Twelve miles south of Salem, on the west bank of the Willamette River, is the small city of Independence, population 8,590 (2010 census). It's off the beaten path, not on I-5, nor on State Highway 99W. As a result, unlike many larger Willamette Valley cities, most of its great late 19th century and early 20th century historic buildings remain standing. There are occasional erroneous references to the town being the western end of the Oregon Trail, perhaps due to the fact that it was apparently named after Independence, Missouri, the eastern end of the Oregon Trail (the actual western end of the trail is in Oregon City). Regardless, the town dates from 1845, and this walk will go by many commercial and residential buildings constructed during the town's heyday as the hop-growing capital of the U.S. in the late 19th century. The entire central part of town is a National Historic District. Despite its small size Independence is not one of America's declining small towns - it is growing in both population and jobs. But it's definitely not in Oregon's "fast lane," so enjoy the small town atmosphere and scenery on display. The walk is 2.5 miles long, and is entirely on flat terrain.
This walk begins at Riverview Park, along the Willamette River. It is the only public access to the river in the City. Park near the boat ramp and start back up toward the city. Loaner life jackets are helpfully provided for boaters.
Riverfront Park has seen significant improvements over the past decade, most notably this attractive public amphitheater. It hosts movies and concert events in the summer. The historic buildings of Main Street are to the west, across the street from the park.
Proceed through the park away from the river toward Main Street. Once at Main Street, turn left. This Main Street is a classic example of the type - it is so authentic that it almost could be transplanted into Disneyland (irony intended!). The city maintains a lot of information
on its website regarding Main Street's architecture and other historic buildings in town, and
this link will provide access to a Main Street walking tour, describing the historic structures in detail. At the corner of Main St. and C St. is the Cooper Block, built in 1895 in a Queen Anne style. It is one of two buildings along the block with a spire.
Continue one block south on Main Street to Monmouth Street, and here is the second building with a spire. This one was built in 1892 to house the Independence National Bank.
Continue along Main Street, exiting the commercial district at D Street. On the left side of the street, at 435 Main Street, is this home, in a "vernacular" style, built in 1888. "Vernacular" is not actually an architectural style, but rather a term used to describe typical architecture of a community or area, using easily available, inexpensive materials, and serving localized architectural needs and living preferences. As an example, the houses being built in today's suburbs, using a mish-mash of traditional styles, with garages facing the street in front of the house living area, could be described as today's "vernacular" architecture. Anyway, this particular house appears to need some paint and perhaps other refurbishment. This walk will go by a few houses in this state - a sign that Independence still has some "bargain" historic houses for those with a taste for rehab projects at an affordable price.
Continuing on Main Street past E Street, on the left, is the city's very new shiny city hall, or "civic center," as it is officially known. On the right side of Main Street are a couple of 19th century historic homes in the "vernacular" style.
Continue on Main Street to G Street, then turn right. Cross the railroad tracks and then turn right onto Third Street. You will be in the middle of an old industrial district that was built adjacent to the railroad. To your right up ahead is this old-fashioned water tower, emblazoned with the town name in large letters. A very short and very boring youtube video of the tower can be found
here.
After one block on Third Street turn left onto F Street, and then after one block turn right onto Fourth Street. After you cross E street the next block has several historic houses, generally modest and in "vernacular" style, between E and D Streets. This particular house, built in 1895, is actually considered "historic non-contributing" because the entry was added in 1985 and the windows altered to a non-period style. However the house still looks great anyway.
At the corner of Fourth and D Streets is this mission-style church building, constructed in 1927. Originally occupied by the Calvary Presbyterian Church, it is now the home of the
Life Center Foursquare Church, a local non-denominational congregation. A brief perusal of the congregation's website would indicate that it has fairly fundamental, conservative Christian beliefs.
Turn left on D Street and proceed three blocks to Seventh Street. At Seventh turn right and go one block to Monmouth Street, so named because it connects the adjacent cities of Independence and Monmouth (to the west). Turn right on Monmouth. This Street contains a number of historic structures, including this one on the right at the corner of Sixth and Monmouth, constructed in 1895. It has beautiful landscaping around the Victorian-style structure.
As you continue the walk down Monmouth Street the parade of historic homes continues, This particular bungalow-style structure, located on the right between Fourth and Third Streets, only qualifies as being of "secondary" significance within the Independence Historic District, because it was constructed in 1913 and is not in a Victorian, Queen Anne, or "Vernacular" style. It is a grand home nonetheless.
When you reach Third Street, turn left. At the corner of Third and Monmouth is the
Berean Baptist Church. The current congregation is occupying a building originally constructed in 1874 as the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was later apparently occupied by St. Patrick's Catholic Church (now located farther west in town). The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
But before proceeding down Third Street, take a look down Monmouth toward the river (east). The large unfinished building on the right is a monument to the real estate mania of 2005-2006 and a misplaced desire to build the "world's
greenest building." The builder undoubtedly thought that if this was feasible in a place like Independence, Oregon, it was feasible anywhere in the U.S. He turned out to be wrong.
Go north on Third Street one block to C Street. At the corner of C and Third is this 1888 home, a primary significant contributing structure within the Independence Historic District.
Turn left on C Street, go one block and then turn right on Fourth Street. On your left is the Independence Elementary School. This stately brick building was completed in 1926.
Continue on 4th Avenue past the elementary school. Cross B Street and continue one more block to A Street. At the corner of A and 4th, on the right, is this 1910 home, which is in need of refurbishment. Is designated as a "historic non-contributing" structure because replacement windows are not in the original style and the front porch is boarded over. If refurbished in original style, this home could rejoin its neighbors in enhancing the historic character of the neighborhood.
Turn right on A Street, and then left on Walnut Street. After one block turn right on Butler Street, and then right again onto Log Cabin Street. Back at A Street, turn right and then make a quick left onto Third Street. All of these blocks contain modest, historic homes built before or at the turn of the 20th Century. Proceeding down Third Street, this home on the right was built in 1888, and has a festive Halloween decoration in the front at the appropriate time of year.
At the corner of Third Street and B Street is the
Independence Heritage Museum. The museum is located what was originally constructed in 1888 as the First Baptist Church.
Turn left on B Street and go one block to Second Street. As you cross second street, you will see the tracks of the Portland and Western Railroad in a private right of way to the north, and then in the middle of Second Street to the south. This railroad was once the west side (as in west of the Willamette River) line between Portland and Eugene. It is now a lightly used branch railway, which is why tracks in the middle of the street aren't much of an inconvenience, especially on a lightly-travelled street.
Turn right on Second Street. On your right are two more historic houses, built in 1880 and 1895. On the left, at the corner of Second and B, is an historic home built in 1910.
At C Street turn left and proceed one block to Main Street. Cross Main Street, and you will be back at your starting point - Riverfront Park.
