Preserving the Past

The citizens of Brownsville take great pride in keeping the memories of the past alive. On this page is listed only a few of the many historic sites a person can take in when they visit this small town community. This page can not even start to do the town the justice it deserves in preserving history. I recommend that if you are interested in the past history of Oregon that this is one town that should not be overlooked.

Brownsville Railway & Depot

December 2, 1880 the Narrow Guage line owned by the Oregonian Railway Company came to Brownsville.
Several years later the railway line was upgraded to a standard guage and by this time the Southern Pacific Railroad Company had taken over from the Oregonian Railway Co.
Around 1890 the depot was constructed and was used up till the 1950's when the passanger service was discontinued.
In 1979 The depot was acquired by Linn County and with the contribution by Southern Pacific Railroad of some boxcars, the Linn County Historical Museum had a home.

Walnut and Filbert Trees

Located on Fisher street is a grove of Walnut and Filbert trees. What makes this grove significant is that many of the Walnut trees in this grove are descendents of the original English Walnut trees that Riley Kirk brought with him to Oregon. These Walnuts were unusually low in acid and had thinner shells than most walnuts. In this grove you will find the native Oregon filbert trees growing under the taller walnut trees.

Moyer House

John Moyer a carpenter by trade came west in 1852 with a friend and settled in Brownsville where they built many of the home for the citizens of the town. He built a home for Hugh L. Brown the man the town was named after. John Moyer later married Mr. Brown's daughter Elizabeth. Moyer had interests in a sash and door factory, Brownsviller Woolen Mills and the Bank of Brownsville. He served as the first mayor of Brownsville. Because of his status in the community they entertained a lot so he designed and built the Moyer House in 1881. It is said that he did much of the work himself. This 115 year old Italianate style house has had several owners over the years. At one time in the 1930's and 40's it was an apartment house. In 1963 the Linn County Historical Society acquired the house and after restoration it is now designated as a museum. The house is open to tour on Monday-Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 1- 5. Group tours can also be arranged.

Dr. Kelley's Office

Dr. Kelly seen the need for a hospital in 1903 so he enlarged his office which was adjacent to his home. He expanded the building into a two storys. He allowed room for live-in patients on the first floor and nurses' quarters above.

Brownsville Baptist Church

This church was built in 1906. The plans for the building came from a mail order book of church plans. With the congregation doing most of the work and using the frame from their older church the church was erected, furnished with seats, furnaces, and carpets for a total cost of $4,000. This building is another one of the many excellent kept structures in Brownsville that are on the National Register.

Brownsville General Store

This is the oldest wooden commercial building. It was built by C.T. Williams around 1874 at which time it was the local drugstore until 1920. Today the building houses a Coffee Shop, Antique, Collectable & Hand Craft Shop.

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