N is for...Nonsense and Oddities

Greetings Tuesday!  I'll admit that it was difficult to come up with an Oregon activity/landmark that would fall into this category.  I was going to do something about Native Americans, but there are too many things to write a post about in that regard.  So, instead of doing something specific, I'm going with...

Nonsense and Oddities

Every place has something unique about it.  Something that's odd or complete and utter nonsense.  Here are some of Oregon's random facts:

• The Oregon state flag is the only flag in the US that has two separate designs:  the Oregon crest and a beaver on the reverse side.
• Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state:  59..
• Oregon is the only state that has an official state nut:  the hazelnut or filbert.
• The state birthday is Valentine's Day :)
• The official state fish is the Chinook Salmon.
• Oregon has the largest collection of rosaries at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center.
• The Carousel Museum has the largest and most comprehensive collection of carousel horses.
• The state flower is the Oregon Grape (declared in 1899).
• Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is the second largest monolith in the world, standing at 235 feet.

  

  Haystack Rock

• Oregon has no sales, restaurant, or liquor tax.
• Forest Grove is home to the world's tallest barbershop pole.
• Oregon is home to the world's shortest river:  the D River is 121 feet long.
• It is also home to the smallest harbor:  Depoe Bay; and the world's smallest park:  Mill's End Park (currently being challenged by Prince's Park in Bruntwood, England).
• Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.
• Oregon residents own one-fourth of the nation's llama population.
• Oregon has one national park, thirteen national forests, and 231 state parks.
• The state beverage is milk.
•  It is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon.
•  Drivers must always yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

And now...some weird laws:

• It is illegal to use canned corn as fish bait.
• Dishes must drip dry.
• Ice cream may not be eaten on Sundays.
• One may not bathe without wearing suitable clothing.
• Babies may not be carried on running boards of cars.
• A car door may not be left open longer than necessary.
• One may not test their physical endurance while driving a car on the highway.

Most of these are defunct, but still on the record books...

Happy Tuesday, fellow A-Zers.