Boring Oregon

Boring is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. It is located along Oregon Route 212 in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range, approximately twelve miles (19 km) southeast of downtown Portland, and fourteen miles (23 km) northeast of Oregon City. Contemporarily a bedroom community, Boring is named after William Harrison Boring, a Union soldier and pioneer whose family first settled the area in 1856 in the Oregon Territory.

Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon. And only 12 miles (19.2 kilometers) from Portland, the town of Boring might seem to be all but warning potential visitors to keep on driving with its unflattering name. But it turns out there is actually a fair bit to keep you interested in Boring—at least until it’s time to leave for a trip to its sister city: Dull, Scotland.

Get a Dose of Boring History

Boring wasn’t actually named out of legitimate boredom. In fact, the city was named for the Union soldier and pioneer William Harrison Boring, who settled the area in the 1800s. Good on ya Billy Boring! Stick around long enough and locals will be happy to share tidbits like these about their beloved Boring, Oregon.

Boring Oregon Online Store Opens to Help Build a Community Center

Recently, as friends were driving through Boring, the question was raised – where can one purchase something that is truly representative of Boring? There is the Not So Boring Bar & Grill or the Red Apple for food or drink, the Boring Garden Center and Boring Bark for great prices on plants, but how about a book, or a shirt? The question was heard, and now has been answered. The Boring Oregon Foundation has now launched a Boring Oregon Store online. Featured at this time is the newly released historical and pictorial book on Boring, written by local author, Dan Bosserman and a specially designed T-Shirt commemorating the special relationship between Boring, Oregon & Dull, Scotland as well as the new relationship both communities now also have with Bland Australia.

The Boring Oregon Foundation plans on expanding the store to accommodate many other items during the first week of October. Sweatshirts, caps, cups, and who knows what other Boring items will be added. Your credit card purchases can be delivered if you are within the local area, or shipped anywhere within the United States.

Find Out Weird Ad Shot in Boring Oregon

Pop culture is full of stories about people trying to escape the boring-ass town they were born in. Not so in Boring, Oregon. As one inhabitant remarks, “Nobody leaves. They think they’re gonna go, but they stay.” In a short film by Ogilvy & Mather London, a brand that we won’t mention until later (to avoid spoiling the reveal) takes us directly to Boring—which actually exists!—to learn its charms, attributes and history.  It’s a hard sell to get people to watch what’s essentially a 3:20 mini documentary about a town whose biggest attribute is a certain delight in its own blandness. But we did get into it.

There’s something magnetic about a place that lacks frenzy and demand. That feels disconnected from everything vying for our attention, and we feel the compulsion to stay awhile, learn its quirks. But toward the end of this expedition, something odd starts to happen- Colored balls appear, drifting out of the sky, filled with fragrant powder. They’re first met with surprise, then people start running out of their houses to play in it. This climax—evidence of the brand preparing for its cameo—is surprisingly off-putting. “Anything boring can be made exciting,” the screen reads. “Introducing Fragrance Burst, a new laundry experience.” Yes, it’s an ad for Unilever fabric softener brand Comfort.

Pairing with Dull, Scotland

Elizabeth Leighton of Aberfeldy, Scotland, proposed the town’s pairing with the village of Dull, Scotland. While passing through Boring on a cycling holiday. In June 2012. Boring accepted the proposal of Dull to “pair” their municipalities. In an effort to promote tourism in both places as a play on their names. The Boring Community Planning Organization issued commemorative “Boring & Dull: a pair for the ages” T-shirts and mugs, as well as raffling off a trip to Dull, Scotland. However, the Boring CPO will not be attempting to get the pairing recognised by Sister Cities International.

Dull and Boring celebrations are held annually on 9 August in Oregon with a piper and a barbershop quartet; the Dull celebrations are in October. After their pairing, August 9 was declared by the State of Oregon as “Boring and Dull Day” across the state. In 2013, the rural Australian town of Bland also twinned with the two cities, as a lighthearted way to embrace the community’s name.

Boring Oregon Weather

According to the Köppen climate classification, Boring has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and chilly, rainy winters. The town receives an annual average of 54.26 inches (1,378.2 mm) of rain—significantly more than neighboring Portland. Which averages 36.03 inches (915.2 mm), or Gresham, which averages 44.85 inches (1,139.2). Boring’s high volume of rainfall can be attributed to its location. In the Cascade foothills, which situates it at a considerably higher elevation than other towns and cities In the Portland metropolitan area. The first frost in Boring typically occurs within the first week of November. While the last is typically in the first week of April.

Things to See and Do in Boring, Oregon

Starr Alpaca Farm

Alpacas are the stars of the show at Starr Alpaca Farm, with a supporting cast of goats and hens. The alpacas are adorable and produce a baby-soft fleece that the farm sells, along with yarn and eggs from the hens. Come and meet the animals and shop around.

Join the annual “goth float”

Held every August on the Clackamas River, the annual goth float brings the goth community together. to inner tube down four miles (6.4 kilometers) of the river. (A black swimsuit and heavy eye makeup are encouraged.)

Celebrate Boring & Dull Day

In 2013, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill proclaiming every August 9th Boring & Dull Day, in honor of the international partnership formed between Boring, Oregon, and Dull, Scotland. Bagpipers and drummers in kilts join barbershop quartets and ice cream trucks to celebrate the kindred spirits of their cities.

Enjoy the dramatic views of Mt. Hood

Majestic Mt. Hood rises 11,000 feet (3,352.8 meters) above sea level and has a total of 12 glaciers. And many places in Boring afford excellent and dramatic views of Mt. Hood. So grab your camera, watercolors, or just sit back and enjoy the view of the incredible mountain.