Oregon is full of amazing natural wonders like Crater Lake and Multnomah Falls, but did you know the Beaver State is also home to some jaw-dropping man made wonders? Fountains, churches, bridges, lighthouses, sculptures…. Oregon is full of countless beautiful structures. Here are 16 of the most breathtaking man (or woman) made wonders in Oregon.
- The Capitol Fountain in Salem
Flickr/ Edmund Garman This amazing sculptural fountain is located in Salem.
- Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Flickr/ Rennett Stowe The lovely Yaquina Head Lighthouse is allegedly the most photographed lighthouse in the country.
- St. John’s Bridge
Flickr/ Karl Hutchinson
Flickr/ Noël The historic St. John’s Bridge is a gorgeous, iconic Portland landmark. Underneath the bridge you’ll find Cathedral Park.
- University of Oregon Academic Center
Flickr/ Maciek Lulko Wow. This futuristic building on the University of Oregon campus is so reflective and sleek it’s almost invisible!
- Pittock Mansion
Flickr/ mike krzeszak
Flickr/ Holly Hayes The Pittock Mansion is an amazing French Renaissance-style mansion that you can visit in the hills of Portland.
- Oregon State University ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ sculpture
Flickr/ Oregon State University This amazing sculpture on the Oregon State University campus intertwined with the surrounding greenery. The temporary sculpture was very popular while standing, and was unfortunately removed last summer.
- First Presbyterian Church
Flickr/ Curtis Cronn
Flickr/ Roger The First Presbyterian Church in Portland is absolutely breathtaking.
- Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Flickr/ Holly Hayes The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon is a gorgeous building with an especially enchanting courtyard that will take your breath away.
- The Grotto
Flickr/ Laila Ghambari Whether or not you’re religious, The Grotto (AKA The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother) is a beautiful shrine and church built into 62 of forestry.
- Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
Flickr/ LDELD The Tillamook Rock lighthouse, also known as Terrible Tilly, is an infamous deactivated lighthouse located over a mile off-shore at Tillamook Head. It was painstakingly built over a period of 500 days, and at the time it was the most expensive lighthouse ever created. Although it’s no longer in use, you can still see it standing all alone amidst the crashing waves.
- Peterson Rock Garden
Flickr/ Calvin Hodgson The Peterson Rock Garden is located between Bend and Medford. This amazing garden features many handmade structures including landmark replicas, bridges, castles, and more.
- Portland Japanese Garden
Flickr/ Bruce Dailey Ok, so this one’s more of a collaboration between man and nature. The Japanese Garden in Portland’s Washington Park is absolutely stunning.
- Oregon State Capitol
Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson, DVM The Oregon State Capitol building in Salem is truly incredible.
- Portland’s Salmon sculpture
Flickr/ Zack Lee This unique, amazing sculpture in Portland will blow your mind.
- Yaquina Bay Bridge
Flickr/ Keith Cuddeback The Yaquina Bay Bridge is a gorgeous arch bridge and an Oregon landmark.
- Keller Fountain
Flickr/ Sam Grover The Keller Fountain is an amazing fountain in Portland. Water cascades ethereally over huge blocks of concrete into a 75,000-gallon pool.
What are some other amazing man (or woman) made wonders in Oregon?
Flickr/ Edmund Garman
This amazing sculptural fountain is located in Salem.
Flickr/ Rennett Stowe
The lovely Yaquina Head Lighthouse is allegedly the most photographed lighthouse in the country.
Flickr/ Karl Hutchinson
Flickr/ Noël
The historic St. John’s Bridge is a gorgeous, iconic Portland landmark. Underneath the bridge you’ll find Cathedral Park.
Flickr/ Maciek Lulko
Wow. This futuristic building on the University of Oregon campus is so reflective and sleek it’s almost invisible!
Flickr/ mike krzeszak
Flickr/ Holly Hayes
The Pittock Mansion is an amazing French Renaissance-style mansion that you can visit in the hills of Portland.
Flickr/ Oregon State University
This amazing sculpture on the Oregon State University campus intertwined with the surrounding greenery. The temporary sculpture was very popular while standing, and was unfortunately removed last summer.
Flickr/ Curtis Cronn
Flickr/ Roger
The First Presbyterian Church in Portland is absolutely breathtaking.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon is a gorgeous building with an especially enchanting courtyard that will take your breath away.
Flickr/ Laila Ghambari
Whether or not you’re religious, The Grotto (AKA The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother) is a beautiful shrine and church built into 62 of forestry.
Flickr/ LDELD
The Tillamook Rock lighthouse, also known as Terrible Tilly, is an infamous deactivated lighthouse located over a mile off-shore at Tillamook Head. It was painstakingly built over a period of 500 days, and at the time it was the most expensive lighthouse ever created. Although it’s no longer in use, you can still see it standing all alone amidst the crashing waves.
Flickr/ Calvin Hodgson
The Peterson Rock Garden is located between Bend and Medford. This amazing garden features many handmade structures including landmark replicas, bridges, castles, and more.
Flickr/ Bruce Dailey
Ok, so this one’s more of a collaboration between man and nature. The Japanese Garden in Portland’s Washington Park is absolutely stunning.
Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The Oregon State Capitol building in Salem is truly incredible.
Flickr/ Zack Lee
This unique, amazing sculpture in Portland will blow your mind.
Flickr/ Keith Cuddeback
The Yaquina Bay Bridge is a gorgeous arch bridge and an Oregon landmark.
Flickr/ Sam Grover
The Keller Fountain is an amazing fountain in Portland. Water cascades ethereally over huge blocks of concrete into a 75,000-gallon pool.
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