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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Colton (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Colton. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Colton is located in Clackamas County.

To see how the shape of Oregon's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Clackamas County: Hood River, Marion, Multnomah, Wasco, Washington & Yamhill.

Below are the counties that are near Colton. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Colton:

  • Clackamas County     (The home county of Colton)
  • Linn County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.
    • Gates
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gates have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gates
      • Gates is located in Linn County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 515 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gates <2>
    • Lyons
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
    • Mill City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
  • Marion County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.
    • Scotts Mills
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Scotts Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotts Mills
      • Scotts Mills is located in Marion County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 396 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Scotts Mills <2>
    • Aurora
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Aurora have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Aurora
      • Aurora is located in Marion County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,039 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Aurora <2>
    • Hubbard
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Mount Angel
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
    • Butteville Station ‑ Historic
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
    • McKee
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for McKee. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McKee
      • McKee is located in Marion County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to McKee
      • From Colton to McKee
    • Downs
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Drake Crossing
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
    • Donald
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Donald have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Donald
      • Donald is located in Marion County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,064 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Donald <2>
    • Silverton
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Silverton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Silverton
      • Silverton is located in Marion County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,617 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Silverton <2>
    • Butteville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
    • Woodburn
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodburn have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodburn
      • Woodburn is located in Marion County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 26,175 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Woodburn <2>
  • Multnomah County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.
    • Milwaukie
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Gresham
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gresham have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gresham
      • Gresham is located in Multnomah County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 110,031 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gresham <2>
    • Powell Valley
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Woodstock
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Woodstock. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodstock
      • Woodstock is located in Multnomah County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Woodstock
      • From Colton to Woodstock
    • Hazelwood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hazelwood have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hazelwood
      • Hazelwood is located in Multnomah County
    • Montavilla
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Rockwood
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Russellville
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Hillsdale
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Corbett
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
    • Fairview
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fairview have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairview
      • Fairview is located in Multnomah County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 9,450 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fairview <2>
    • Laurelhurst
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
  • Washington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.
    • Durham
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Durham have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Durham
      • Durham is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,908 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Durham <2>
    • King City
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for King City have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for King City
      • King City is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 4,358 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for King City <2>
    • Middleton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Middleton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Middleton
      • Middleton is located in Washington County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Middleton
      • From Colton to Middleton
    • Sherwood
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sherwood have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sherwood
      • Sherwood is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 19,746 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sherwood <2>
    • Tigard
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tigard have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tigard
      • Tigard is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 56,049 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Tigard <2>
    • Metzger
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Metzger have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Metzger
      • Metzger is located in Washington County
    • Progress
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Progress. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Progress
      • Progress is located in Washington County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Progress
      • From Colton to Progress
    • Raleigh Hills
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Beaverton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beaverton have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beaverton
      • Beaverton is located in Washington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 98,957 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Beaverton <2>
    • Kinton ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
    • West Slope
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for West Slope have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Slope
      • West Slope is located in Washington County
    • Cedar Hills
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cedar Hills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cedar Hills
      • Cedar Hills is located in Washington County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Cedar Hills <2>
  • Yamhill County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.
    • Newberg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newberg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newberg
      • Newberg is located in Yamhill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 23,982 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Newberg <2>
    • Dundee
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dundee have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dundee
      • Dundee is located in Yamhill County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,320 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dundee <2>
  • Clark County (WA)

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Colton, see our County-by-County Page for Colton.

Cemeteries Near Colton ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Colton.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Colton covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<5>

While we didn't find Colton in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Colton.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Colton, with the one closest to Colton listed first.

  • Clarkes
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clarkes have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clarkes
    • Clarkes is located in Clackamas County
  • Highland
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
  • Union Mills
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Union Mills have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union Mills
    • Union Mills is located in Clackamas County
  • Springwater
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Springwater. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springwater
    • Springwater is located in Clackamas County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Springwater
    • From Colton to Springwater
  • Mulino
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Molalla
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Viola
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Viola have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Viola
    • Viola is located in Clackamas County
  • Carus
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Wilhoit
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Wilhoit. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wilhoit
    • Wilhoit is located in Clackamas County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Wilhoit
    • From Colton to Wilhoit
  • Macksburg
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Macksburg have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Macksburg
    • Macksburg is located in Clackamas County
  • Currinsville
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Logan
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Logan have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Logan
    • Logan is located in Clackamas County
  • Continue List   (13 more) ...
    • Needy ‑ Historic
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the west)
    • Marquam
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marquam have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marquam
      • Marquam is located in Clackamas County
    • George
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Colton. See our List of 1890's Communities around Colton.

Newspapers Published in Colton ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 79 newspapers that have been published in the area around Colton.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Colton, there are papers which were published within 20 miles [32.2 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Colton.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites either offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Colton:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Colton. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Clackamas County: www.co.clackamas.or.us/

The official website for State of Oregon: https://www.oregon.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Colton, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Colton) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Colton. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 45.1721, Longitude: -122.4435    









 

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This page was last modified/updated: 29 Apr 2025