Forest Grove SD history

In 1844, Harvey Clark arrived in the area and joined with Alvin Smith in starting the Congregational Church.

In 1849, the Academy was established with land donated by Harvey Clark (20 acres) and Elkanah Walker (12-1/2 acres). The town site was laid out around the school.

In 1850, a two-story building now known as Old College Hall was constructed for the Academy.

Sam Hughes built his home at 2111 Hawthorne Street in 1867 and was the city’s first blacksmith.

By 1870, 396 people lived in Forest Grove and the community population was starting to diversify with only 33% of those employed working as farmers.

Walker’s Addition, which was just north of the original town plat, was added in 1872.

In 1892 electric power was established in Forest Grove.

Children would gather to pick up the old ones, and use them to draw with.” In 1895 a city election was held to raise $30,000 in order to build locally-owned city water and power systems.

In 1906 E.W. Haines started a streetcar line to carry passengers down South Elm Street to the rail stop in Carnation.

In 1914 the name of Tualatin Academy was officially changed to Pacific University.

By 1930 paved roads connected Forest Grove with McMinnville, Portland and the coast.

The damage resulting from the Tillamook Burn (1933) and subsequent fires, along with the impacts of the Great Depression hurt the local economy and slowed development.