Discover the covered bridge capital and the All-America City of Cottage Grove, Oregon. It is a small town located on Interstate 5, Oregon Route 99, and the central Willamette Valley line of the Union Pacific railroad. Home to several hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and many more attractions, Cottage Grove has drawn and continues to attract many individuals and families to the community.

Covered Bridge Capital of The West

Cottage Grove is known for being the Covered Bridge Capital of the West. It offers the best destinations for seeing the most significant number of covered bridges with only minimal effort. Six covered bridges are near the city. Five out of the six bridges are on the National Register of Historic Places, namely; Chambers Covered Bridge, Currin Bridge, Dorena Bridge, Mosby Creek Bridge, and Stewart Bridge. Moreover, Mosby Creek Bridge is the oldest surviving covered bridge in Lane County. Perhaps, Chambers Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered railroad bridge in Oregon and possibly west of the Mississippi River. 

Cottage Grove’s Amenities

Aside from the natural attractions and bridges, Cottage Grove features other amenities. Museums, concerts in the parks, numerous neighborhood parks, a 16-mile paved bicycle trail into the mountains, festivals unique to the town and history, a local grower’s market, historic downtown, and a series of public murals are worth to visit. Cottage Grove is home to four museums: Cottage Grove Historical Museum, Bohemia Gold Mining Museum, Oregon Aviation History Center, and Dr. Snapp House. Perhaps, the city is home to 21 murals, reflecting so much of the community’s history.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Cottage Grove is generally low. Compared to other cities in Oregon, the cost of living index in Cottage Grove is 107. It is 9% lower than the state average and 7% higher than the national average. According to Areavibes, the index consists of the following: cost of retail goods and services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), public/private transportation costs (9%) and utilities (10%). 63% of the total cost of living index comes from everyday goods and services and housing costs. 

Housing

In Cottage Grove, there is housing for every lifestyle. For those who enjoy the views of hills, trees, and rivers, vacant and built-upon lots outside of town are also available ranging in size from half an acre to more than 50 acres. Perhaps, according to the World Population Review, the median home value in Cottage Grove is $237,100. Besides, the median rent costs $1,298 per month in recent years. 

Schools and Education

In terms of education, Cottage Oregon is home to the South Lane School District. It serves nearly 2600 students across seven schools–Cottage Grove High School, All Kennedy High School, Lincoln Middle School, Bohemia Elementary School, Harrison Elementary School, Dorena School, and London School. The Cottage Grove area offers various pre-school opportunities. These include Head Start, Family Relief Nursery, and Early Childhood Cares (Special Education). Lane Community College also has a Cottage Grove Center. The Center is a venue to serve community members working on a degree, completing a certificate, enhancing job skills, or seeking personal enrichment.  

Cottage Grove, Oregon, is indeed a great place to enjoy a well-balanced life!

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