Dive Into History

Albany is a destination for history and architecture enthusiasts!

Albany boasts the most varied collection of historic architectural styles in Oregon, with more than 800 historic buildings concentrated within roughly 100 blocks. Four National Register Historic Districts showcase an exceptional range of architecture, from Albany’s earliest pioneer-era buildings through the Victorian era and into the twentieth century.

The Monteith, Hackleman and Downtown Commercial districts offer a walk through more than a century of Albany’s development. Visitors can find everything from Italianate, Queen Anne and French Second Empire architecture to Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revival homes, commercial brick buildings and early twentieth-century cottages. Look closely and you’ll discover elaborate woodwork, distinctive rooflines, ornate windows and porches, historic storefronts and buildings that have been adapted and reused as Albany has grown.

At the heart of that story is the Monteith House. Brothers Thomas and Walter Monteith began building Albany’s first frame house in 1849, completing it in early 1850. Today, the Monteith House operates as a museum and is considered the most authentically restored pioneer-era home in Oregon, offering visitors a remarkably accurate glimpse into life in the mid-nineteenth century.

Albany’s history even extends to the early days of aviation. The Albany Municipal Airport is among the oldest airports in the country still in operation, and a portion of it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its rare 1929 hangar features distinctive lattice-truss construction and can still be visited today.

Twice each year, Albany opens the doors to some of its historic homes during the Summer Historic Interior Home Tour in July and the Christmas Parlour Tour in December. These tours offer a rare opportunity to step beyond the front porch and experience the architecture, craftsmanship and stories inside some of the city’s remarkable historic properties.

Albany’s history is also carried forward through its traditions. The community has gathered to commemorate Armistice Day and Veterans Day for more than a century, with observances dating to 1919 and the organized parade tradition beginning in 1951. Today, the Linn County Veterans Day Parade is recognized as the largest Veterans Day parade west of the Mississippi. Each November, thousands of spectators line the streets of Downtown Albany as veterans, marching bands, military units, vehicles and community groups continue a tradition generations in the making.