BEAVER fever

Nicknamed the 'Beaver State' by early animal trappers, Oregon became America's 33rd state in 1859!

According to our pals over at National Geographic, the origin of the state's name is still debated among history buffs. Some swear it's derived from the French word "ouragan," which means hurricane. Other folks think Oregon's name comes from "ooligan," the Native American word for fish.

If you had to choose between the two, what would it be? Personally, we'd go with "ouragn" over "ooligan."

Photo Credit: Canva Images // Ryan Valenzuela
Photo Credit: Canva Images // Ryan Valenzuela
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CLAIM TO fame

Before we look at Oregon's strangest pieces of legislation, let's do our neighbor to the north west a solid and highlight some of the cool stuff it's known for!

  • The Goonies: the classic '80s flick was filmed in Astoria and on Oregon's beautiful Cannon Beach
  • '80s Gaming: Oregon Trail was a famous '80s video/computer game inspired by the Beaver State
  • Dynamic Duo: Lewis & Clark spun western civilization into a tizzy when they discovered Oregon in 1804
  • Just Do It: Oregon is the home of Nike
  • Portland: Oregon's cultural epicenter built on an extinct volcano
  • Pretty & Pink: the iconic Voodoo Doughnuts franchise with pink packaging got it's start in Oregon
  • Llama Llama: the Beaver State houses 25% of America's llama population
  • Cheese, Please: Tillamook, the oh-so-creamy & famous PNW cheese brand is headquartered in Oregon

Now that we've sung our western neighbor's praises, let's get down to the funny business of discussing their most noteworthy pieces of legislation.

OMG! Oregon Laws Are Awkward & Weird 😆

🦫 Hey, Beaver State fans! Scroll on for a gallery of LOL and oh-so-strange Oregon laws! 

Gallery Credit: Ryan Valenzuela

16 of Montana's Wild & Crazy Laws

✔️ FYI: 'Big Sky Country' is big on crazy!
Surprised? So were we. After all, who expects a state with famously conservative politics and traditional values to have such colorful, crazy-@$$ laws?

PS, it bears repeating that Idaho loves Montana! The Gem State's neighbors to the southwest mirror our own penchant for bizarre laws and quirky customs!

Gallery Credit: Ryan Valenzuela

Washington's Weird Laws: 11 Regulations We Can't Believe Exist

Of all the crazy gin joints in the Pacific Northwest, Washington state is by far the strangest! Laws in the Evergreen State are so weird, it's hard to believe they're real.

🤳🏽 Scroll through the gallery below for a look at Washington's most bizarre-o legislation.

Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela

23 Things Forbidden in Idaho Trash Bins

⚠️ When ridding your Idaho residence of harsh industrial products, solvents, paints, disinfectants, and fertilizers, there's more to know than most realize!

Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela

Idaho Has Crazy Neighbors: Weird Laws in California & Utah [gallery]

Scroll on for a gallery of laws in California & Utah that range from the entertaining to the ERMERGERD.

Gallery Credit: Ryan Valenzuela

TRUE OR FALSE: Can You Guess Which Idaho Laws Are Real?

Let's see how well you do at guessing which of these silly laws are true and which are false.

Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas

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