06/11/2026
For 150 years, McMinnville has been shaped by the places where community comes together. From City Hall, where local decisions help guide our future, to our historic Carnegie Library, where generations have gathered to learn and connect, to City Park where we'll celebrate our 150th milestone together—these landmarks tell the story of our city's past, present, and future!
McMinnville City Hall, Est. 1930, was once the home to local businessman, L.A. Courtemanche, who operated multiple businesses downtown. In 1958, the home was sold to the First Baptist Church of McMinnville for use as a parsonage and homed the church's senior pastor until it was sold to the City of McMinnville in 1965.
McMinnville Public Library, Built 1913. In 1910, members of the Ladies Civic Improvement Club operated McMinnville's public library on the second floor of the Wright building at 3rd and Davis. These women kept books circulating for the growing community despite tight quarters and limited funds. The following year, the City Council passed an ordinance that created a library board and provided tax support for a permanent building. In 1912, the board chose the SE corner of City park as the site and secured a $10k grant from Andrew Carnegie.
McMinnville City Park, Est. 1908. In 1906 visionary residents raised $2,400 to create McMinnville's first public park. Early plans called for a grandstand, playground, and lake with sprinkling system, pavilion and tennis courts. Completed on the park's east side in 1908, the pavilion served as an armory and early community center. The park itself had pond - a popular swimming hole with a slide - and even had a small zoo which housed bears, deer, and other animals!
Want to learn more? Read their complete history (and amazing stories) on the City's website! https://www.mcminnvilleoregon.gov/cd/page/uncover-mcminnville-historic-preservation
