Damascus, OR

Damascus is a census-designated place and former city in Clackamas County, southeast of Portland. Its community history dates to at least 1867, when a post office by that name was established. Much later, Damascus incorporated in 2004 as residents sought more local control over land-use decisions, then later returned to unincorporated status. That unusual civic history says a lot about the place: Damascus sits in the path of Portland-area growth, with rural land, suburban pressure, and local identity all competing at once.