Zena, Oregon facts for kids
Zena, Oregon is a place in Polk County, Oregon, United States. It's about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Salem. Zena is now considered a ghost town, which means most people have moved away, and it's no longer a busy community.
The area was first settled in 1858. It was originally known as "Spring Valley." Later, two brothers, Daniel Jackson Cooper and Jacob Calvin Cooper, moved there from Missouri. In 1866, they opened a store and set up a post office. They decided to rename the community "Zena." This new name honored their wives, who were also sisters: Arvazena Spilman Cooper and Melzena Spilman Cooper.
Today, Zena is known for the old Spring Valley Presbyterian Church. A book called The Road to Zena by Joel Redon was published in 1992. This novel takes place in Zena and a nearby town called Lincoln.
The Cooper Family and Zena's Beginnings
The Cooper family played a big part in Zena's early history. Arvazena Cooper, one of the women Zena was named after, was born in 1846. She grew up in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and spent many years in Missouri.
In May 1861, Arvazena married Daniel Jackson Cooper. A couple of years later, their family decided to move west. They traveled all the way to Oregon and settled in the beautiful Willamette Valley. Arvazena and Daniel had a large family with 15 children. These children were born in different places, including Missouri, during their journey, and after they arrived in Oregon. Arvazena Cooper passed away in 1929. She is buried in The Dalles, Oregon.
How Zena Got Its Name
The Cooper brothers, Daniel and Jacob, were important in naming the town. They wanted to honor their wives, Arvazena and Melzena. By taking parts of their names, they created "Zena." This shows how family connections were very important to the early settlers.
Life in Early Zena
Life in Zena was different from today. Early settlers like the Coopers had to build everything themselves. They set up stores and post offices to help the community grow. Arvazena Cooper once shared a story about her family's arrival. She said her "Grandpa" found a place to stay in Polk County. He later bought land near a church where he preached for several years. This land became the community known as Zena.
