McMinnville, Oregon


McMinnville is the county seat of and largest city in Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. According to Oregon Geographic Names, it was named by its founder, William T. Newby, an early immigrant on the Oregon Trail, for his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 32,187.
McMinnville is at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Yamhill River in the Willamette Valley. The city is home to Cascade Steel, Oregon Mutual Insurance Company, Linfield University, Organic Valley creamery, Joe Dancer Park, and Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, the home of Howard Hughes' famed Spruce Goose flying boat.

History

Town founder William T. Newby joined the Great Migration of 1843, later claiming land in 1844 on the present site of McMinnville in what was known as the Oregon Country. He built a grist mill in 1853 at what would become the west end of Third Street. On May 5, 1856 Newby platted a town and named it after his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. Newby would later make a substantial donation of land for the founding of an institution of higher learning in the town, originally called McMinnville College but known today as Linfield University.
McMinnville was incorporated as a town in 1876 and became a city in 1882. County residents voted to move the county seat of Yamhill County from Lafayette to McMinnville in 1886.

Geography

McMinnville is from Lincoln City on the Pacific Ocean, from Portland, and from Salem, the state capital.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of, all of it land.

Economy

In 2019 the Oregon International Air Show switched to the McMinnville Municipal Airport. The airshow promotes Aviation while honoring Military and Veterans. In addition to the economic surge provided by the Air Show, the Oregon International Air Show involves the community and provides grants for McMinnville. Since 1988 more than $3 million has donated back throughout McMinnville, Hillsboro, and throughout Oregon. Express Employment Professionals, Stoller Family Estates, and Xenium are the lead sponsors for the upcoming 2020 Air Show.
In the early 60's, Kelton Peery, Chuck Colvin and Willard Cushing felt it was time for the city to have a private golf course and began to search for property. They soon persuaded Captain Francis Michelbook this was a proper use for his land, a dairy farm that was later used for raising turkeys. Captain Michelbook did have some conditions to proceed, one that it would perpetually bear the family name "Michelbook" and with the swipe of a pen was the beginning of Michelbook Country Club. Michelbook Country Club was developed on the land of Captain Francis Michelbook. Land development in the area of the country club has been a factor in McMinnville's growth".
Since 1968, McMinnville has been home to Cascade Steel, a Schnitzer Steel Industries company. The Cascade Steel Rolling Mills is a manufacturing facility turning recycled metal into high-quality finished steel products. Cascade Steel Rolling Mills utilizes electric arc furnace mini-mill production for a wide range of hot rolled products including rebar, coiled reinforcing bar, wire rod, and merchant bar.
In 2016, Organic Valley purchased Farmers Cooperative Creamery in McMinnville, Oregon. It serves 72 co-op members in Oregon and Washington. Organic Valley is the nation's largest farmer-owned organic cooperative and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands.
Since 1993 McMinnville has been home of Golden Valley Brewery and Pub. Golden Valley Brewery and Pub serves Angus beef raised on their family ranch. Heater Allen Brewing, located outside of McMinnville's historic Granary District, crafts one of the world's top rated Pilsners. McMinnville is home to 6 craft breweries, including 2 gluten-free breweries.
Since the 1990s, the majority of the vineyards of the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area are in the area surrounding McMinnville, giving this city a claim to the title of the capital of Oregon's wine industry. In January 2005, a McMinnville AVA was established after an application from Youngberg Hill Vineyards. The AVA includes 14 wineries and within the Willamette Valley AVA. The city is at the northeastern border of its AVA namesake.
Real estate continues to be an economic factor in the growth of McMinnville and Yamhill county. The median per square foot cost for real estate is now over $200.

Climate

This region experiences warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McMinnville has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from in December to in August. Annual precipitation averages, with normal monthly precipitation peaking in November. The lowest temperature recorded is on January 31, 1950, while the highest is, most recently on July 9-10, 1926.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 32,187 people, 11,674 households, and 7,779 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 12,389 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 82.2% White, 0.7% African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 10.7% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.6% of the population.
There were 11,674 households of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.
The median age in the city was 34 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,499 people living in the city, among 9,367 households and 6,463 families. The population density was 2,675.8 people per square mile. There were 9,834 housing units at an average density of 993.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 86.39% White, 1.39% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.68% Black or African American, and 0.18% Pacific Islander. 14.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 7.26% identify themselves as from other races, and 2.86% from two or more races.
There were 9,367 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,953, and the median income for a family was $44,013. Males had a median income of $33,517 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,085. 12.9% of the population and 8.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

