| Cloth covered wagons traveled along the Oregon Road, families vying for the promised land from the Donation Land Claim Act. Each white, adult, married male citizen had been promised eighteen 640 acres of land, something that enticed families to this land. Walter and Thomas Monteith, two brothers who had joined these masses, would eventually arrive upon their claimed land along the Willamette River. And, without knowing it, these two would eventually progress what we now know as Albany, Oregon.
The start of Albany was a frame house built by the Monteith brothers in 1849, which was quickly followed by the first post office on January 8th, 1850. That same year, another settler, Abram Hackleman, designated 70 acres of land for the future development of Albany’s eastern side. As more pioneers began to arrive, soon the population grew from few to many. This was especially seen with the first Methodist church, founded in 1850. Next, a school established by the first physician in Albany in 1851, then the first courthouse in 1852. Due to the rich history this began to foster, it has helped present day historians create something to remember our city’s roots. The Albany Historic Museum and the preserved Monteith building at 518 SW 2nd Ave, Albany, OR 97321 act as time capsules for all. Dedicated staff and volunteers helping run the individual museums, with anybody being able to schedule tours or walk-ins during open house. |
Categories:
Promise to Prosperity
How two museums are dedicated to preserving Albany’s history
May 28, 2024
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Gigi Roldan, Editor In Chief
so true!!!!