Georgiana Burton Pittock was a remarkable woman whose good deeds are legendary. Charitable organizations she founded, to ease the life of Oregon pioneers, still exist today, more than one hundred years later. But her other contribution may be even more widely appreciated. Without doubt, she's The "Queen of Portland's Roses." Georgiana gave Portland its city identity-without her, there would be no City of Roses, no Rose Festival and no citywide fascination with anything "rose." She introduced in Oregon the idea of rose competitions and even held rose "festivals" right in her own yard. Georgiana Pittock was a true pioneer, having crossed the Oregon Trail as a child. In Portland, she met and later married Henry Pittock, owner of "The Oregonian newspaper." They raised a family and built their dream home high on a hill overlooking downtown Portland. Now known as Pittock Mansion, it's Oregon's beloved house museum and a star locale for Hollywood movies.

Pioneer Georgiana Pittock gave Portland, Oregon its special name, The Rose City, and left a legacy that blooms today.

At the end of the Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905, the president of the Portland Street Fair and Carnival Association, E.W. Rowe, presented the idea of an annual festival to Portland mayor Harry Lane. From that idea came the first Rose Festival, called the Rose Carnival and Fiesta, held June 2022, 1907. It was hailed as a huge success. There is no reason in the world why Portland should not hold a rose festival every year, remarked the Oregonian on June 21. Everyone will be happier and better all the rest of the year for the festival of roses. And indeed, that has been the case. From just a three-day event, the Rose Festival has expanded over the years to include many activities covering several months every spring and summer.