Long before the first white settlers began arriving, this area was populated by the Molalla Indian tribe. The community grew around the crossing point of two Indian trails. Descendents of the Molalla tribe now live on the Grande Ronde Reservation in western Oregon. The last known full-blooded Molalla Indian died in 1913.
Seeking fertile soils, ample water and rich grasses, the pioneers were attracted to the Willamette Valley. William Russell filed the first land claim in the area in 1840. In 1850 a post office was opened and the community started to grow. By 1856, the first schools were operating and the town had become a thriving agricultural and trade center. The year 1857 brought the first general store.
The year 1913 was a year of “firsts” for Molalla. It welcomed the first steam train, the first Molalla Buckeroo, the first bank, the first locally published weekly newspaper and the incorporation of the city.
Over the years, timber and lumber became one of the community’s biggest commodities. As a result, several sawmills came into being. Timber remained the mainstay of the community’s economy until the 1980’s. Two large mills still operate today, as do several small family owned mills.
One can still get a glimpse of pioneer life by visiting the Dibble and Von der Ahe houses on S. Molalla Avenue. The Dibble House was built in 1859 and was restored by the Molalla Area Historical Society in 1972. The Von der Ahe House was moved from the Carus area near Oregon City to its present site. It served as a stagecoach stop along the Portland to Salem route in the 1800’s.
Molalla’s rich past is still reflected today in our commitment to our rural lifestyle and quality of life.
For more information on the history of the area, go to the Molalla Public Library or visit the Dibble/Von Der Ahe Complex.
Molalla River Corridor
Located nine miles southeast of Molalla, the Molalla River Corridor is a beautiful scenic drive along the Molalla River. The corridor provides easy access to the river as well as other recreational activities. It is open year-round, however during the winter, it is recommended that you check with the Bureau of Land Management about conditions before hiking on some of the trails.
The forests surrounding the Molalla River abound with alder, cedar, dogwood, douglas fir, hemlock, madron, maple and vine maple. Ferns thrive in the moist canyons and wildflowers of every kind grow along the roadside. Deer, elk, beaver, squirrel, raccoon, fox, coyote, cougars and bear all call the area home as do the newt, common garter snake, wood ducks, grouse, woodpeckers, great blue heron, the Pacific tree frog and the Pacific giant salamander. If you watch carefully, you might even see a golden eagle.
Originally private land, an exchange of land between the owner and the Bureau of Land Management in 1992, opened the area to public use. The Salem District, Bureau of Land Management manages the twelve mile corridor.
Recreational Activities
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Bicycling
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Camping
- Hunting
Guides
- Flying C Guide Service (503) 829-2898
Licenses
Licenses and tags are required. Hunting is only allowed during legal hunting seasons. Fishing licenses are also required. Please note that all native steelhead must be released.
Molalla River Watch
Created in 1988, Molalla River Watch is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the flora, fauna and water quality of the Molalla River.
By providing educational opportunities for school-aged children through field trips and forums for adults, Molalla River Watch teaches respect, understanding and conservation so that the Molalla River watershed may be enjoyed today and in the future.
Contact information for this organization:
Molalla River Watch, Inc.
PO Box 867
Molalla, OR 97038
E-mail: riverwatch@molalla.net
www.molallariverwatch.org
Golf Courses and Driving Ranges
Arrowhead Golf Club - Private
28301 S. Hwy 213
(503) 829-8080
Ranch Hills Golf Club
26710 S. Ranch Hills Rd.
Mulino, OR 97042
(503) 829-5666
Stone Creek Golf Course
Off Hwy 213 & Leland Rd
14603 S. Stoneridge Drive
Oregon, City, OR 97045
(503) 518-4653
Church |
Pastor |
Address/Telephone |
Service
Times |
Baha’i
Faith |
|
503
829-4863 |
|
Canyon
Creek Christian Fellowship |
Tim
Behrens |
21302
S. Hwy 211
Colton
503-824-2111 |
SS:
9:30 a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Church
of Christ |
Minister
Jim Petty |
136
Fenton
Molalla
503-829-8520 |
SS:
10:00
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
|
13250
S. Hwy 211
Molalla |
Molalla
503-829-6111
Colton
503-829-2431 |
Clarkes
United Methodist Church |
Rev. Tom
Turby |
18773
S. Windy City
Mulino
503-632-7778 |
SS: 9:30
a.m.
