tualatin Commons, the city’s town center, is a 19-acre promenade and plaza complete with a three-acre lake surrounded by a collection of shops, restaurants and a hotel. Close to the Commons is the city’s library and the city park. During the summer months, the Commons bustles with free concerts featuring a diverse slate of musical genres, held every Friday (June-August).
For additional information about the city of Tualatin, please visit the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce or the City of Tualatin website.
