History

Amity, Oregon: Where Friendship and Heritage Meet

Long before Amity was established, the region was home to the Yamhill people, a band of the Kalapuya tribe. These Indigenous communities thrived in the fertile Willamette Valley for thousands of years, practicing sustainable land management techniques such as controlled burns to promote the growth of essential plants like camas. Their deep connection to the land fostered a rich cultural and spiritual life that shaped the valley's ecosystems.

In the mid-19th century, the arrival of European-American settlers brought significant changes. Treaties, including the 1855 Treaty with the Kalapuya, led to the displacement of many Indigenous people to the Grand Ronde Reservation. Despite these upheavals, the legacy of the Kalapuya endures through the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, who continue to preserve and share their history and traditions.

Amidst this backdrop, the town of Amity emerged in 1849 from a dispute among settlers over the location of a new schoolhouse. Two large families each wanted the school built near their respective farms, located about three miles southeast and west of present-day Amity. The disagreement escalated to the point where both parties began constructing separate schoolhouses.

Ahio S. Watt, a respected community member preparing to leave for the California gold fields, was approached by both factions to serve as the teacher. He agreed on the condition that they resolve their differences and unite to build a single school. The settlers compromised, pooling their resources to construct one schoolhouse on John Watt's land at the north end of town. In honor of this reconciliation, Ahio named the school "Amity," symbolizing friendship and harmony. 

The establishment of the school laid the foundation for the community. A post office was established nearby in 1852, and by 1859, Jerome B. Walling had laid out the townsite flanking Trade Street, the principal thoroughfare. The arrival of the Oregon Central Railroad in 1879 connected local wheat growers to broader markets, transforming Amity into a grain warehousing and shipping point. 

Throughout the 20th century, Amity's economy diversified to include prunes, hazelnuts, and hops. The 1970s marked the beginning of its transformation into a wine-producing region, with the establishment of Amity Vineyards in 1971. The Eola-Amity Hills American Viticultural Area was designated in 2006, and today, the region boasts numerous wineries that attract visitors from around the world.

Amity continues to celebrate its rich heritage, from the Brigittine monks' handcrafted confections to the annual Daffodil Festival. The town's history is a testament to the enduring values of community, cooperation, and respect for the land and its original inhabitants.