There's a Park in Vernonia, Oregon, that's home to a Battleship's Brig

28 October 2022

In the town of Vernonia, Oregon, sits a small park. In that park, next to a picnic table, sits the brig of a battleship.

A plaque on the cell reads, “Originally from the Battleship Oregon. Later used as the jail for the City of Vernonia.”

Another plaque adds a little mystery:

“The old brig you see in this park came from the WWII Battleship Oregon. How it ended up in Vernonia we do not know, but it served as the city jail for many years.”

Some cursory research reveals the US Navy began scrapping the USS Oregon in 1942, but halted that work so the ship could be used as an ammo store. It was ultimately scrapped in Japan in 1956. The jail cell was likely taken from the ship in 1942, although when and how it arrived in Vernonia is anyone’s guess.

At some point it was moved to Shay Park. The park is named for the steam train, Shay 102, that you’ll find there sitting behind its own set of iron bars. I noticed a bit of a theme with this park.

With a past shrouded in mystery, there are probably many local legends surrounding the cell in the park. I can’t help wondering how many Vernonia parents have told their kids they might end up in the brig if they don’t go to bed on time.