Treasures and Pleasures abound in the Sunrise Communities.

The five incorporated cities of the area are each unique in their offerings to residents and visitors. Between the cities are a plethora of shopping, recreational, housing, services and industrial opportunities. The Sunrise Communities of Oregon's Mt Hood Territory. Shop. Play. Stay.

The City of Milwaukie

With the trees in full bloom you'll readily see why it's called the "City of Dogwoods"; but whatever time of year you're here, you'll also recognize why Milwaukie has been hailed as one of the 50 best places to raise a family. A stone's throw from downtown Portland, Milwaukie signals the transition from urban bustle to small town charm. The "main drag", McLoughlin Blvd., was the original eastside route into Portland, and some of its commercial architecture still evokes a nostalgic 50's style. Improvements on McLoughlin and the development of Milwaukie's Riverfront Park are keeping the community connected to its river roots. New development in downtown will provide shopping, residences and recreation. With the Willamette River on the west, Milwaukie is within easy range of numerous mild-to-wild recreational options ranging from water skiing and kayaking to steelhead and salmon fishing.

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Gladstone

Just a few miles south of Portland lies the friendly community of Gladstone. Steeped in the finest small town traditions, Gladstone is host to Clackamas County's annual Chautauqua Festival, celebrated first in 1894 and now held annually the first week-end in August. The small town's ties to the past are also on view at the Pow-Wow Tree located on Clackamas Boulevard. According to local folklore, the tree served as the site for conferences among Indian tribes of the surrounding region, and is still regarded as a symbol of strong community bonding. Affectionately referred to by some Portlanders as "Happy Rock" (a playful variation on "Glad Stone") Gladstone's neighborhoods are welcoming with sidewalks for a casual stroll, yet still provide delightful shopping and other urban amenities

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Happy Valley

One of the fastest growing communities in the region and state, this town now boasts some of the region's finest housing, along with the green fields and wooded areas that say Oregon loud and clear. Through annexation and a number of new housing developments the community has grown dramatically over the past few years, and continues to grow as the City plans a new city center.

A descendent of an early settler gives this version of the origin of the name "Happy Valley": The valley was referred to as a "Hollow." Boys from the "Hollow" enjoyed drinking Grandpa Dearorff's delicious apple cider before attending church services at Sunnyside and often used to arrive there singing loudly and gaily. Sunnyside dwellers were soon regerring to them as "The happy boys from the Hollow," and after awhile the area became known as "Happy Valley."

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Johnson City

Johnson City is located on 40 acres of the beautiful Lake Leone. This is a spring fed lake with free fishing for the children. Many ducks, Canadian geese, pond turtles, and Blue Heron grace the lake. The city's population of 634 resides in owner occupied manufactured homes in individually landscaped spaces. This is a "one of a kind" city in Oregon as there is no other city with manufactured homes exclusively. The households are allowed one cat, which is licensed and tagged by the city. No dogs are allowed.

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Damascus

Damascus is in the north central area of Clackamas County. Damascus boasts of a vibrant farming, agricultural and nursery stock along with rustic forests, buttes and rivers. The city is a mix of rural and urban growth and the city council and staff continue to work closely with the citizens of Damascus and regional partners to develop a comprehensive plan that will designate how the city will grow over time into a community which embraces sustainable development practices, protects the wealth of natural resources and nurtures a visible visitor friendly community.

The city also prides itself on Kicking off Oregon's sesquicentennial on New Year's Day with the refurbishing and relighting of the Damascus Centennial Candle that stands as a subtle beacon of light honoring the past and lighting the future for the citizens of Damascus and all who pass through.

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