Trust the pooch to hide the hooch? During prohibition, town blacksmith Henry Mutchler got in trouble with the law when state police confiscated 40 quarts of Canadian whiskey from the second floor of the doghouse for his beloved -- and obviously spoiled -- prize hunting dog.
There are all sorts of interesting historic tales to be heard about Stayton, Oregon
Trust the pooch to hide the hooch? During prohibition, town blacksmith Henry Mutchler got in trouble with the law when state police confiscated 40 quarts of Canadian whiskey from the second floor of the doghouse for his beloved -- and obviously spoiled -- prize hunting dog.
There are all sorts of interesting historic tales to be heard about Stayton, Oregon. Started by pioneer settler Drury Stayton back in 1866, the community of just under 8,000 residents has grown to be part extended suburb and part logging and farming town. It's a town that has done better than most at preserving that history and it's still visible today. Just a few minutes out of the state capital of Salem on Highway 22, it's an easy commute for anyone working in Oregon's second largest city. That's a fact that has driven new construction in Stayton, especially on the north side of town near the access to the 22, which is a freeway between here and Salem and narrows down to a two-lane road heading into the Cascade Mountains to the east.
The growing number of people moving here that are commuting to Salem has helped the town move beyond being its own rural entity and into a role as an extension of the metro area. As such, the number of available rental properties isn't that high. It stands to reason that with fewer apartment homes available, you are going to have to be more on the ball when it comes to searching for your new home. Don't be dismayed, success is only a matter of the right preparation. Put together a list of your favorite places and then move through it one at a time, eliminating potentials that don't fit your needs or that are out of your price range. It doesn't hurt to check your credit report and fix any errors to make it as good as possible. Have enough cash on hand to fork over first and last month's rent, and a deposit.
The Santiam River is the defining boundary to the south, while Highway 22 roughly marks the north. Its southwestern corner is dominated by a commercial and light industrial area that does provide some local jobs.
Historic Downtown: Considered to be 2nd and 3rd Avenues between Water Street on the south and Washington Street on the north, it's a well-preserved zone with quaint shops and small eateries. Just beyond the historic area are small complexes where you can find yourself a rental apt.
North Stayton: While the historic downtown area is in the southern part of town down close to the river, the community above Washington Street is primarily residential with a nice mix of housing that has single family homes and is also a good place to search for rental apartments in Stayton. You'll have Cuppa Joe in this neighborhood to satisfy your caffeine needs.
Gardner/Shaff: The northwest part of town where North Gardner Avenue meets Shaff Road begins just past the high school and moves westward until the homes give way to open farmland. Several of the properties here were built as two units and might offer duplexes for rent. Muchas Gracias and Figaro's Pizza is in this area.
The Santiam River is a beautiful waterway and picturesque Detroit Lake, a favorite for Oregonians from throughout the region, is less than a half an hour away.
To keep you busy, Stayton has plenty of events lined up for the community. Thumpin' Thursday is a free dance held at the Stayton Public Library. Every year, the Santiam Heritage Foundation has their annual garden tour, which is in its 15th year. For those who like to be active, Stayton offers a free workout in the park on Saturday with a certified trainer. You can also head over to the Star Cinema, which used to be a vaudeville theatre, to catch a movie or two with some friends.
