The Monteiths
In 1847 Walter and Thomas Monteith arrived on the future site of Albany
and purchased the Smead claim for $400, as well as an adjacent claim.
Town lots were laid out on a portion of claims on the east bank of the
Willamette River, just below the mouth of the Calapooia River and a new
town had been founded. The city was named Albany, after the Monteith's
home state capitol, Albany, New
York.
In 1849, the Monteiths built Albany's first frame house, which still
stands at 518 Second Avenue S.W. as a house-museum open to the public.
In 1850 Abram Hackleman, son of Abner Hackleman, laid out 70 acres on the east side of Albany for future development.