Page 29 - Corvallis, OR Historic Preservation Plan

Historic Preservation Plan

Great Depression and World War II

(1930-1945)

Corvallis was largely spared the severity of the Great Depression, with
little indications other than a rise in a transient population and stalling il
of any further private construction. The U.S. involvement in World —
War II, on the other hand, significantly stimulated the economy, when
Camp Adair was established five miles north of the town. At its peak,
Camp Adair was the second largest city in Oregon. This brought about
a severe housing shortage in town and many houses were converted m
into apartments to meet the demand. The camp was closed shortly
after the end of the war. A Wf

II ?w (
Post-War Years (1945-1960)
While the end of World War II saw the closure of Camp Adair, the camp’s ~r- .H
presence was felt well after. There is little doubt the return of service
members, coupled with the 1944 GI Bill, contributed significantly
to the 93% increase in population experienced between 1940 and
1950. While remaining healthy, the city’s growth slowed through the £***
1950s, increasing 27.5% between 1950 and 1960, from approximately
16,200 to 20, 670. As could be expected, OSU experienced significant ; \
enrollment growth during this time as well. Between 1940 and 1950, r
enrollment grew from approximately 4,759 to 5,887 students (a 24%
change), and between 1950 and 1960, enrollment grew by 34% to
approximately 7,899 students.

Era of Social Change (1961-1980)

The 1960s saw tremendous population growth in Corvallis, which is
also reflected in a rise in OSU enrollment. Between 1960 and 1970,
the City’s population grew by 70% to 35,150 and OSU’s enrollment
grew by 96% to over 15,500 students. The sixties also saw a focus of
growth in north Corvallis, which included the city’s first master planned
development known as Timberhill.

While population growth and OSU enrollment slowed in the 1970s,
this decade saw the major expansion of the regional hospital and the
introduction of one of the major employers, both in north Corvallis. In
1975, the Good Samaritan Hospital moved operations to their current
location overlooking Highway 99W from their previous location near
Harrison Boulevard and 29th Street (since demolished). That same
year, Hewlett-Packard (HP) began construction on a 154,000 square
foot plant located along Circle Boulevard between Highways 99W and
20. The intense public opposition to the development and annexation
of the HP property led to Corvallis adopting a requirement of voter
approval for all annexations in 1976, the first city in Oregon to do so.
By the end of the 1970s, HP employed approximately 1,200 people.

Final: November 15, 2017 23