Minerva, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Minerva, Oregon
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A ranch in Minerva
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 Minerva, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Minerva, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Lane |
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
97439
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| Area code(s) | 458 and 541 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1146323 |
Minerva is a small, unincorporated community located in Lane County, Oregon, United States. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Minerva is found about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Florence. It sits near the North Fork Siuslaw River within the beautiful Siuslaw National Forest.
Contents
Discovering Minerva's Past
Minerva has a rich history, even though many of its original buildings are no longer there. It was once a lively spot for the people living in the area. Learning about its past helps us understand how communities grew in Oregon.
How Minerva Got Its Name
In the 1890s, the people living in this area wanted to open a local post office. They sent a request to the United States Post Office Department. Their first idea for a name was "Bays Landing," to honor a local person named James E. Bay.
However, the post office department suggested a shorter, one-word name would be easier. So, they decided to name the new post office "Minerva" after Mr. Bay's wife. L. C. Ackerley was the person who wrote the request. The very first post office was set up right in the Ackerley family home. It served the community until it closed around 1940.
What Minerva Was Like
Long ago, Minerva was a busy little community. It had several important places that served the people living there. These places helped the community grow and connect.
- General Store: There was a store where people could buy supplies. It even had a gas pump for vehicles.
- Church: A United Evangelical Church was part of the community, offering a place for worship.
- Grange Hall: Minerva also had a grange hall. Grange halls were important meeting places for farmers and their families. They often hosted social events and helped farmers work together.
- Public School: A school was a central part of Minerva. It taught students from first through eighth grade.
Today, none of these original buildings remain at the site.
Minerva's School Days
The school in Minerva was very important for the children living in the area. It provided education for younger students. After finishing eighth grade, older students had to travel to Florence to attend boarding school. This meant they lived away from home to continue their education.
Eventually, a new road was built that connected Minerva directly to Florence. This made it much easier for students to travel. Once the road was finished, students of all ages could attend school in Florence. Because of this, the Minerva school eventually closed its doors.
