Corvallis

Corvallis is a university town in western Oregon that stretches along the Willamette River and is surrounded by forested hills of the Coast Range. Parks are scattered between residential neighborhoods, while the river flows through the center and connects riverbank paths with shops and restaurants.

Joseph C. Avery founded the settlement on the river in 1845 and initially called it Marysville before it received the Latin name Corvallis, meaning heart of the valley. The location later became the county seat and home to the agricultural college founded in 1868.

Oregon State University shapes the town's character with its campus woven between residential streets and local shops. Throughout the academic year, cafés and libraries fill with students working on projects or attending lectures.

The town is easy to explore by bicycle, as bike paths connect residential areas with the center and parks along the river. Hiking trails start at the edge of town and lead into the hills west of the settlement.

A government laboratory on the edge of town preserves seeds and plants of fruit trees, including hazelnuts, berries and pears for scientific purposes. Researchers share these collections with farmers and breeders worldwide.

Location: Benton County

Inception: 1845

Founders: Joseph C. Avery

Elevation above the sea: 72 m

Address: Corvallis, OR, USA

Website: http://corvallisoregon.gov

GPS coordinates: 44.57078,-123.27600

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03