Nestled along the Clackamas River, Estacada's history is as rich and varied as the landscape itself. What began as seasonal Clackamas Indian settlements, offering abundant fishing, hunting, and berry harvesting, evolved into a vibrant community with a unique past. Unlike its bustling neighbor, Eagle Creek, Estacada was sparsely settled until the arrival of emigrants on the Barlow Road segment of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s.

Estacada truly came into its own in the early 20th century with the construction of Cazadero Dam, the first of several hydroelectric power plants along the Clackamas River. Officially established in 1905, the town's name, chosen from a hat of suggestions, reflects its ties to the land, with "Llano Estacado" evoking the Spanish term for "palisaded plain." The advent of the railroad facilitated logging and agriculture, transforming Estacada into a bustling resort destination by the 1920s, complete with a riverside park, grand hotel, and electric trolleys to Portland.

Despite economic challenges like the Great Depression, Estacada endured, buoyed by its logging industry and unique exports, including ginseng. While rail use declined with the rise of automobiles, Estacada's spirit remained resilient, anchored by its deep-rooted history and natural beauty, making it a destination where visitors can immerse themselves in both past and present.