5 Things You Didn’t Know about Sherwood, Oregon
Updated 06/2024.
Tucked into a quiet corner of the Tualatin Valley, Sherwood is a suburb of Portland that doesn’t feel like a suburb so much as its own quiet town. This little nook of greater Portland is centered around a quaint downtown and exudes history and charm. But while Sherwood maintains a small-town feel, don’t mistake that for small-town thinking.
Whether you’re looking for arts and culture, dining, or peace and quiet, there’s something for everyone in this community. Here are five of the most interesting—and little-known—aspects of Sherwood, Oregon, one of the best-kept secrets in the Portland suburb market.
#1 – Yes, There Is a Connection to Robin Hood
When you first heard the city’s name, did you think of Sherwood Forest? Well, that was intentional… to an extent. Sherwood has a long history, and so does its name.
First settled by the Tualatin peoples, Sherwood saw its first influx of non-native settlers in the mid-1800s, especially following the 1849 California Gold Rush. In 1885, a man by the name of J. C. Smock granted the railroad access through his property, and the town became known as Smockville.
Smockville isn’t the most attractive name in the dictionary, and apparently the townspeople agreed. They allowed Robert Alexander, a prominent businessman, to rename the town after his hometown of Sherwood, Michigan, which was named after Sherwood Forest, England.
Local lore also goes that Alexander felt the woods surrounding Smockville were reminiscent of Sherwood Forest in England. We’ll never know exactly how true this is, but it does make for good marketing.
Luckily, the Sherwood in Oregon can back up the claim with a number of beautiful parks and abundant greenery. If you’re searching for something a little more untouched, just to the north you’ll find the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge. This beautiful territory, which sits in a part of the Tualatin River floodplain, boasts a huge number of native species of plants and animals.
For over 50 years, the town has celebrated its name and heritage with its famous Sherwood Robin Hood Festival, a truly massive event. To learn more about it, check out #5 on this list.
#2 – Sherwood Is a Wine Destination
We all know that Oregon is famous for its vineyards, but you might not have time to trek out to what we think of as “wine country.” Sherwood is located only 30 minutes from downtown Portland and offers a lot for wine lovers. The city is one of the fastest-growing wine destinations in the northern Willamette Valley home to seven estate vineyards.
Take a tour, sample the goods, and be back in Portland by dusk (after walking in the beautiful rolling hills of the wineries to sober up, of course). Or, stop in downtown and enjoy the small-town charm before returning to the city.
Better yet, snag a piece of real estate in this paradise for yourself. With downtown Portland only a half-hour drive away, you won’t miss out on any of the city excitement.
Old Town Sherwood also hosts an annual wine festival, as well as a long list of other events. More on those in a bit.
#3 – Sherwood Promotes Access to the Arts
Remember when we said Sherwood isn’t a place for small-town thinking? There’s truth to that, and there isn’t. It’s a community that values the arts, but it also wants everyone to have access to them.
One of our favorite hallmarks of the Sherwood community is the Sherwood Center for the Arts. Construction of it was a labor of love born from big dreams. This little corner for creativity came alive thanks to community support.
The center officially opened in 2015, but its first inklings for this wonderful community center date back to 2001. It is home to programs such as arts education, community theater, and local art showings. Classes are offered for young children and adults of any age. It even hosts a program called “Parents Night Out,” which provides affordable child care so parents can, well, you get the point. The Sherwood Center of the Arts is a testament to Sherwood’s care for fostering creativity for all community segments.
#4 – Sherwood Has Highly Rated Schools
Sherwood may not come with the aura of the prestige of a larger suburb like West Linn, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer an excellent education. Niche gives them an average A- rating and ranks the school district #5 in the state. That’s impressive for such a small town.
Examples of its high-ranking schools include:
Middleton Elementary School: A-
Edgy Creek Middle School: A-
Meridian Creed Middle School: A-
Mountainside High School: A
Sherwood High School: A-
The strong ratings are one benefit; the city’s honesty and clarity on areas the schools cover is another. We have written about Portland neighborhoods and suburbs for years and have found it challenging to get good information about schools, including what school serves a specific address. School websites are often labyrinthine and less helpful than they ought to be. When we see one that’s helpful, clear, and well-designed, it’s a good sign.
Sherwood School District’s website is clean and direct. It provides helpful, easy-to-find links to necessary information and services. The resources page provides easily accessible information about programs and major news about the school system.
#5 – Sherwood Hosts Some of the Coolest Events in the PDX Area
Old Town Sherwood hosts events throughout the year. Here’s a look at what this area has to offer. The first two collect 20,000 visitors per year!
Sherwood Robin Hood Festival: This event is truly a sight to behold and a testament to Portland being weird… in a good way. It is home to music, food, dancing, and, of course, costumes. Merry men, women, children, and everything in between will find something to love here. Local vendors add to the fun, and the brave (and competent) can try their hand at the archery tournament.
Cruisin’ Sherwood Car Show: What started as an informal gathering of small-town folks showing off their cars has become one of Portland’s biggest and liveliest car shows. Every June, you will find 450 classic and custom vehicles, as well as plenty of vendors and live music. It’s family-friendly (but still has a beer garden, naturally) and surely a spectacle not to miss.
Sherwood Art Walk: This walk is held each July. The walk features around 20 stops and over 40 artists and vendors. People can view and purchase locally-produced arts and crafts, learn about the city’s history, and enjoy some delicious food and good tunes.
Sherwood Wine Festival: This August festival features wines from over 20 local wineries and wine artisans paired with gourmet food trucks and live music. Funds benefit the Rotary Club of Sherwood.
Sherwood Saturday Market: This is the city’s farmer’s market. Each Saturday, people can buy or sell produce, plants, flowers, food, and locally handcrafted items. The market requires that all farmers produce 70% of their product!
Movies in the Park: Sit under the stars with friends and family in Old Town’s Stella Olsen Park. From classics to comedies and recent releases, you and the family will enjoy some quality time. Movies play through August.
Music on the Green: If you enjoy the thought of movies in the park but also love live music, you’re in luck. Located at Stella Olsen Park, this event hosts multiple concerts from July to August. It also includes food and drinks.
Clancy’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival: Clancy’s Pub and Restaurant hosts the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Visitors enjoy three days of live music and festivities at the restaurant itself, located in Old Town.
Old Town Halloween Trick or Treat: If you want to experience Sherwood’s scary side, Old Town hosts its own trick-or-treat event on the spookiest day of the year!
Sherwood’s Growth Plans
The five traits above are some reasons that make Sherwood a desirable place to live and visit, but the city is ready for more. Improvements are underway to accommodate more events, activities, homes, and businesses while preserving its historical buildings.
The city plans to add a second town square to accommodate more events and activities. A pedestrian bridge will also cover the 45-foot-wide State Highway 99W that runs through the city to connect its neighborhoods and provide safer transportation for students walking to school.
Also underway are the widening of the city’s main boulevard from three to five lanes and a massive sewer project that will service 1200 acres. A total of 150 lots were also approved to accommodate housing and job needs, and many lots are already undergoing construction.
Industrial and manufacturing sectors are Sherwood’s main growth initiatives. The city’s improvements, combined with its high-ranking school system, safe environment, outdoor accessibility, and overall quality of life, are drawing more businesses into the city.
Interested in a Home in Sherwood?
Whether you want to ditch Portland for a quieter suburb or buy in Portland and visit Sherwood, our top 1% sellers agents and top 1% buyers agents are here to help. We’ve been selling in the area for over 20 years. If we’ve piqued your curiosity today about Sherwood, Oregon, give us a call and find out more about what the city has to offer!
