The Willamette Valley was the 'Eden' at the end of the Oregon Trail for thousands of Americans who migrated to this region in the mid-nineteenth century. Located at the confluence of the Willamette and Mary's Rivers, Corvallis was described in 1874 as, ...an incorporated city and county seat of Benton County, located on the west bank of the Willamette River, on a beautiful plateau one and a half miles wide, entirely above high water. The plateau upon which the city is built extends back to the foothills, until it is lost in the Coast Range of mountains which divides the Willamette Valley from the Pacific Ocean.

The first official claims to land in this area were two 640 acre parcels; one at the junction of the Willamette and Mary's Rivers claimed by Joseph C. Avery in 1845, the other by William F. Dixon in 1846. Originally named Marysville, Corvallis was renamed by Avery in 1853 to avoid confusion with Marysville, California. Avery is credited with coining the town 'Corvallis' a name which he made up by compounding the Latin words for 'heart of the valley'.

In the winter of 1847-1848, J. C. Avery ambitiously 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.

CORVALLIS HISTORICAL RESOURCES

The City has been successfully inventorying and listing significant resources on the Corvallis Register of Historic Landmarks and Districts since 1976. Over 300 detailed inventories have been performed, of which approximately 130 have been listed on the register. In addition to the local register, a number of resources have also been placed on the national register.

Enjoy learning more about the significant history in our community!

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Planning Division at 541-766-6908.