Why the beaver became Oregon's state icon

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIsaac from Oregon asked us on bbn. live how the beaver became Oregon's icon. Great question, Isaac.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's the fur trade. A-Z Animals reports beaver pelts were hugely valuable, especially in Europe, where they became hats and coats.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the beaver is famous for being a hat?

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe beaver drove exploration of the whole Northwest, Chip. In eighteen forty-nine Oregon even put it on its money.

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo you could buy a beaver hat with a beaver dollar. That's a beaver paying for a beaver.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd then, by eighteen ninety-three, the beaver population had declined so much the legislature moved to ban trapping.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThey ran out.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThey set a sustainable boundary. Then the seal, then the flag, and in nineteen sixty-nine, state animal, after the Oregonian pointed out they were late.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhen the nickname Beaver State started, sources disagree. Ask us yours at bbn. live.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI'd still like the beaver's side of this, Vera, and I'm guessing it's not a flag.