Benton County History The first white settlers in Benton County were probably Thomas Reeves and Daniel McKissick, who erected cabins where they lived during the winter of 1845-46. Benton County was officially created by an act of the Territorial Legislature on December 23, 1847. The county was created out of an area which was originally inhabited by the Kalapuya Indians, and named after Thomas H. Benton of Missouri, an advocate of development of the Oregon Territory. Benton County as it is constituted today has 668 square miles of land area. Corvallis Early settlers were Haman C. Lewis, who erected a cabin a few miles north of Corvallis in the spring of 1846; J.C. Avery, who took claim on what is now the south side of Corvallis in 1845 and built the first home on the present city limits in June of 1846; William F. Dixon, who took a claim on what is now the north part of the city in the spring of 1846; and Wyman St. Clair, who took a claim in the Philomath area and is generally believed to be the person responsible for naming Mary's River, Mary's Peak, and giving Corvallis its original name of Marysville. Land for the city was tendered by Avery and Dixon in the winter of 1847. In 1850, Avery erected the first real store in the city, and a hotel was built in 1850. The first school building was built in 1848, but not used until 1850 when A. G. Hovey became the first teacher. Avery operated a canoe ferry across the Mary's River, and Dixon operated a small ferry across the Willamette River as early as 1848. By 1850, a regular ferry was in operation across the Willamette and by 1851, the town had two or three stores, a combined store/ saloon, a hotel, two blacksmith shops, a school and several homes. It was in 1851 that the southern city limits were established and Marysville named as the official county seat. In 1853, the Territorial Legislature authorized a change in the name from Marysville to Corvallis because of the existence of a larger Marysville in California. The name "Corvallis" is credited to J.C. Avery who compounded the name from Latin, and it is intended to mean "Heart of the Valley." Development of Corvallis escalated with the discovery of gold in the Jackson Creek area, 60 miles south of Roseburg. Many Benton County residents deserted the plow for the mining pan, and Corvallis became a shipping center for supplies for the gold fields. In 1855, the Territorial Legislature voted to move Oregon's capital to Corvallis, but almost immediately a movement was afoot in the Legislature to return the capital to Salem. Passenger train service arrived in Corvallis in January 1880, the culmination of a project which had started 26 years earlier in Portland. This service was continued for over 50 years and discontinued in 1942. As the gold mines in southern Oregon played out, Corvallis began to lose importance as a shipping point. In spite of this, Corvallis continued to grow. The first telegraph lines reached the city in 1856 and the city was incorporated and chartered by the Territorial Legislature on June 28, 1857, with J.B. Congle as the first mayor. The first jail was built in 1859 and a fire department was organized in 1863. In January 1858, Corvallis College was established, which later became Oregon State Agricultural College under the Morrill Act of July 2, 1862, as signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Now Oregon State University, it has grown to one of the state's major institutions of higher education. Historic Buildings And Museums Bellfountain Community Church -- 17 miles south of Corvallis Benton County's finest example of a 19th Century church exhibiting features of the Queen Anne style of architecture. Benton County Courthouse -- 120 NW 4th Street Built in 1888, this historic courthouse is still in active use. Hours -- Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Guided tours are available by appointment only. Phone -- 541/757-6831 Benton County Historical Museum -- 1101 Main Street, Philomath Built in 1867, the Benton County Historical Museum was once Philomath College and now has historic displays on Benton County, including Camp Adair. There is also a gallery of contemporary art. Hours -- Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4:30pm Phone -- 541/929-6230 Fiechter House -- 12 miles south of Corvallis Within the confines of William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, the Fiechter House is one of Oregon's remaining examples of Classical Revival architecture (1850 - 1860). The house reflects the remoteness of early settlement. Open Summer Sundays. 10am - 4pm. Phone -- 541/929-6230 or 541/757-7236 Charles Gaylord House -- 600 NW 7th Street This Gothic cottage was built for Charles Gaylord, owner of the first sash and door factory in this region. Established in 1857, the house may be the oldest existing house in Corvallis. Kings Valley Community Church -- Intersection of Hwy. 223 and Maxfield Creek Road This church is one of the best examples of a rural Gothic style church built in Benton County during the late 19th Century. Majestic Theater -- 115 SW 2nd Street The Majestic Theater was built in 1913 as a vaudeville house. This performing arts and multi-use facility was purchased by the City of Corvallis and completely renovated. The theatre reopened in 1990 as a community theater. The white brick exterior is typical of early 20th century Commercial style architecture. Oregon State University -- West of downtown Corvallis,Oregon State University is Oregon's oldest state-supported institution of higher education. A diverse blend of architectural styles and historically significant buildings are represented on the OSU campus. Weatherford Hall is the oldest dormitory west of the Mississippi. Soap Creek Schoolhouse -- Soap Creek Road Built in 1932, this type of schoolhouse was a common sight in rural Benton County. Willamette Community and Grange Hall -- Hwy 99W and Greenberry Road Built in 1923 with Georgian design elements, this grange hall is one of the most stylized buildings in Benton County. Covered Bridges Harris Covered Bridge -- 2-1/2 miles west of Wren, off Hwy. 20 on Harris Road This bridge is currently in use. It was originally built in 1929 and has limited height clearance. Motorhomes are not recommended. Hayden Covered Bridge -- 1-1/2 miles west of Alsea, off Hwy. 34 Hayden Bridge spans the Alsea River. It was built in 1918 and is currently in use. Irish Bend Covered Bridge -- Crosses Oak Creek on the Campus Way bike path This historic bridge is open to foot and bike traffic only. For a complete listing of covered bridges in Oregon in PDF format click here Contact | About Corvallis Tourism | Credits | Sitemap Copyright ©2003-2007 Corvallis Tourism, All Rights Reserved. 553 NW Harrison Blvd. Corvallis, OR 97330 phone: 541/757-1544 toll free: 800/334-8118 fax: 541/753-2664 email: info@visitcorvallis.com