In the lower Cascades of Oregon is a creek. It is Silver Creek and was first settled by folks looking for water power and lumber. In the mid 1800s James Smith and John Barger started a sawmill on the creek. The location was called Milford and businesses soon arose around the mill. In 1856 the mill closed and the businesses moved down the creek to what is now Silverton. Milford was left empty. The era of the roaring 20s was good to Silverton. The town made and exported products throughout the United States and to foreign countries. Prosperous Silverton companies include Fischer Flour Mills, Eastman Metal Works and the Silver Falls Timber Company. In fact, the saw mill owned by the timber company was the largest of its type in the world. Today, when folks walk through the streets and sidewalks of the historic downtown area of Silverton reminders of the Eastman Metal Works abound on metal plates embedded in the streets emblazoned with the EMW logo. Interesting our readers may think, but why recommend this historic Oregon sleepy town for a Getaway? Because it is a charming, quirky little town, with rich culture and much to do. It more than meets the Cultural Oregon criteria for a Getaway destination. First Friday If you are fortunate enough to begin your vacation on the first Friday of the month, you will think the whole town has turned out to throw a celebration for your arrival. The First Friday of every month Silverton has a celebration that run from 7 to 9 PM. Art galleries hold exhibit openings with wine and cheese, the high end eclectic boutiques remain open to display their goods and folks come from all over for the festivities. Enjoy fine dining in one of Silverton's many restaurants to end the evening. Attractions A visit to the Historic Oregon Gardens is a must if you are visiting Silverton. It is both kid and pet friendly and absolutely stunning. Its located in town, so families with kids and even dogs can easily travel to and enjoy this attraction. The Oregon Gardens have more than 20 gardens and features such as waterfalls, fountains and statuary. Ponds dot the grounds where one can sit quietly alone in thought. There is a unique display of evergreen trees that are beautiful year-round. There is a pet friendly garden and a childrens garden. The childrens area has an in ground Hobbit house and kid friendly displays of plants and flowers. An Oregon Garden highlight is the 400 year old Signature Oak tree. The only private residence designed by famed architect Franklin Lloyd Wright was moved to the grounds of the Gardens in 2002. It is known as Gordon House and is the only Wright designed home open to the public in all of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Gardens is open according to the following schedule: October through April: 10:00am to 4:00pm and May through September: 9:00am through 6:00pm. For more information call them at 503-874-8100 or 1-877-674-2733. Close to town is Silver Falls State Park. Open year round, this park is embraced by the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains. This pet-friendly state park is a temperate rain forest. There are over 25 miles of pet friendly hiking trails and 15 miles of pet friendly horseback riding trails. Park activities in addition to hiking and horseback riding include camping, fishing, birding, wild life watching and more. Silver Falls State Park also takes reservations for cabins, yurts, RVs and teepees. Some allow pets. If you need more information call 800-551-6949. To reserve a place call 800-452-8657.