Turkey Rama is a three-day festival held in downtown McMinnville celebrating the ongoing tradition of the turkey barbecue. The barbecue was started in 1938 by turkey farmers in Yamhill County, when the county's main source of wealth was the turkey-farming industry. Today, commercial exhibitions have replaced the "turkey exhibitions", and the turkey-judging competitions and turkey races have been eliminated in favor of more "turkey-friendly" rides, booths, and outdoor entertainment.
The International Pinot Noir Celebration has been held every July since 1987 on the Linfield University campus. The IPNC is a three-day event in which winemakers, northwest chefs, media, epicures and wine lovers gather at Linfield University.
In 2018, the McMinnville Noon Rotary Club partnered with the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation for an annual event promoting McMinnville community projects culminating the MAC Food Truck Festival. The festival is a celebration of local businesses and the best food trucks of Oregon while showcasing the wide array of beer and wine scene of the Willamette Valley. Hagan Hamilton, Lum's Buick GMC Cadillac, Citizens Bank, Hyder Dental, Oregon Oncology, Willamette Valley Medical Center, Online NW, Recology, Morris Carpet Cleaning, and Physicians Medical Center are sponsors.
Established in 1993, the Sip! McMinnville Wine & Food Classic is a three-day event held at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum benefiting the St. James School of McMinnville. It features local winemakers and vintners alongside chefs from the Pacific Northwest, and attendees can taste and purchase wine and food.

Museums and other points of interest

The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville is best known as the home of the Spruce Goose, the world's largest propeller-driven seaplane, built by the famed aviator Howard Hughes. The museum, home to another 80 historic aircraft and exhibits, is a pair of large symmetrical buildings with glass facades, a local landmark which can be seen for miles. Additional major exhibits include a SR-71 "Blackbird", a Titan II SLV Missile, and a Grumman F6F3 "Hellcat." There is also an "IMAX class" digital 3D theater, the Wings & Waves indoor waterpark, and the newly built Boy Scout Jamboree park. The space museum also used to house classrooms for the Engineering and Aerospace Academy of McMinnville High School, before the classes were moved back onto the main MHS campus.
The Yamhill Valley Heritage Center Museum - Located just outside of downtown McMinnville at the intersection of HWY 18 and Durham Lane. One of 2 museums operated by the Yamhill County Historical Society striving to protect, preserve and share the heritage of Yamhill County www.YamhillCountyHistory.org
Featuring a working Blacksmith Shop, Sawmill, Steam Traction Engine, Hutchcroft School House, Logging and Dairy Displays and Educational Programs. The Museum hosts many annual events including Farm Fest in early April and Harvest Fest in mid August.

McMinnville UFO photographs

McMinnville is well known among UFO researchers for photographs originally published on the front page of the June 9, 1950, edition of the city's newspaper, the News-Register, reportedly of an unidentified flying object; the photographs were taken nearly a month earlier, on May 11, 1950 at the farm of Paul and Evelyn Trent. The Oregonian published the photographs the next day, and within a month they were published in LIFE magazine.
Although these images have come to be known as the "McMinnville UFO photographs", the Trent farm was actually located in Sheridan, Oregon, around nine miles southwest of McMinnville. The heated debate which followed between UFO researchers and skeptics made the town's name famous and has spurred an annual "UFO Festival" in McMinnville, the second largest such gathering in the United States to that of Roswell, New Mexico.

Parks and recreation

McMinnville Community Center is headquarters for the McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department, which administers 18 parks throughout the city. The largest city park is the 100-acre sports field complex and community park named after a longtime city manager Joe Dancer. Joe Dancer Park has a dozen baseball and softball fields. The park also features soccer fields, playground equipment, and the Drew Ottley Memorial Skate Park.
Additionally since 1956 the McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department has overseen the Aquatic Center which includes two indoor swimming pools, a hot tub and the Fitness Center. The Aquatic Center is home of the McMinnville High School Grizzly Swim Team and the McMinnville Swim Club. McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department partners with Chemeketa Community College as students may earn college credits through the use of the Aquatic Center.
On the outskirts of McMinnville is the Bayou Golf Course. Bayou Golf Course is a 9 Hole Regulation Par 3 Course with a Driving Range along with Putting & Chipping Practice Area. Bayou Golf Course offers a Junior Golfer program include age 5+ on the Par 3, age 8+ on the Regulation Course. The Bayou Golf course was established in 1964 by Dr. White and Family and is situated along the South Yamhill River. Winter rainfall makes the course ideal for play from Spring until late fall along tree lined fairways, bunkers, and water features.
Michelbook is a private 18-hole par 72 championship golf course. The golf course has a driving range, practice facility, golf shop and a Class A PGA Professional.
City Park is within walking distance from the downtown business district. It opened 1910, when the city sold $3,000 in park bonds to finance construction of a bandstand and a small zoo featuring bears, deer and other local animals. Near the site of Lower City Park, along Cozine Creek, there was a large flour mill, called the Star Mill that closed in 1921 and was damaged by fire in 1927. The City of McMinnville sold $8,500 in bonds to finance the purchase of the property. The tract ran from Star Mill Way to Cozine Creek and West Second Street, to the Mill pond site. The pond site is now occupied by tennis courts. Wortman Park is a large forested park with a small stream running through it. A disc golf course was installed 1991 and is home to the annual Squirrel Open, an Oregon Disc Sports Association's Oregon Series tournament.

