Ewing Young is one of the most fascinating figures in the history of west.

Born in Tennessee in 1799, he made his living as a fur trapper and trader, and spent his entire adult life on the edge of the American frontier.

Permanent, non-native settlement of Newberg and Yamhill County begins with Young’s arrival in 1834.

After building his home five miles west of here, Young became the first cattle baron in Oregon. 

He also owned the first store in the county, operated a primitive bank, and built the first saw mill in the state on Chehalem Creek near this park. 

When he died in February 1841, it was without a will…or known heir.  This created the need for some form of government to decide what to do with his estate.

A series of meetings held just across the Willamette River at Champoeg not only took care of this need, they helped pave the way for Oregon becoming an official territory of the United States.

Today, at Ewing Young Park in Newberg, you can enjoy the world-class Chehalem Skatepark, Chehalem BMX Track – which is one of the country’s few nationally certified USA BMX American Bicycle Association tracks, a disc golf course, an off-leash dog park, walking and jogging trails, covered shelter, playground, and picnic tables.