1850Government
Settled in the 1840s, the town was platted in 1850, then incorporated in 1872, making it the first city in Washington County.
1851Government
According to Oregon Geographic Names, the name Forest Grove was selected on January 10, 1851, at a meeting of the trustees of Tualatin Academy (later known as Pacific University).
1858History
Previous post offices in the area were called Tuality Plains and Tualatin, with Forest Grove adopted on December 31, 1858.
1860History
In 1860, the population reached 430, but declined to 396 in 1870.
1872Government
Forest Grove was incorporated by the state in 1872, the first in the county.
1880Education
In 1880, the now Chemawa Indian School opened in the city to forcibly assimilate Native American children, but moved to Salem in 1884.
1894Disaster
The city started the Fire Department in 1894.
1906Architecture
A company called the Forest Grove Transportation Company operated local streetcar service that linked downtown to Carnation, Oregon, where the Oregon & California Railroad built...
1908Government
In November 1908, the Oregon Electric Railway (OE) began serving the city, and in January 1914, competitor Southern Pacific (SP) followed suit, opening its own line, separate fr...
1912Architecture
The Star Theatre, built in 1912, featured films and live productions.
1929Government
The Red Electric passenger service to Forest Grove ended in 1929 and Oregon Electric's ceased in 1932.
1936History
'Henry Harmon Spalding: Pioneer of Old Oregon." Caxton Printers, Caldwell, ID, 1936.
1966Government
Valley Arts Association, established in 1966, is one of the oldest nonprofit, volunteer associations in the Pacific Northwest.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,708 people, 6,336 households, and 4,131 families residing in the city.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the census of 2010, there were 21,083 people, 7,385 households, and 4,871 families residing in the city.
2015Education
In 2015, an episode of The Librarians was filmed at Pacific University and two other sites in Forest Grove.
2016History
In February 2016, a high-pitched, hissing noise called the Forest Grove Sound was heard by several residents of the town.
2017Civil Rights
Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce
Forest Grove history from Grovenet Archived March 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
2019Education
The 2019 series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists was filmed in Forest Grove, mostly at Pacific University.
2020History
As of the 2020 census, 99.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.3% lived in rural areas.