Education

McMinnville is served by the McMinnville School District. McMinnville High School is a comprehensive high school with an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. At one point McMinnville was home to two campus locations, McMinnville High School and Media Arts & Communications Academy. MACA campus location closed in 2011. Along with MHS, the school district offers two middle schools and five elementary schools in the city. MSD is also charged with the oversight, administration, and maintenance of Wascher Elementary in neighboring town of Lafayette, Oregon.
The McMinnville school district is nearing a student population of nearly 7,000 children. It serves an area of 140 square miles and over 40,000 residents. The McMinnville School District's superintendent is Maryalice Russel. The state of Oregon abolished the office of state Superintendent in 2011 thereby ending a 138-year oversight of schools in the state.
In 1858, Linfield University was founded as Baptist College of McMinnville. Later renamed McMinnville College and then Linfield College, in 2020 the Board of Trustees renamed the school Linfield University. Linfield is an independent, comprehensive institution of higher education for undergraduate and graduate studies in 56 unique majors. Linfield University is located on the edge of town on nearly 200 acres with over 60 facilities. The University has nearly 2,000 students from 24 states. The Linfield University athletic program is part of the Northwest Conference, NCAA Division III rostering varsity sports, along with intercollegiate sports and activities.
The McMinnville campus of Chemeketa Community College is an institution of higher education accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities located in McMinnville. Chemeketa Community College has served McMinnville since 1974 and expanded to a new campus in 2011. The main campus of Chemeketa Community College is in Salem, Oregon. Chemeketa Community College offers the following degrees; Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, Associate of Science/Oregon Transfer Business, Associate of Science/Oregon Transfer Computer Science, Associate of General Studies, along with Oregon Transfer Module and Dual Enrollment programs. The Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Valley Campus offers a number of career & technical education programs including Basic Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, Hemodialysis, Hospitality & Tourism Management, and Speech Language Pathology.
Private schools in McMinnville include the McMinnville Montessori School, McMinnville Christian Academy and St. James Catholic Elementary School.

Media

Transportation

McMinnville is on Oregon Route 99W approximately south of downtown Portland and approximately north of Corvallis. Oregon Route 18 forms a bypass around the city along its southern border and connects McMinnville with the Oregon Coast just north of Lincoln City approximately west. Oregon Highway 18 is also known as Three Mile Lane from its McMinnville city center interchange east to the McMinnville Municipal Airport. The southern end of Oregon Route 47 is just northeast of city limits and connects McMinnville with Washington County.
Major thoroughfares in McMinnville are Highway 99W and Adams and Baker Streets which form a north–south couplet through the center of the town; Lafayette Avenue, East Third Street, and West Second Street. Baker Creek Road, Evans Street, Riverside Drive, South Davis Street, Fellows Street, Cypress Street and Booth Bend Road are also important collector streets connecting industrial or residential areas with the downtown core or the primary arterial streets.
McMinnville Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of McMinnville. McMinnville Airport is home to Evergreen International Aviation and a fixed-base operator. While it primarily is used by private pilots and the occasional private jet, it can handle larger aircraft. For example, Evergreen Airlines flew in an empty 747-100 cargo aircraft into the airport so it could be used as part of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum's water park feature.
The Portland & Western Railroad serves McMinnville on its Westside Branch. Major railroad shippers include Cascade Steel Rolling Mills, Land O'Lakes Purina LLC, RB Rubber Products and McMinnville Gas. P&W maintains a depot in downtown McMinnville, itself a remnant from the Red Electric interurban passenger service which served McMinnville from 1914–1929. McMinnville is a hub for P&W, with trains operating between McMinnville and Newberg, Willamina, Dallas and Albany.
Historically, McMinnville had a landing for riverboats traveling up the Yamhill River. The Yamhill Lock near Lafayette helped facilitate river navigation up to McMinnville. However, the use of the Yamhill River for commercial purposes was short-lived; the city's only recreational boat dock has been unusable for years. River levels are unpredictable and difficult for boaters.
Public Transit is provided by the Yamhill County Transit Area. Three city routes provide Monday–Friday service starting at 6:30 AM and continuing through 7:50 PM. A Saturday "Loop" runs from 10:00 AM through 6:00 PM. YCTA also provides intercity service to all communities in Yamhill County on four different routes; hourly weekday and infrequent Saturday service to Newberg and Tigard, and weekday commuter trips to Hillsboro and Salem.
Intercity bus service is also provided by Caravan Airport Transportation and Valley Retriever between Portland and Newport, each with one daily trip in each direction stopping in McMinnville. Greyhound Bus formerly served McMinnville until 2004 with a stop on its Portland–San Francisco route, ending nearly 80 years of service on the route dating back to the Southern Pacific Railroad's rail and bus passenger service.

Water and electricity

Since 1888, the city has been served by McMinnville Water and Light, a municipal utility.

Health care

, along the outskirts of McMinnville, is an 88-bed acute-care, full-service facility, accredited by The Joint Commission.

Notable people