The pioneer settlement now known as West Linn was first occupied by settlers in the early 1840s when Robert Moore purchased 1,000 acres of land from the "Wallamut" (Willamette) Indians. He built his cabin high on a slope overlooking the Willamette Falls and set about building a town, calling it Robin's Nest. The town was situated on property now occupied by the West Linn Paper Co.

In 1913, the City of West Linn was incorporated, encompassing four areas--West Oregon City, Bolton, Sunset and Willamette Heights. The incorporation allowed the settlements to obtain needed services, utilities and improvements without annexing to Oregon City. After considerable debate on a name, the city founders decided to honor the pioneer town that Moore had established.

The city's population has grown steadily. The 1860 census listed 225 residents. By 1920, the number had grown to 1,628. The 1960 census set the population at 2,923, and by 1970, West Linn had grown to more than 7,000. The growth pattern continued through the 1980s and 90s, with the population today standing at 24,180.