Bethel, Polk County, Oregon facts for kids
Bethel is a small, unincorporated community in Polk County, Oregon, United States. It sits in Plum Valley, at the base of the Eola Hills. Today, Bethel is mostly a ghost town, meaning there isn't much left of the original settlement. The only old building still standing is a school that is now used as a church.
The name "Bethel" was chosen by Reverend Glen O. Burnett. He named it after a church in Missouri where he used to be a pastor. "Bethel" is a Hebrew word that means "house of God," which is why it's a common name for churches. Reverend Burnett and his family traveled to Oregon on the famous Oregon Trail. In 1846, he settled here on a piece of land he claimed. He also traveled around, preaching in nearby towns like Rickreall.
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History of Bethel
Early Schools and Colleges
In 1851, another settler named Dr. Nathaniel Hudson arrived in the area. He started a school called Bethel Academy in 1852. However, Dr. Hudson moved away in 1854, and the academy closed.
A new school, Bethel Institute, was started in 1855. In 1856, the Oregon Territorial Legislature officially recognized it as one of Oregon's first colleges. It was later renamed Bethel College. A pioneer named Jesse Applegate, who was a friend of Reverend Burnett, was on the college's board.
Bethel College faced money problems. In 1861, it joined with another college called Monmouth College. After more changes and mergers, Monmouth College became what is known today as Western Oregon University. The original college building in Bethel was eventually taken apart.
Growth and Decline of the Town
The first store in Bethel was built in 1855. A post office opened in 1865. At one point, the town had shops for a blacksmith, carpentry, and wagons. The Bethel post office operated from 1865 to 1880.
Bethel was located on a main wagon road between Amity and Monmouth. However, a new railway line was built that went through Amity, Dallas, and Independence, bypassing Bethel. This decision helped lead to Bethel's decline.
In October 2013, the old school auditorium, which had recently been renovated for the Eola Hills Charter School, burned down. The church building next to it was not damaged.
Farming and Vineyards
Today, the area around Bethel is part of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is a special region known for its many wineries and vineyards. One famous vineyard, Bethel Heights Vineyard, was named after this historic area.
Notable People
- Ernest Robert Sears (1910–1991), a plant geneticist, was born in Bethel.
Images for kids
The Plum Valley area around Bethel.
