Ben Williams, a resident of French Prairie and President of Friends of Historic Butteville, will be presenting the captivating history of Butteville and the Historic Butteville Store. As the longest continuously operating retail establishment in Oregon, the Butteville Store is a significant landmark in the state’s history.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Butteville was a major community in French Prairie and Marion County, thriving as a port town known as the “Hops capital of Oregon.” The town featured a bustling community with two churches, a school, a Masonic Temple, an Oddfellow’s Hall, a post office, and two grain elevators. Sternwheelers transported agricultural goods up and down the Willamette River, cementing Butteville’s economic importance.
However, the arrival of the railroad around 1907 diminished the need for river transport, leading to the town’s decline. While Butteville struggled with these changes, nearby Wilsonville greatly benefitted from the new transportation routes. Ben Williams will explore how these shifts impacted both towns, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past and the ongoing efforts to preserve Butteville’s heritage. His organization is dedicated to preserving the history of Butteville, operating the historic store, and restoring the Butteville Landing.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.
Official bio:
Ben Williams lives in French Prairie, in the community of Butteville. He was born and raised overseas, moving back to the US for college. He graduated from College of Southern Utah and holds an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. He spent his career in various sales leadership positions in the medical device industry. Ben has been involved in leadership development programs in both the corporate and nonprofit space. He was part of founding Friends of French Prairie a local land use advocacy organization, and serves on the board of Friends of Historic Butteville and most recently on the board of 1000 Friends of Oregon.
