The City of Independence is the third largest urban area in Polk County, Oregon. Located twelve miles southwest of Salem, on the west bank of the Willamette River, it was known as the “Hop Capital of the World” from the late 1890’s to the 1940’s.

The first group of wagon trains to arrive in Independence set out from Missouri in May, 1844, following the Platte River to Fort Laramie and continuing on the Oregon Trail to the city of The Dalles. At The Dalles, they loaded onto boats, traveled the Columbia River, going around the Cascades, and continued on the Oregon Trail, arriving in Independence in June of 1845.

Among the members of the party were several families from Council Bluffs, Iowa, led by John Thorp. His son, Elvin staked a claim just north of Ash Creek, and in the southeast corner of the claim platted a small town site. Today, the area is referred to as either “Old Town” or “Thorp’s Town.”

Sources give Mrs. Thomas Burbank, the wife of an early pioneer who settled several miles southwest of the town site, the cred of suggesting the name of the Missouri town of Independence for the new settlement. Not only was the town the starting point for many emigrants who came across the Oregon Trail, but one source identified the community  as Thorp’s hometown. Thorp consented to the name on the condition that the Burbanks move to the new town and build a store. The town flourished due to its strategic transportation location on the Willamette River. It’s success ended abruptly however after the flood of 1861, which left the town devastated. Residents were apprehensive about rebuilding in the original location, and plans for a new town began.

In 1847, Henry Hill arrived in the area. On November 14th, Hill claimed a one square mile Donation Land Claim south of Ash Creek, and opened a log cabin store. After the 1861 flood, many residents wanted Hill to plat a new town, immediately to the south of Thorp’s Town of Independence, but on higher, flatter ground. In 1867, Hill platted the 40-acre town site that became known as Henry Hill’s Town of Independence.

By February 26, 1885, Thorp’s and Hill’s Towns of Independence were incorporate, and the 1880s brought prosperity and growth to the community. Most of the major buildings standing today were constructed during the period. A city government was formed, and the first City employee, John Bohannon, was hired as City watchman and marshal at $45.00 per month. A Mayor-Council form of government was also established, the form of government that continues today.

Between 1900 and 1940, the growing, cultivating and harvesting of hops was the town’s largest industry and greatly enriched the city’s coffers. The community was considered to be the “Hop Capitol of the World.”

Each year, beginning in July, thousands of pickers descended on the city, coming by boat, wagon and train for the hop harvest. They bedded down in tents in the hop yards, slept on straw, and cooked on sheet iron camp stoves. At the height of the hop era, in the 1920’s and 1930’s, there were close to 4,600 acres in the surrounding area planted for hops.

In the 1940s, as a result of competition from foreign markets and new production methods for beer, the hop industry declined.  By 1950 there was virtually nothing left of the once thriving industry.

The City of Independence formed the Independence Historic District in 1989 to celebrate the community’s heritage. This 30-block area, located on the west bank of the Willamette River, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and retains much of the early character and architecture from the 1880’s.

For an analysis of Independence’s history excerpted from the 1982 National Register Listing, please follow this link