Worship:
9:00 a.m. |
Colton
Community Church |
Steve
Buche |
21128
S. Hwy 211
Colton
503-824-3744 |
SS: 9:30
a.m.
Worship:
10:30 a.m. |
Colton
Lutheran Church |
Jana
Adams |
20808
S. Hwy 211
Colton
503-824-3425 |
SS: 9:45
a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Conservative
Christian Fellowship |
Ken
Wakefield |
127
S. Grange
Molalla
503-632-5953 |
SS: 9:45
a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Cornerstone
Christian Fellowship |
Ken
Cooper |
300
E. Main Street
Molalla
503-829-6125 |
Worship:
10:00 a.m. |
Crossroad
Christian
Center |
Semi
Saulo |
109
W. Main Street
Molalla
503-759-3633 |
Worship:
10:30 a.m. |
The
Country Church |
Gary
Lee Syphard |
16975
S Hwy 211
Molalla
503-829-5575 |
Worship:
10:00 a.m. |
The
Evangelical Church |
Roger
Boyle |
29079
S. Hwy 213
Molalla
503-829-8591 |
SS: 9:45
a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Far
Horizons Fellowship |
Rev.
Jack Matthews |
118
Engle Avenue
Molalla
503-624-7430 |
Worship:
10:00 a.m. |
Foothills
Community Church |
Dale
Satrum |
122
Grange Avenue
Molalla
503-829-5101 |
Worship:
10:00 a.m. |
Grace
Church |
John
Baker |
901 N. Molalla
Ave
Molalla
503-829-5568 |
SS: 9:30
a.m.
Worship:
10:45 a.m. |
Grace
Lutheran Church |
Grant
Francis |
6th
& May
Molalla
503-829-2250 |
Sept.-May:
10:30 a.m.
June-Aug:
9:00 a.m. |
Jehovah
Witness |
|
704
Patrol
Molalla
503 829-4191 |
|
Living
Water Worship Center |
Ray
Zeida |
Mulino
Grange
Mulino
503-829-6992 |
Worship:
Sat, 6:30 p.m. |
Marquam
United
Methodist
Church |
Rand
Sargent |
36971
S. Hwy 213
Marquam
503-829-5061 |
Worship:
9:30 a.m. |
Meadowbrook
Community
Church |
Gary
Turner |
Union
Mills & Windy City Rd
Mulino
503-632-6772 |
Worship:
9:29 a.m. |
Molalla
Assembly of God |
Mike
Cole |
217
S. Molalla Ave.
Molalla
503-829-2082 |
SS: 9:00
a.m.
Worship:
10:15 a.m. |
Molalla
Christian Church |
Bob
Laver |
3rd
& Berkley
Molalla
503-829-2901 |
SS: 9:00
a.m.
Worship:9:00,
10:30 a.m. |
Molalla
Church of the
Nazarene |
|
920
Shirley
Molalla
503-829-9339 |
SS: 9:30
a.m.
Worship:
10:30 a.m. |
Molalla
Seventh-day
Adventist
Church |
Richard
Morris |
825
N. Molalla Avenue
Molalla
503 829-9977 |
Bible
Study: 9:30 a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Molalla
First Pentecostal Church |
Alfred
Starr
|
3rd
& Berkley
Molalla
503-759-3809 |
Worship:
2:00 p.m. |
Molalla
United Methodist Church |
Pam
Gurley |
111
Mathias Rd (at “Y”)
Molalla
503 829-8076 |
Nurture
Hr: 10:00 a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
Mulino
Grace
Baptist
Church |
Kent
Piil |
26900
S. Hwy 213
Mulino
503 829-6154 |
SS: 9:45
a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
New
Beginnings
Foursquare
Church |
Jeff & Lynn
Jones |
32329
S. Molalla Ave.
Molalla
503 829-7792 |
Worship:
9:30 a.m. |
St.
James Catholic Church |
Father
Ed Coleman |
301
Frances Street
Molalla
503 829-2080 |
Saturday
5:30 p.m.
Mass:
8:00, 10:30 & 12 |
Smyrna
United Church of Christ |
James
Buffington |
31119
S. Hwy 170
Canby
503-651-2080 |
SS: 10:00
a.m.
Worship:
11:00 a.m. |
South
Clackamas
Community
Church |
Terry
Blair |
8950
S. Schneider Rd
Yoder
503-651-3707 |
Worship:
9:30 a.m. |
Timber
Valley Bible Church |
Paul
Hunter |
Colton
Middle School
Colton
503 824-6499 |
|
