History :

In  1851, the first settlers arrived in the Sweet Home Valley and shared the land with the friendly Santiam band of the Kalapuyan Indians until 1921, when the last remaining member of the tribe died.

Built along the edge of the South Santiam River on the site of a prehistoric petrified forest, Sweet Home is known for its treasures of agate, jasper, crystal and minerals. The town took its name from the valley.

Sweet Home became an incorporated city of Linn County in  1893. Until 1878, the town was only four square blocks in size. But, because of the demand for lumber created by the defense program of the 1940s, Sweet Home grew into a boom-town. The town experienced additional growth in 1962 and 1966 with the building of the Green Peter and Foster Dams. Sweet Home became a gateway to the many recreational opportunities of the valley and its waterways.

Though impacted by the closure of sawmills and logging operations in the 1980s, Sweet Home residents revitalized their community and encouraged small businesses with the assistance of Federal grants.

Sweet Home today offers a small town, rural lifestyle though it is conveniently close to the amenities of large metropolitan cities including educational, shopping and cultural facilities. Only two hours from the popular Oregon coast and close to the many recreational opportunities of Mt. Bachelor, Sweet Home has the best of both worlds.