Galbreath, Bridgeport, Tualatin: How Tualatin Got Its Name

Did you know Tualatin has gone by three different names? First it was Galbreath, then Bridgeport, and only after the railroad came through did it become Tualatin. Each name marks a new chapter: a ferry crossing, a bridge, and then a railroad depot. I love this story because a piece of it still stands on Boones Ferry Road.

Quick facts

• 1853: Samuel Galbreath began ferry service across the Tualatin River, at a small village called Galbreath
• 1856: Galbreath built the first bridge across the river, and the town's name was changed to Bridgeport
• 1869: the first post office opened under the spelling "Tualitin"
• 1886: the Portland & Willamette Railway Company bought a right-of-way through John Sweek's land
• 1887: John Sweek drew Tualatin's first town plat, around the new railroad depot
• 1913: Tualatin incorporated as a city

Name number one: Galbreath

It all started at the river. In 1853, Samuel Galbreath began running a ferry across the Tualatin River, and the small village at the crossing took his name. (The Oregon Encyclopedia describes the Galbreaths as "an early pioneer family.")

Name number two: Bridgeport

Three years later, in 1856, Galbreath built the first bridge across the Tualatin River, and the town's name was changed to Bridgeport. It's a name that makes perfect sense once you know the story. According to the city's history booklet, Bridgeport sat on Boones Ferry Road, one of the first "improved" roads, and had a blacksmith shop, a boarding house, a general store and a saloon.

A couple of years after that, in 1858, John Sweek's house was built. It's now on the National Register of Historic Places, and it plays a big part in the next chapter.

Name number three: Tualatin

The first post office opened in 1869, under the spelling "Tualitin." The town itself came together with the railroad. In 1886, the Portland & Willamette Railway Company bought a right-of-way through John Sweek's land on the river's west bank, opposite Bridgeport. In 1887, Sweek drew Tualatin's first town plat, around the new railroad depot, and gave the new town the name Tualatin. That plat foreshadowed the town center's move to the west side of the river.

Ben Cummins, a Bridgeport shopkeeper, was the first to set up business in the new town, building a home, a two-story store and a post office across from the depot. In 1890, John L. Smith built a sawmill near the river, in what is now the wooded part of Tualatin Community Park.

In 1906, the Oregon Electric Railroad's Portland-Salem line arrived, running along Boones Ferry Road and moving the town center a second time. Tualatin incorporated as a city in 1913, and Thad Sweek, John Sweek's son, was the first mayor.

Where to see this history today

• John Sweek House, 18815 SW Boones Ferry Rd. The 1858 Classical Revival house of the man who platted the town. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and the city lists it as the only one of Tualatin's historic landmarks on the National Register. After 1906, the Oregon Electric line ran along Boones Ferry Road in front of it.- Tualatin Heritage Center, near Sweek Pond. A Craftsman-style building from 1926 that was moved through town early one Sunday in July 2005 and opened as the Heritage Center on February 11, 2006. The Tualatin Historical Society manages it in partnership with the City of Tualatin. City maps show a small Historical Society lot with 5 spaces, 1 of them accessible.
• Sweek Pond Natural Area, right next door at 8700 SW Sweek Drive. Tualatin parks are open sunrise to sunset.

Put the three together and you have a lovely short outing, with the Sweek name on both the house and the pond. You can find more of my posts about the city on my Tualatin city guide page.

Tualatin business of the week

All that history works up an appetite. A favorite of mine is La Industria, a cool venue featuring globally inspired eats, including sandwiches and tapas, plus craft cocktails. You'll find it at 20185 SW 112th Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062.

Frequently asked questions

What was Tualatin originally called? The first village at the ferry crossing was called Galbreath, after ferry operator Samuel Galbreath. It was renamed Bridgeport in 1856 after Galbreath built the first bridge across the Tualatin River.

Who named Tualatin? John Sweek gave the name Tualatin to the town he platted around the railroad depot in 1886-1887.

When did Tualatin become a city? Tualatin incorporated as a city in 1913.

Is any Tualatin building on the National Register of Historic Places? Yes. The John Sweek House at 18815 SW Boones Ferry Rd was listed in 1974, and the city lists it as Tualatin's only historic landmark on the National Register.

There's so much story packed into this town. If you're curious about living in Tualatin, I'd be happy to hear from you and help you get to know it.

Sources

• City of Tualatin: Tualatin History
• City of Tualatin: "Once Upon a Time" history booklet (PDF)
• City of Tualatin: Historic Preservation
• Oregon Encyclopedia: Tualatin, City of
• National Park Service NPGallery: John Sweek House
• Tualatin Historical Society: Heritage Center
• City of Tualatin Parks: Sweek Pond Natural Area
• City of Tualatin Parks: Park rules
• La Industria