Albany (Oregon)

Albany is the 11th-largest city in the state of Oregon. Nicknamed the "Hub of the Valley", it is 69 miles (111 km) south of Portland and 44 miles (71 km) north of Eugene. The town sits at the confluence of the Willamette River and Calapooia River. Albany's streets are lined with historic homes and a carousel museum. Its location in the Willamette Valley, known for its wine, allows the town to offer locally made wine, as well as cider and beer.

Understand
Historically, Albany was populated by the Kalapuya people. Albany was called Takenah by the Kalapuya, which describes a deep pool at the confluence of the Calapoola and Willamette rivers. The population, which totaled upwards of 20,000 before European contact, suffered the effects of smallpox brought by the Europeans in 1782-83. Additional damage was done to the community by malaria, which arrived in the area between 1830-33. The majority of the populations of the Kalapuya was killed in the epidemics. By the 1850s, treaties opened the door for Europeans to have complete control of the land that would become Albany.

Abner Hackleman was the first European to settle in the area, in 1845. Eventually, more Europeans came to the area via the Oregon Trail, including the Monteith Brothers. These two families, the Monteith and Hackleman's would develop two opposing communities in the area. For example, the Hackleman's identified as Democrats, when the Monteith's were Republicans. The community came at odds during the American Civil War, with the Hacklemans supporting the Confederacy and the Monteiths, the Union. Historic homes today represent the memory of these families. Albany is split into two sides, East and West, represented by the legacy of these families. The Monteiths are identified as the founding family of Albany, however.

In the 1850s the California Gold Rush brought economic prosperity to the area, and in 1852 the first steamboat arrived at Albany. The town was named Albany in the late 1840s, then New Albany in 1850, and back to Albany in 1853. Trains passed through Albany starting in 1871, and the world's largest wooden railroad drawbridge was built in Albany in 1888. A canal, which still exists, runs 18 miles through the south side of Albany, it was built in 1872. Albany used to host the Albany World Championship Timber Carnival, but alas, small crowds and the failing timber economy had it end in 2001.

Today, Albany is called the "rare metals capital of the world," producing lots of metals with a specific focus on zirconium. The area also produces fruit and is also known for its grass seed production. Oregon Freeze Dry is the main employer in the region, launching the green tech industry in the area. Albany hosts the annual Northwest Air and Art Festival, wine walks, and other local celebrations. The town is also known for its historic architecture, representing periods ranging from Second Empire to Colonial Revival. The area has been featured on the program This Old House and has one of the oldest Carnegie Libraries still in use in the country. Albany's sister city is Albany, Australia.

By car
Albany is located at Exits 233 and 24 and shortly after the city limits at 228 off the I-5. The city can also be accessed from U.S. Route 20, Oregon Route 99E or Oregon Route 34 that provide access from the nearby regions. In real time however - driving from Portland to Albany takes about an hour and a half. If traffic is heavy it could be longer than two hours. Traffic usually bottlenecks around Tigard or Lake Oswego and is slow going from there to Portland.

By train

 * Routes stopping in Albany:
 * Amtrak Cascades operates between Vancouver, BC and Eugene via Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia, Kelso (Longview), Vancouver, WA, Portland, Oregon City, Salem, and Albany.  There are two round trips daily along the portion between Vancouver and Seattle, four round trips daily along the portion between Seattle and Portland, and two round trips daily along the portion between Portland and Eugene.  No train departures travel the whole length of the route. Additional service between Vancouver and Seattle, and between Portland to Eugene are provided on the Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach.
 * Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Portland, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. Between Seattle and Eugene, it makes the same stops as the Amtrak Cascades, except it skips Tukwila and Oregon City. The train offers the prettiest commute, complete with food and drink. Coast Starlight offers overnight accommodations.
 * Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Portland, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. Between Seattle and Eugene, it makes the same stops as the Amtrak Cascades, except it skips Tukwila and Oregon City. The train offers the prettiest commute, complete with food and drink. Coast Starlight offers overnight accommodations.

By plane

 * Corvallis Municipal Airport in Corvallis is a publicly owned airport in Corvallis, about 15 miles south of Albany.
 * Portland International Airport 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland. +1 503-460-4234. The closest international airport, this is where you'll most likely fly into if you are not flying a private plane into the smaller public airports above. It is 80.6 miles north of Albany. You can take a train, bus, or rent a car to get to Albany.
 * Portland International Airport 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland. +1 503-460-4234. The closest international airport, this is where you'll most likely fly into if you are not flying a private plane into the smaller public airports above. It is 80.6 miles north of Albany. You can take a train, bus, or rent a car to get to Albany.

Get around
A car is helpful, but getting around historic downtown Albany can easily be done by foot.

By bus

 * Albany Transit provides bus service to major streets throughout the city. All bus stops have signs, and the main bus stop is located at Albany Station, which is downtown. Single ride tickets are $1 for adults, 50 cents for seniors (60+) and children under the age of 6 ride for free. Albany City Hall and Albany Station sell monthly bus passes. Buses do not run on major holidays.
 * Linn-Benton Loop is a bus service that travels between Albany and Corvallis. It runs at shorter intervals, but is great if you're heading to Oregon State University. Tickets are $1.50 for adults (18+), and 75 cents for seniors and youth. If you have an OSU, Linn-Benton Community College, Samaritan Health Services or Hewlett-Packard ID card, you ride for free! They do have bicycle racks.

By car
Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget all offer car rental in Albany.

By taxi

 * Willamette Taxi II Service, +1 541 928-8288

Outdoors and sports

 * Golf anyone? Albany has two golf courses, both 18-hole and open year round:
 * Golf anyone? Albany has two golf courses, both 18-hole and open year round:

Sleep
Albany isn't known for its remarkable accommodations. You'll most likely get stuck at a chain motel, or, try your hand at camping.