Corvallis, OR

The home to the Oregon State University, Corvallis is situated in West Oregon at the meeting of the Willamette and Mary's rivers. In 1853, the state legislative assembly changed the name from Marysville to Corvallis, which means "heart of the valley" in Latin. Corvallis served briefly as the state capital of Oregon until Salem was selected in 1855. Today Corvallis has an estimated population of about 51,000 and acts as the county seat of Benton County.

With the Coastal and Cascade Mountain ranges nearby, and the Willamette running through town, Corvallis residents have plenty of opportunity for hiking, biking, water sports and skiing. Or, for a taste of a more urban experience, Portland is about 85 miles away.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Many residents of Corvallis have expressed their opinion that no areas of the city are bad places to live. Crime in all areas of the city has remained fairly low. Although Corvallis is a college town, the majority of students is housed in a cluster of residences around the university.

Some of the most recommended neighborhoods are situated at various intersections across the city:

• The area at Garfield and 17th Street has upscale homes and neighborhoods.
• The neighborhood that encompasses Satinwood, Walnut and Ninth Street offers affordable housing.
• Newer housing can be found around 53rd Street and Philomath Boulevard.
• The northwest section of town seems to be most desirable by many, followed by the southwest, northeast and southeast quadrants of town.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

A Hewlett-Packard printer-cartridge-manufacturing site and prototyping facility is located within the city limits of Corvallis. Oregon State University is another major employer, along with companies in the engineering and forestry industries.

EDUCATION

Corvallis is among the most highly educated cities in Oregon.

• Elementary and kindergarten-through-8th grade schools in the city include Adams Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Garfield Elementary School, Hoover Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School. Independent elementary schools in the area are Corvallis Montessori School and Corvallis Waldorf.
• Middle schools in the area include Cheldelin Middle School and Linus Pauling Middle School. There is also the Independent Ashbrook Middle School.
• High School options in Corvallis are Corvallis High School and Crescent Valley High School.
• As for colleges, Corvallis is home to Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community College.

BEST BETS

The city of Corvallis offers a number of enticing recreational activities, many of which involve the outdoors:

• The city offers many outdoor parks, such as Walnut City Park, Village Green City Park, Franklin City Park, Peanut City Park, and Avery City Park. Avery City Park maintains an attractive rose garden, which is home to 1,200 rose bushes. These fragrant flowers bloom from May through October. Approximately 250 varieties of roses are represented in the garden.
• Corvallis offers in excess of 60 miles of bike paths throughout the city. These paths run along the Willamette River, through the many parks of Corvallis, and alongside the city streets. Bike USA declared Corvallis a "Bike Friendly City," and the city has been ranked ninth in the nation with regard to the proportion of individuals who ride a bicycle to work.
• Bird watching is a popular hobby in Corvallis. Individuals with an interest in birds should not miss out on the opportunity to observe the many species that are native to the northwestern United States.
• Golfing is another popular hobby in Corvallis. A "Top Ten Golf Getaway," as named by the Oregonian Newspaper, the Diamond Woods Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course with a par of 72. Meanwhile, the Trysting Tree Golf Club was ranked as the ninth best public golf course in the state.

LOCAL MEDIA

Corvallis citizens can enjoy a number of newspapers, radio stations, and television channels:

• The Corvallis Gazette-Times is the local daily newspaper.
• The Alchemist is an alternative weekly publication focused on art, music, and entertainment. This publication relies on readers for its content.
• Cable Channel 21, the local television channel, offers viewers information about the Corvallis government. This information includes broadcasts of taped city council meetings, relevant news about upcoming meetings (including the meeting times and topics), information about area job openings, and information about activities and events that will be taking place in Corvallis.
• Cable Channel 29, run by the city of Corvallis, offers a format for public service announcements and provides a convenient and comprehensive calendar of local Corvallis events.
• KBVR (88.7 FM) is the radio station of Oregon State University.
• KFLY (101.5 FM) delivers a rock radio format.
• KLOO (106.3FM) is a classic hits radio station.
• KOAC (550 AM) is the area's public radio station.
• KEJO (1240 AM) provides talk radio for its listeners.
• KLOO (1340AM) is a news/talk radio station.