Estacada, incorporated in 1905, is located in the foothills of the Cascade Range. The town owes its existence to the construction of the first hydroelectric power dams along the narrow canyons of the scenic Clackamas River. For eight decades, Estacada was prominent in the timber industry. Today, the main attractions are the area's outstanding beauty, its growing art community, and recreational opportunities such as camping, hunting, fishing, and boating. About 2,400 people live in the incorporated city of Estacada, but the majority of a population of 18,000 lives in the unincorporated towns that surround it. These communities were settled as early as 1847 and boasted their own schools, churches, businesses, and post offices long before the incorporation of Estacada. Their lush histories provide a colorful foundation for the people and areas now collectively referred to as Estacada.