Your Guide to Buying a Home in Corvallis, OR

Buying a Home in Corvallis, Oregon

(Corvallis enjoys the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest)

Corvallis is located in Benton County

The Willamette Valley was the 'Eden' at the end of the Oregon Trail for thousands of Americans who migrated to this region in the mid-nineteenth century. Located at the confluence of the Willamette and Mary's Rivers, Corvallis was described in 1874 as, ...an incorporated city and county seat of Benton County, located on the west bank of the Willamette River, on a beautiful plateau one and a half miles wide, entirely above high water. The plateau upon which the city is built extends back to the foothills, until it is lost in the Coast Range of mountains, which divides the Willamette Valley from the Pacific Ocean.

The first official claims to land in this area were two 640 acre parcels; one at the junction of the Willamette and Mary's Rivers claimed by Joseph C. Avery in 1845, the other by William F. Dixon in 1846. Originally named Marysville, Corvallis was renamed by Avery in 1853 to avoid confusion with Marysville, California. Avery is credited with coining the town 'Corvallis' a name which he made up by compounding the Latin words for 'heart of the valley'. (Courtesy of the City of Corvallis)

Corvallis is nestled in the Willamette Valley, and is about 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean shoreline. This relatively close proximity to the ocean helps to keep the weather in the city mild throughout the year. Many natural wonders surround this area, including the Cascade Mountains, the Willamette National Forest, and the Siuslaw National Forest.

Truly, Corvallis has much to offer, whether it be the pleasant and peaceful setting, or the city's diverse economy that provides an array of opportunities. Early on, the economy was based on agriculture, timber and education. Oregon State University, founded in Corvallis in 1862, is a land grant university specializing in agricultural education, though the current curriculum includes as many areas of study as any large state college. While Corvallis continues to take advantage of the fertile soil and mild climate in the production of seeds and wood products, the largest growing industry here is technology. In fact, Hewlett-Packard is headquartered here, with over 5,000 employees in 1999. Corvallis is also the original home of CH2M Hill, a consulting firm of engineers, planners, economists and environmental scientists. The company employs approximately 420 regional and corporate employees in its Corvallis offices.