Dogwood Day

When the City Council officially adopted the nickname "The Dogwood City of the West" in 1962 Milwaukie had been home to the world’s largest Pacific dogwood tree (cornus nutallii) for many years. That famous tree - the oldest and largest - stood near the corner of 32nd Avenue and Harrison Street; across from where the city’s Public Safety Building stands today. Unfortunately, the tree was damaged during the infamous Columbus Day storm of 1962 and within ten years had to be removed due to disease. Although Milwaukie is no longer home to the world’s largest Dogwood, our city is filled with gorgeous Dogwood trees and proudly remains "The Dogwood City of the West."

May 21. Since 1985 the City Council has proclaimed May 21 Dogwood Day, ceremonially connecting the city's symbol with Milwaukie's date of incorporation.  Dogwood Day, May 21, has come to be an important annual day to appreciate our shared civic life as a community in a beautiful Pacific Northwest setting on the bank of the Willamette River. 

#milwaukiedogwood. To mark Dogwood Day the city annually holds an Instagram photo contest. Residents, regional neighbors, and friends of Milwaukie are encouraged snap a photo of a Dogwood tree and post it publicly on social media with the #milwaukiedogwood in the caption! Be sure to follow the city's Instagram and check out #milwaukiedogwood social media posts starting in late April for more information. The contest usually runs later April to mid-May with selected winners recognized at the second City Council regular session in May. 

For More Information & Partners. Below is an informational packet about the Dogwood and Milwaukie’s history. You will find print-ready fact sheets and coloring pages, copies of the original council resolution adopting the nickname, and more. Be sure to also check out the links below for more Milwaukie history! We thank our partners at the Milwaukie Historical Society and the Susannah Lee Barlow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their help on Dogwood Day activities and information.