History

History of Early Aumsville

For more complete historical information, contact the Aumsville Historical Society at 503-749-2744. Or check out the Aumsville Historical Society's website. 

The Aumsville Museum & History Center is located at 599 Main St., Aumsville. They are open by appointment. Call Ted Shepard to set an appointment, 503-749-2744. 

The central Willamette Valley was home to Native Americans of the Kalapuya Tribe. White settlers arrived in the mid-1800’s as part of the overland emigrant migration to Oregon. Marion County was identified as the Eden at the end of the Oregon Trail.

Historic Timeline

1843    Davie Lewis built sawmill on claim east of Aumsville

1843    John McHaley took up the first claim on land that includes eastern part of Aumsville.

1844    McHaley’s stepdaughter Polly Frazier married Reuben Lewis and they claimed land in Aumsville.

1848    Wagon train with Stephen and William Porter left Illinois for Oregon.

1849    William worked to build cabin and small herd of cattle. He went on to become the chief clerk at the first Territorial Legislative Assembly at Oregon City. He later served as a senator.

1850    Donation Land Claim Act passed for Oregon Territory allowing 320 acres to a single man, 640 acres to a married couple (half in each name).

1852    Henry L., Judith Turner, and family came over in covered wagon, purchased land from John McHaley.

1855    William Porter built a frame building which became the first school, also used as the church on Sundays. Henry Smith and Rueben Lewis built another school in the area near now Aumsville Hwy.

1856    Land was now secured under the Homestead Act at the price of $1.25 per acre. 

1863    Henry Turner and sons build flourmill on their farm, what would become town of Aumsville. Community was called “Hoggum” due to pig farms. Before the mill was completed Turner’s son-in-law died. Aumsville is named after him, Amos (Aumus) Davis.

1864    Henry Turner and Henry Smith platted the town.

1866    First general store opened in Aumsville.

1868    Post office moved to Aumsville from Condit.

[School] 1880    Oregon Railway began operating. Tracks cross Shaff Road south of Aumsville.

 1893   School was built on 9th between Main and Church. This school was in use until 1922.

1922    Amos Davis school opened in same location as previous school. This was in use through 1972.

1950    Local high school closed and became part of the Cascade High School.

1963    Maude Porter Boone donated 5 acres that had been part of her grandfather’s donation land claim to the City of Aumsville, and it’s now Porter-Boone Park

-- Courtesy of the Aumsville

    Historical Society