City of Lafayette

Lafayette is just 35 miles from Portland, 25 miles north of Salem, in Yamhill County. It is the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and wine country.

It is rich in history. Lafayette was established in 1846 by Joel Perkins who was an early pioneer in Oregon Territory. Lafayette was located at the Yamhill River, a point known as Yamhill Falls for many years. This is where the main Native American Trail traversed the Willamette Valley. Although the town was slow to grow at first, it grew rapidly after California discovered gold. Lafayette was one the most prosperous and important cities in Oregon in the 1850s. Lafayette grew rapidly in 1995 due to its beautiful farmland, development of Oregon’s wine industry, tourism in Yamhill County, and proximity to the Portland metropolitan area. While the city is proud of its rich history, it must also work hard to keep its small-town charm and character despite all this growth. It has a bright past, and a very bright tomorrow.