THIS LAND OF OURS: OREGON

[Music] oregon a name that is filled with the magic of the west and which brings to the minds of all who have seen it a picture of vast and rugged beauty for this land has been bountifully endowed columbia river is one of the world's most majestic and is highly productive its history will endure forever here is a monument marking the end of the trail for the lewis and clark expedition which opened the way to the rich oregon territory a fascinating pioneer commemoration no less memorable the oregon trail the route which brought covered wagons and pack trains overland to the great northwest of a young and growing nation today it is the columbia highway still fulfilling its destiny as a route for countless thousands of passenger cars and trucks the bonneville dam on the columbia river 40 miles east of portland was constructed as one of the first great steps toward utilizing the northwest's tremendous water resources the electrical power provided by dams such as bonneville had contributed mightily to the development of this northwest empire for oregon's two greatest rivers the colombia and the willamette can produce together more than a third of the power required for the united states chinook salmon is the world's finest to assist the salmon in their swim upstream to spawning grounds it has become necessary to build ingenious fish ladders these were made necessary because of the construction of dams blocking natural roots another of oregon sources of pride is its contribution to the building of the west from its vast stands of timber indicative of tremendous lumber resources oregon and its neighboring state washington together possess enough standing timber to rebuild every home in the united states and put a fence around here too is an almost limitless source of wood for the production of pulp and paper rayon plywood plastics and a whole new world of wood chemistry this vast industry has provided profitable employment for thousands and helped in large measure the overall development of the northwest and america present as always in commerce industry and growth is the railroad vital link between producer and market essential of passenger transport portland one of the outstanding cities of the northwest is as rich in charm as it is in thriving business a fulfilled goal of the empire builders grown from a dream to a splendid community a happy combination of facilities to meet almost any requirement located at the head of the prosperous willamette valley the city is home to some half million people recreation recreation-wise portland is well endowed nearby are unexcelled areas for hiking fishing riding and hunting portland is the only major port on the west coast of north or south america situated as much as a hundred miles inland yet open to ocean-going vessels via the columbia and willamette rivers modern docks and storage terminals plus superb rail and air facilities make portland the second ranking pacific coast seaport in tonnage handel known the world over are portland's incredibly beautiful roses these lovely flowers are extravagant tributes to oregon's climate and soil nearly every portland home has its garden and large or small they lend an inspiring charm to the entire community shakespeare said a rose by any other name would smell as sweet that may be but you'll never convince a portlander that any flower can compare with a portland road one of the year's highlights in portland is the rose festival held each june this colorful celebration even when it rains literally turns the city into a flower decked fairy land floats of radiant enchantment depict all manner of things with the most adroit artistry to the delight of vast audiences residents and visitors from far and near gather each year to view the spectacular parades and however far they may have traveled they find the trip well worthwhile for this is indeed the epitome of floral glamour [Music] another community of civic splendor is oregon's capital salem salem is a city of canning plants linen mills saw mills and sundry other flourishing businesses it is an agricultural city in the center of a rich area producing ample and diversified crops the capitol building at salem is a model of beauty and simplicity representing the best in modernized greek architecture the magnificent structure stands as a worthy monument to oregon's ever-growing greatness no matter how many wonders the world traveler may have seen he is certain to be awed by the spectacular beauty of crater lake this startling body of water is 26 miles in circumference and in some places 2 000 feet deep its water is a deep matchless blue fringed by reflections of stately pine standing majestically along the rim of this extinct volcano indeed this is a vacationist paradise and once seen it will never be forgotten [Music] here is a fisherman's dream come true for in its countless lakes and streams every freshwater fish awaits the sportsman and limit catches are the rule rather than the exception this scene is at celilo falls where indians have been granted in perpetuity the right to fish as you see them here this commercial endeavor which has been licensed to these descendants of the original americans forms an important part of the local indian economy and yields a surprising annual total poundage of superb fish in addition to special fishing rights it might be pointed out that these red men also enjoy living in one of the most enchanting scenic areas of the world here nature has poured out her bounty with unstinting lavishness and the endless panorama of magnificence is a day-to-day wonder of inspiring color and charm and if anybody needed an extra reason to go to oregon could there be a better one than fish such as these towering to a height of over 11 000 feet mount hood is a monumental exemplification of oregon's endless beauty travelers on oregon smooth highways view its magnitude with awe and revel in its loveliness it constitutes a year-round playground offering sport at its best here is every facility for fun in the great out of doors here is a continuing pageant of natural delights of industrial and agricultural greatness and never failing friendliness for resident and welcome visitors oregon is indeed one of the outstanding states in this land of ours [Music] you