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Title
Mid-Valley Our Town 2004-2005
Description
Long before explorers, fur trappers and settlers of the 1800s came to this area, the Kalapuya Indians lived here. They lived in a rich, green land of plenty - camas grew on the prairies, wapato grew in swampy areas on the valley floor, and berries grew in the mountains. Fish were abundant in the rivers and streams, and game was plentiful in the valley and mountains.
The first non-natives to visit what is now Benton County were fur traders and trappers. In April 1812, an exploring party from the Pacific Fur Company’s post at Fort Astoria came up the Willamette River in two canoes. The rich abundance of game, fish and other food moved them to call it “the garden of the Columbia.”
Among the first settlers to arrive was Joseph Avery. In 1845, Avery claimed 640 acres of land on both sides of the Marys River where it enters the Willamette River. Soon after building a cabin for himself on the north shore he platted the town of Marysville and began selling lots.
