Macleay, Oregon facts for kids

Macleay is a small community in Marion County, Oregon, United States. It is not a city with its own local government. You can find Macleay about nine miles east of Salem, Oregon's capital city. It is located in the Waldo Hills near the Little Pudding River.

The History of Macleay

How Macleay Got Its Name

Macleay was first known as "Stipp." This name came from an early settler named John L. Stipp. His land claim was just west of where Macleay is today. John Stipp even donated land for what is now the Stipp Memorial Cemetery.

A post office was set up in Stipp in 1880. But the name changed to "Macleay" just two years later, in 1882. This new name honored Donald Macleay. He was a well-known businessman from Portland.

The Railroad and a New School

Donald Macleay was an important investor in the Oregonian Railway Company. This company built a special kind of train track called a narrow-gauge railway through the area. Along with another Scottish businessman, William Reid, Macleay helped make this railway happen.

Donald Macleay also gave money to build a schoolhouse in the Stipp area. This school was built close to the new train station. Because of his help with the school, the post office was renamed in his honor. The community of Macleay was officially mapped out in 1884. The Macleay post office served the community until 1939.

Railroad Changes Over Time

The railroad line that ran through Macleay changed hands over the years. It was once owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Today, the railroad line is owned by Union Pacific.

Macleay Today

Macleay is still an active community. The Macleay Country Store has been open for a very long time, since 1916! The community also has a busy Grange hall. A Grange is a local organization for farmers and their families.

You can also find a fire station in Macleay. The building that used to be the school now serves as a church for the community.

Images for kids

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  Country Store in Macleay