History
Find out more about the rich history of Downtown Albany, Oregon.
Downtown Albany Encompasses Three National Historic Districts
From Albany’s first frame house and general store to the vibrant commercial district it is today, Downtown Albany is a destination to discover the past in the City’s civic, commercial and social center. Albany prides itself on historic preservation and a commitment to responsible development in Downtown.
Downtown Albany encompasses three National Historic Districts: Downtown, Monteith and Hackleman. During the Interior Historic Home Tour (held the last Saturday in July) and the Christmas Parlour Tour (held the second Saturday in December), visitors are given a chance to tour homes and buildings in the Monteith Historic District, or stroll through history on a self-guided walking tour any time.
Buildings in the Downtown Historic District date from the 1850s through the 1900s and showcase a variety of architectural styles – Italianate, Queen Anne, American Renaissance, Commercial Brick, Art Moderne, 20th Century Period Revivals and modified French Second Empire.
As the City of Albany developed along the Willamette River and the manufacturing and farming industries grew, other businesses followed. As evidence of Downtown Albany’s continuing vitality and charm, many of these buildings remain in use as restaurants, shops and offices.
Albanys Historic Carousel and Museum
Albany’s Historic Carousel began long ago in the dreams of founder Wendy Kirbey, and in 2002 that dream began to come true as a community project. Over the years that followed, hundreds of volunteers contributed their time and talents—carving and painting animals, restoring the historic mechanism, raising funds, and helping turn an extraordinary idea into one of Downtown Albany’s most beloved landmarks.
The carousel opened in 2017 and revolves around a beautifully restored 1909 Dentzel mechanism. Its colorful menagerie of animals is hand-carved and hand-painted, with each one having its own name, character and story. The work continues today, and visitors can watch volunteer artisans practicing the traditional crafts of carousel carving and painting.
Located at 503 First Avenue West in Downtown Albany, the Carousel is a place to ride, explore, watch artisans at work—or simply appreciate what a community can create together. Hours vary seasonally. For current hours, tours and visitor information, call 541.497.2934 or online at albanycarousel.com.
Albany regional museum
The Albany Regional Museum brings Albany’s history to life through permanent and changing exhibits exploring the people, industries and events that shaped the community. The museum itself is part of that history: it is housed in the 1887 S.E. Young Company building, originally constructed at First and Broadalbin and moved to its present location at Second and Lyon in 1912. The museum was established in 1980 and has called the historic S.E. Young building home since 1999.
Located at 136 Lyon Street SW, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $5, with reduced or free admission available for seniors, children, museum members, veterans and active-duty military.
For current exhibits, events and visitor information, call 541.967.7122 or online at armuseum.com.
The Historic Monteith House
Built in 1849, the Monteith House stands at the very beginning of Albany’s story. Brothers Walter and Thomas Monteith came west over the Oregon Trail, purchased land along the Willamette River and laid out the town they named Albany after their home state capital in New York. Their home, Albany’s first frame house, became a gathering place where some of the young community’s earliest history unfolded.
Over the years, the house witnessed everything from Albany’s first indoor sermon to important religious and political gatherings and the everyday life of a pioneer family. More than a century later, when the aging house faced demolition, the community rallied to save it. Restored and preserved as a museum, the Monteith House is now considered the most authentically restored pioneer-era home in Oregon, offering visitors a remarkable opportunity to step inside the home where Albany began.
Located at 518 Second Avenue SW, the Monteith House welcomes visitors for tours and hosts special programs and events throughout the year. For current hours, tours and events, visit MonteithHouse.org.
Albany’s Great Architect of the Early 1900’s
Charles H. Burggraf practiced architecture in Salem in the 1890s, and moved his practice to Albany around the turn of the century. Burggraf was born in 1866 at Centrailia, Illinois. His father J.G. Burggraf, a native of Germany who pioneered in Illinois, was an architect and builder. Charles Burggraf was educated in public schools in Illinois, and attended Hastings College in Nebraska where he studied surveying, engineering, drawing and architecture. He opened his first architectural office in Hastings, making a specialty of public buildings. In 1890 he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he constructed schools, banks and churches.
In 1891 he moved to Salem, Oregon, designing the Catholic Convent at St. Paul, and the secret society hall of the A.F. & A.M. and the Knights of Pithious Hall in Woodburn, Oregon. In 1896 he won a blue ribbon at the Oregon State Fair for his drawing of a Salem, Oregon building. By the time he designed the first brick building in Brownsville, Oregon, in 1903 Burggraf was practicing in Albany, Oregon.
OREGON- Albany, Ore. Charles H. Burggraf, Architect has completed plans for the new school building to be erected at Glenwood Wash. The board of directors are now receiving bids for its construction Preliminary sketches have been prepared for the new college building contemplated by Albany College.
OREGON- Albany, Ore. Charles H. Burggraf, Architect has completed plans for the new school building to be erected at Glenwood Wash. The board of directors are now receiving bids for its construction Preliminary sketches have been prepared for the new college building contemplated by Albany College.
American Architect and Architecture, Volume 111. June 1917.