The humble beginnings of Albany Oregon 97321

Located at the confluence of the Calapooia (Cal-ah- pooh-ya) River and the Willamette River, Albany is the 12^th largest city in Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley. Albany is the county seat of Linn County, with an estimated population of +- 42, 280.

Up until the 19^th century, the area was inhabited by Kalapuya, a Native American people who lived in the middle Willamette Valley. The Kalapya called the area Takenah, from a word describing the "deep pool where the Calapooia River meets the Willamette River" or "hole in the ground".

The first European settler inside the current city limits of Albany arrived in 1846. Albany was founded by the brothers Walter and Thomas Monteith, a family of early prominence in the area, in 1848, when they bought the claim to the townsite from Hiram Smeed for $400 and a horse. They named the city "Albany", after their hometown in New York.

Albany is known as the "rare metals capital of the world" producing zirconium, hafnium and titanium.

Local farms grow crops that include corn, beans, mint, strawberries, hazelnuts, and grass seed.

For more information regarding Albany Oregon, check these sites:

• City of Albany, Oregon, Official Web Site

• Albany Visitors Association - Albany, Oregon

• Albany, Oregon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• Albany Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce

• Albany Oregon Real Estate For Sale