History

The City of Adair Village was established in 1976 on a former military base.  The City got its start in 1942 when it and the public infrastructure were constructed to serve the WWII Camp Adair and its approximately 45,000 persons stationed here during the height of the war.  The Army abandoned the base after WWII and many of the structures were demolished or relocated.  However, there remain a few remaining structures from the arm days, which include the original smoke stack and a few remaining barracks that house persons from the hospital, and the AV Market and Pub which was the original Fire Station. 
 
 

Current

The City is a fully incorporated City and operates with a five member elected City Council comprised of the Mayor and four council members.  This body oversees the policies decisions of all municipal operations that include water, wastewater, streets, and parks and provides direction to the City Administrator who oversees the daily operations.  The City of Adair Village operates water and wastewater systems that were designed to serve the former Camp Adair with over 40,000 personnel.  Both are systems are fully compliant with current state and federal standards.  In addition the City operates and maintains one neighborhood park centered in the original neighborhoods. 
 
The City Administrator, Assistant City Recorder, and part-time Ordinance Officer staff the City offices.  Public works functions for water, sewer, street and park operations and maintenance area carried out by Operations Management Inc., who the City contracted to in 2005.  Fire and Ambulance services are provided locally by the Adair Fire and Rescue District, which an all volunteer department with mutual aid agreements with the surrounding cities.  Police services are provide by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, though the City does have a contract with that agency for local code enforcement. 
 
The City is centrally located in the mid-Willamette Valley, about eight miles north of Corvallis, eight miles northwest of Albany and 10 miles south of the cities of Independence and Monmouth.  These communities are home, respectively, to Oregon State University, Linn Benton Community College, and Western Oregon State College.  Given its proximity to these surrounding cities, the Adair Village is largely a bedroom community. 
 
Originally home to approximately 536 residents, the City saw little change over the first 25 years after its incorporation.  However, the City saw substantial growth from 2001 to 2004 and now has a current population of 930. As of 2008 the City is preparing for significant more growth that would add approximately another 1900 persons to the community over the next 20-years in the area immediately south of the City.  This development will allow the City to shed its bedroom community role and begin to provide for expanded amenities associated with other surrounding communities.

In 1957 Camp Adair became Camp Adair Air Force Station and Sage Support Facility when much of the current town was constructed.  This includes most of the homes and support facilities that are found in the center of town and dominated by the “Block Building”.  In 1969 the Air Force Station was declared surplus property and parceled out and deeded to new owners, who provided the basis for the City’s incorporation in 1976.

 
The town is home to Santiam Christian School, a private school providing education for grades K through 12.  The city is also home to the Northwest Labor’s School, which provides training in a variety of construction skills and also provides a great deal of service to the City.  The AV Market and Tavern meets local needs for basic groceries, snacks and a sit down café, along with cold beverages.  Also located next to town is the Regional Headquarters of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department.  The City has seen its first commercial development with the location of Jamocha Jo’s coffee shop between the Community Center and AV Market. 
 
The City is surrounded by a wealth of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. West of town, across Oregon Highway 99W, hikers, bikers and horseback riders can find miles of trails in the McDonald State Forest.  The northern boundary of the City is the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, which provides plenty of opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife observation.  Immediately east is Adair County Park, which encompasses approximately 123 acres and includes two, ball fields, a 18 hole Frisbee golf course, tennis courts, restrooms and covered shelter.  Adjacent to the park model airplane enthusiasts can enjoy the aerodrome set up with runways, covered shelters, air socks and other facilities for radio controlled airplanes.  The southern border of the City is home to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Office.  This facility provides personal service for those who enjoy hunting and fishing, and serves as an excellent resource for a variety of outdoor activities.  Its approximate 40 acres include a small lake where locals fish and swim.