Azalea, Oregon

Azalea (formerly Starveout, Starve Out and Booth) is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States, about 10 miles Northeast of Glendale on Interstate 5, at an elevation of 1,657 feet.

Azalea was named for the abundance of azaleas in the area, including the Azalea occidentalis and the Azaleastrum albiflorum. The name Azalea was used for two different post offices in the upper Cow Creek Valley in Douglas County. A post office named "Starveout" was established in 1888. The name was changed to "Booth" in 1907 and to "Azalea" in 1914. There was a different Azalea post office in the area that ran from 1899 to 1909.[1] Its USPS assigned ZIP Code is 97410.[2]

The Azeala General store has been in that location for many years servicing the area. Back when there were no cars, to get over the mountain pass to Canyonville, many people would stop at the General store to get supplies.

Azalea is the hometown of decathlete and Olympian Tom Pappas.[3]

References

1. McArthur, Lewis A.; Lewis L. McArthur (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87595-277-1.
2. "Zip Code". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
3. "Tom Pappas". USA Track and Field. Retrieved February 24, 2007.