Praying for Oregon Counties: Linn

South Santiam River, Linn County

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

 While I enjoy history for its own sake, there are several reasons for looking into the past when praying for an area. The attitudes and spiritual atmosphere of a place is built on the foundation of those who came before. One does not have to get super-spiritual to see that old feuds can taint relationships for generations. We sometimes need to repent for the sins of our fathers, including injustice and violence that occurred in the past.  Also, we have spoken of “redigging old wells,” or praying for the revival of good foundations laid down by those who came before us.  We explore each county to focus on current-day needs and issues for prayer, of course, but also to search out old strongholds buried in the history of a place. 

 

This week we are looking at Linn County.

 

Linn County is in the mid-Willamette Valley. Interestingly, one town in Linn County, Lyons, is the “mean center of population” for the state of Oregon, (this refers to the distribution of population over an area – see more here.)

 

Linn County was established in 1847 from a portion of Champoeg (later Marion) County. At first the county seat was at what is now Brownsville, but was soon moved to Albany. Albany was first established in 1848 and is now one of the larger cities in Oregon, currently ranked eleventh in the state with a population around 55,000. It sits at the confluence of the Willamette and the Calapooia Rivers. Originally two settlements were established in the mid-1840’s. The Hackleman family came from Iowa and established a settlement called Takenah, while around the same time brothers from New York, Walter and Thomas Monteith, established Albany. The Hackleman’s were working-class farm folk and Democrats, while the Monteith’s were merchants and Republicans. They did not see eye-to-eye, and at one point built a hedge between the two settlements. By the mid-1850’s the provisional legislature had combined the two communities under the name Albany.  

Linn County courthouse, Albany

Recently I was made aware of an interesting bit of history about the town of Lyons, mentioned above. One of the town founders, James C. Lyons, was murdered in his home by someone shooting through the window. This happened in 1899. The murder was never solved, but reading through old newspaper accounts reveals he may have antagonized a local lawless element (i.e. a gang) that was said to lurk in the area or in the mountainous country up the Santiam canyon.

 

Wood products, agriculture, mining and some manufacturing (mobile and motor homes) are the basis for much of Linn County’s economy. Interestingly, Linn County is home to the only emery mine in the United States. Agriculture thrives due to the climate and rich soil, which allows for a variety of specialty crops.

 

The wood products industry has had some losses with the production dropping since the reduction in logging on federal lands in the 90’s. Also, forest fires take a toll. In 2020 there were several wildfires in Linn County, the worst being the Santiam fire that not only took 402,000 acres of public and private forestland (in Marion, Jefferson and Clackamas as well), but destroyed or partially damaged several towns: Gates, Idanha, Mill City and Lyons. (Detroit, which also burned, is in Marion County).

 

Linn County has three elected county commissioners: Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger, and Will Tucker.

 

How do we pray for Linn County?

 

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt,”Jeremiah 31: 3-4

 

Pray for the ongoing recovery process in the aftermath of the 2020 fires. 

 

Pray over areas where there was strife, injustice or violence in the land. 

 

Pray for wisdom for the leaders, and for grace for the city of Albany.