About Molalla
I want to learn about:
City History
City Mission
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Population
City History
Long before the first settlers began arriving, the area was populated by the Molalla Indian Tribe. As settlers arrived, the community grew around the crossing of two Indian trails. Descendants of the Molalla tribe are now part of the Grande Ronde Confederated Tribes in western Oregon. Efforts of the City of Molalla and Molalla River School District in conjunction with tribal efforts hopefully will bring a Tribal presence back to the Molalla area. Seeking fertile soils, ample water and rich grasses, pioneers were attracted to the Willamette Valley. William Russell filed the first land claim in the area in 1840. In 1850, a post office was opened and the community started to grow. By 1856, the first schools were operating and the town had become a thriving timber, agricultural, and trade center. The year 1857 brought the first general store.
The year 1913 was a year of "firsts" for Molalla. It welcomed the first steam train, the first Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, the first bank, the first locally published weekly newspaper, and the incorporation of the City. Over the years, lumber production became the community's largest commodity. At one point, five saw mills operated in Molalla.Timber remained the mainstay of the community's economy until the 1980's.
City Mission
The City of Molalla strives to deliver cost-effective, quality municipal services, protect public health and safety, encourage public involvement in civic affairs, promote a diversified economy and community livability, safeguard the environment, and provide family-oriented recreational opportunities.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The City of Molalla is a full-service municipal corporation which operates under a council/manager form of government. The elected city council sets policies for city government, enacts ordinances, and hires, directs, and evaluates the City Manager. In turn, the City Manager is responsible for overall management and administration. The Molalla City Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Molalla Adult Center. The City Council consists of the Mayor and six councilors who act as the board of directors for the City of Molalla. Municipal services are provided by a staff of 46.7 full time employees under the direction of the City Manager. The City operates its own police department, municipal court, water, wastewater, storm water utilities, street operations, planning and engineering services, and the library.
Population
The city’s population has grown steadily. The 1960 census set the population at 1501 residents and by 1970 Molalla had grown to more than 2000 residents. The city’s population has continued to grow each year. Currently the city’s population is an estimated 9,885.
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