Albany Monteith Historic District - History

History

The Monteith District, located on the west side of downtown Albany, is named after Walter and Thomas Monteith, the founders of Albany. After arriving in Oregon from New York in 1847, the Monteith brothers completed the first frame house in Albany in 1849, which now serves as a museum and is said to be the most authentically restored Pioneer Era home in Oregon. Much of the earlier history centers around the Monteith House.

The Monteith district contains a number of churches. A former United Presbyterian Church, now known as "Whitespires", is located at the corner of Washington and Fifth. It was built in 1891 and is noted for its stained glass windows and Carpenter Gothic details. Its spire is the highest point in Albany.

In 1851, the Monteith family built and owned the Magnolia Flouring Mills along the Calapooia River. With the mill in operation, the first boat ever to travel the upper Willamette River, the Multnomah, arrived in Albany, thereby increasing Albany's shipping potential for the manufacturing and farming industries.

The Monteith Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 29, 1980. The time period of significance for all of Albany’s historic districts was expanded in 2000 from 1849 to 1915 to 1849 to 1945 to capture resources and architectural styles constructed between 1915 and 1945 that reflect the growth and development of Albany. The Monteith District was expanded in November 2008 to add 78 properties on the southwest corner of the original boundary to include a cohesive collection of early to mid-twentieth century residential buildings. Many distinct architectural styles grace the district. Included are Federal, Craftsman, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, French Second Empire, Stick, Eastlake, Colonial Revival, Rural Vernacular, Transitional Box, Bungalow, American Renaissance, Depression/WWII Cottages, and eclectic hybrids that combine elements of these styles.