Longtime residents of Corvallis rate the city's visual charm, small-town feel and proximity to the valley's abundant natural resources as some of the top reasons for settling here. Although times have changed, it's likely that the early Corvallis settlers of 150 years ago would say the same thing.

Today, Corvallis is celebrating its 150th birthday with a party at ArtCentric from 3 to 5 p.m. On Jan. 28, 1857, the city was officially incorporated.

In 1845, the first official land claims were made on parcels near the Willamette and Marys rivers by Joseph C. Avery. The town was first called Marysville, but the name was changed to Corvallis, a derivation of the Latin for "heart of the valley," in 1853.

Pioneers began pouring into the area after Oregon became a territory of the United States. For a short time, the city was named the capital of the Oregon Territory.

The Gold Rush in California, a steamboat on the Willamette and the rich soil of the valley were all draws. Soon, Corvallis College was established, which would eventually become Oregon State University.

Business, industry and housing began springing up around town, and by 1859, just 15 years after the original land claim, there were nearly 500 residents. By 1861, a flood had wiped out the town of Orleans directly across the river from Corvallis, and by 1870, the town had risen to 1,220 residents.

The newly created railroad system brought Californians to the area in the late 1860s into the 1870s. Grocery stores, lumber yards, mills and saloons sprang up.

Despite fires, floods and other natural and manmade disasters, the community continued to thrive. Corvallis College served as the heart of the community.

Today, Corvallis benefits from a number of large employers, small, family-owned businesses and everything in between.

Known for its population of highly educated, technologically savvy residents, and consistently ranked as a great place to live by a number of national sources, the community continues to attract a diverse group of families, academics, engineers and people interested in sustainability and environmental issues.

An emphasis on bike-friendly commutes, tree-lined streets and community events attracts visitors and new residents alike, and Corvallis has been ranked high when it comes to creativity, technology and renewable energy.

During 2007, the city of Corvallis will celebrate its sesquicentennial with a variety of activities, kicking off with today's birthday party. To find out about the events going on in town this year, go to www.corvallis150.org and click on the events calendar.

Likewise, the Gazette-Times has a number of features planned. On Saturday the newspaper began republishing popular columns by local historian Ken Munford; on Monday and Tuesday it will offer an extensive look at south Corvallis as the first of 12 monthly features on neighborhoods around the city; and later this year the GT will present special sections that look at famous residents today and throughout the city's history.

Information for this article was obtained from the city of Corvallis Web site and Corvallis Tourism Director John Hope Johnstone.

Coming monday

First part of a two-day report on south Corvallis, one of the city's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods.