Attractions In & About - Corvallis, Oregon

Corvallis is a green fertile city in the Willamette Valley, Corvallis enjoys mild 
temperatures and easy access to the Pacific Ocean, 
the Cascade Mountains, the high desert of Eastern Oregon and the big city amenities of 
Portland and Eugene. Livability, economic health and quality of life are priorities here.

Corvallis has progressive education, sophisticated health care services, 
beautiful parks, extensive recreational opportunities and friendly churches. 
Corvallis continues to promote the economy by encouraging new and expanding 
businesses and modern technology. Corvallis' goal is to have a balance of 
quality of life and economic development, and they actively seek and promote both.

History
Corvallis was first named Marysville in 1845, after early settler Mary Lloyd. 
In 1847, the residents of Marysville petitioned to form Benton County, named for 
Thomas Hart Benton, an advocate of the development of the Oregon Territory. 
In 1853, the city was renamed Corvallis, meaning "Heart of the Valley."

Corvallis has lots of leisure activities to choose from, with more than fifty 
parks and designated preserves. There are public and private recreational 
facilities for tennis, racquetball, golf, swimming, fitness, soccer, softball, 
basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, karate, horseback riding, 
and more that sixty miles of bike and running paths. Backpacking, 
mountaineering, canoeing, camping, rafting, ski touring and bike touring are 
all popular with Corvallis residents. Freshwater fishing of trout and 
steelhead is excellent in the surrounding rivers and streams.

The Willamette River offers water sports, and the recreational areas of Alsea Falls, 
Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Mary's Peak and Peavy Arboretum are within a half-hour drive. 
The area's historic covered bridges, world-class wineries and historic 
buildings are all found on scenic routes throughout Benton County. 
Golfers have several public and private courses from which to choose.

Musical events and ballet are accessible here and in nearby communities. 
The University Theater, the OSU LaSells Stewart Center, the CH2M HILL 
Alumni Center 
and the restored Majestic Theater in downtown Corvallis offer plays, 
symphony concerts, lectures, conferences and seminars 
throughout the year. Art lovers enjoy the 
wide variety of art at galleries, 
both on the OSU campus and around town, where 
there are many private galleries in addition to the Corvallis Arts Center 
and the Benton County Historical Museum Gallery.

Festivals in the area include da Vinci Days, a three-day celebration of art, 
science and technology each July; the Corvallis Fall Festival, 
a celebration of the arts 
and music every September; the Oregon Folklife Festival, presenting 
folk music and dance; and the Red, White and Blues Festival featuring 
blues music and many activities before 
the annual waterfront fireworks display on the Fourth of July.

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