[2] The book contains information on the state, city, county, and federal governments in Oregon, educational institutions, finances, the economy, resources, population figures and demographics.

[3] The 1919 edition contained a "statement of registered motor vehicles, chauffeurs, and dealers from 1905 to 1919", and "a general summary of in the taxable property in Oregon from 1858 to 1918".

[4] Secretary of State Ben Olcott published the first edition in 1911 in response to an "increased demand for information of a general character concerning Oregon".

[6][7] In 1953, a legislative ways and means subcommittee, headed by Representative Francis Ziegler, was going to confer with Secretary of State Earl T. Newbry about how to improve the Blue Book.

[5] When Norma Paulus was Secretary of State, she would send a free copy of the book to the first person to find a mistake in each new edition.