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"the City" newsletter is mailed to all non-rural route Corvallis households. It is also available electronically on the City's Web site. Hard copies of the newsletter are available on the Oregon State University campus in the Valley Library (downstairs), in the Kerr Admin Building, and outside of the Memorial Union. |
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The original Corvallis City Hall, built in 1892, was brick and stone building with a bell tower located at Fourth Street and Madison Avenue. |
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The current City Hall was originally constructed for $50,000 in 1924 as a Methodist Church. In 1948, the City entered into an agreement to lease, and later buy, the building. |
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Corvallis’ population is 55,125. The updated estimate was certified in December 2009. Source: Portland State University Population Research Center). |
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The oldest Corvallis business still operating today is Blackledge Furniture. It was founded in 1901. |
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Corvallis’ living wage is currently $11.18 per hour. It generally increases on July 1 of each year. |
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Corvallis was originally named Marysville. The name was changed to Corvallis in 1853 to avoid confusion with Marysville, California. |
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In the winter of 1847-1848, J. C. Avery chained off 12 acres of land around his cabin for town lots. Known as 'Little Fields', this was the inception of what would become the community of Corvallis. |
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The first passenger train arrived in Corvallis from Portland on January 28, 1880. The trip took nine hours with refueling of wood every ten miles. |
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An early indication of bicycling’s popularity here was the formation of the Corvallis Cycling Club in 1894 and the establishment of several bicycle shops in downtown Corvallis in the 1890s. |
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In 1883, Corvallis State Agricultural College established a Department of Agriculture, the first in the Pacific Northwest. The State of Oregon acquired exclusive control of the previously Methodist operated college and changed the name of the institution to State Agricultural College in 1885. |
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By the turn-of-the-century, there was a one room schoolhouse located on Witham Hill. Known as Witham School, District #93, the school was located on the south side of the current Witham Hill Drive. |
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In 1883, women in Corvallis organized the "Coffee Club" to serve non-acholic refreshments to the fire company and others at fires. This was the foundation for the future Corvallis Women's Club, which was to become the oldest organized club for women in the State of Oregon. |
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In 1889, the first Corvallis City Park was established. The deed to the park was given to the city by B.R. and Addie Job. The park was located in the newly platted Job's Addition to the City of Corvallis. The park was a full block bounded by Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets and Polk and Taylor Streets. The Name "Franklin Square" was designated by the City Council. |
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In 1893, Oregon State College played its first football game at Corvallis. The newspaper noted that at the beginning of the second half, three Albany players were unable to take the field so three O.S.C. players were loaned to Albany. |
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The Fire Department hosts an Open House each October that focuses on fun and safety. |
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Doug Engelbart, a 1948 OSU graduate, invented the computer mouse, two-dimensional editing, multiple-window screens, cross-file indexing, e-mail, and shared-screen teleconferencing. Many famous people have graduated from Oregon State University - read about all of them on OSU's Web site! |
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The City’s Charter was established in 1949 and was last updated in 2006. |
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Corvallis is a compound of the Latin root words meaning “heart of the valley.” |
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The City Flower of Corvallis is the Chrysanthemum. |
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The City’s flag was dedicated at the Red, White, and Blues Festival on July 4, 1995. The flag was designed by local artist Martha Lewis. |
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The Corvallis Fire Department is the largest city fire department in Oregon and the second largest fire agency in Oregon structured as a combination paid/volunteer department. |
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The City’s total budget in fiscal year 1912-13 was approximately $15,028. |
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Corvallis, named a bicycle-friendly community, ranks ninth in the nation in bike commuting. |
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Corvallis had the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita in the US in 2009. Click here to learn more about the Peace Corps! |
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The Corvallis Public Library officially began on October 30, 1899 when the first two books were purchased by the "Coffee Club". |
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The City of Corvallis assumed responsibility for the Library in 1920. $715 is raised to be disbursed by the Board. |
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In 1921 the land for the original library location is purchased at 7th Street and Monroe Avenue. |
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In 1923 the Library served over 1,000 patrons and had an inventory of 4,000 books. |
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The Library property was paid off in 1931 and fund raising began for a new building. The City votes a tax of $25,000 for the new library building. |
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In 1932 a new 5,200 square foot library was dedicated. It was designed by renowned northwest architect, Pietro Belluschi. |
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In 1965 the Library receives a 17,000 square foot addition, enlarging the total space to 22,200 square feet. |
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In 1987 the Library finds it is filled beyond capacity with 170,000 books in a space intended for 120,000. The planning process begins in 1988 to expand the library and a master plan for the next twenty years is written with community input. |
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In 1989, voters approve a $6.85 million library bond measure by an overwhelming 70%. |
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The Library began automation for circulation, technical services, and the online catalog in 1990. |
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The expanded Corvallis-Benton County Public Library was dedicated in 1992. |
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In 1993, the Library served over 40,000 patrons with a monthly circulation of over 70,000 items. |
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The Library Services District is passed by Benton County voters in 1994 to provide secure library funding. |
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Internet access for Corvallis’ Library patrons became available in April of 1996. |
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The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library celebrated its centennial in 1999. |
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The Library’s new, state-of-the-art bookmobile arrived in 2000. |
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In 2000, 1.4 million items were checked out from the Library. |
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The City has a government access television station on cable channel 21. |
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OSU College of Business alumnus Bernie Newcomb co-founded e-trade. |
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Biz Demographics places Corvallis seventh in the nation for doing business. |
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Corvallis is the first city on the West Coast and only the third City in the nation to receive the coveted "Green Power Community" designation by the EPA (2006) |
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Corvallis is one of the highest per capita computer users in the United States. |
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USA Today listed Corvallis fourth in the nation for the number of patents issued. |
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2005 Oscar winner Brad Bird, writer/producer of "The Incredibles" is from Corvallis. |
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The Parks and Recreation "Activity Guide" is available on-line, on the Parks and Recreation homepage of this website. |
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Heisman trophy winner Terry Baker graduated from Oregon State University. |
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Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling was an Oregon State University graduate. |
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Corvallis is the birthplace of inkjet printing technology by Hewlett-Packard. |
Citywide