Albany, OR

Located in the Willamette Valley of West Oregon, Albany lies at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette rivers. The Linn County government seat, Albany offers a variety of annual cultural events, museums and parks. According to a Portland State University estimate in July 2007, the population of Albany was 47,470.

The city was named in 1846 by the first settlers, Walter and Thomas Monteith, after their hometown of Albany, New York. Three years later settlers established a town nearby and named it Takenah. In 1854 Albany was also named Takenah, and it was not until 1855 that the name Albany was restored to the town. Albany finally became incorporated as a city in 1864 and flourished as a Victorian community.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Albany is home to a number of historic districts, all of which are found on the National Register of Historic Places. These neighborhoods house hundreds of historically significant structures.

• Hackleman Historic District: The first plaster house to be constructed in Albany was created in what is now known as the Hackleman Historic District. Today a number of architectural styles can still be observed and studied in the district, including Classical and Gothic Revival, Rural Vernacular, Bungalow, American Renaissance, Stick, Queen Anne, Transitional Box, Italianate and Eastlake.
• Downtown Commercial Historic District: Residents and visitors alike can enjoy the many antique stores and restaurants situated in Albany's Downtown Historic District. One of the oldest Carnegie libraries in the country that is still used as a library can be found here. Also of note is the Albany Civic Theater. Not only is this theater one of the oldest civic theaters in the state of Oregon, it has also been open and operated continuously since the theater first opened on March 2, 1951. The Downtown Historic District is currently undergoing construction, and plans, which include the addition of a carousel, estimate the renovations will be finished by 2012.
• Monteith Historic District: Here on the west side of downtown Albany, observers can reflect upon Albany's historical development and view many of the elaborate and diverse homes that rose up from the middle of the 19th century through the end of World War II. In addition, this area is home to Whitespires Berean Fundamental Church, which retains its original stained glass, manufactured in Portland, Oregon.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The economy of the city has struggled with the decline of the timber industry and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. Still, the city is a major producer of zirconium, titanium and hafnium, and Albany, situated in a fertile valley, produces such crops as grass seed, strawberries, beans, corn and hazelnuts.

Computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard Company is the area's top employer. Another major employer is the Greater Albany Public Schools. PepsiCo, maker of Pepsi Cola, purchased 243 acres in Albany during 2006 with plans of constructing a Gatorade and Propel manufacturing plant. Those plans were put on hold when the economy began to weaken.

BEST BETS

Albany offers a number of annual events:

• Veteran's Day Parade: Each year Albany has a large Veteran's Day parade, drawing as many as 40,000 spectators. The route is about a mile in length. Marching bands, military vehicles and veterans from various wars are featured.
• For those who are interested in experiencing some of the many historic sites of Albany, the Summer Interior Homes Tour is held the last Saturday of July. Every December, the Christmas Parlour Tour is conducted. These tours feature visits to museums, views of historic churches and homes, hay-wagon rides, drinks and refreshments and trolley rides.
• River Rhythms: From July through mid-August, patrons can visit the Monteith RiverPark to enjoy the River Rhythms concert series. Nationally known bands are featured in this series each year.
• Northwest Art & Air Festival: Held in Timber Linn Park, the 2008 Northwest Art & Air Festival brought more than 40,000 people out in celebration. Visitors are invited to enjoy hot-air balloon launches, a laser light show, car shows, artist demonstrations and free airplane rides for children between the ages of 8-17, courtesy of the "Young Eagles" program.

GETTING AROUND

Albany offers several options for getting around the area:

• The Linn-Benton Loop Bus and the Courvallis transit system for getting to or from Courvallis.
• The Valley Van Pool, the Valley Retriever, and the Linn Shuttle for the Mid-Valley.
• Amtrack at Albany Station.
• The Hut airport shuttle for getting to Portland International Airport.

LOCAL MEDIA

In addition to the prominent and popular daily newspaper, Albany Democrat-Herald, other newspapers, as well as radio and television stations, serve the Albany area:

• Salem Statesman-Journal
• The Oregonian
• KRKT, 99.9FM (country)
• HOPE, 107.9FM (Christian)
• KFLY, 101.5FM (rock)
• KSND, 95.1FM (rock)
• KSHO, 920AM (oldies)
• KGAL, 1580AM (news/talk)
• ABC Portland: Channel 2 KATU
• CBS Portland: Channel 6 KOIN
• NBC Portland: Channel 8 KGW
• ABC Eugene: Channel 9 KEZI
• PBS Portland: Channel 10 KOPB
• FOX Portland: Channel 12 KPTV
• CBS Eugene: Channel 13 KVAL