By Melissa Wagoner
Those who wish to experience the history and heritage of Mount Angel while getting in a good walk or bike ride will have a little help soon thanks to two grants which will provide informational plaques along the Mount Angel Heritage Trail.
There will be “a series of markers noting the historical significance of locations throughout the city,” Mount Angel City Manager Amber Mathiesen explained.
Developing a heritage trail has been has been a multi-year project of the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce working in collaboration with the city, and representatives of Mount Angel Abbey, St. Mary Church, Queen of Angels Monastery, Fr. Bernard Youth Center and Mount Angel Historical Society, among others.
“The purpose is to provide opportunities for exercise, tourism and history to come together,” Mathiesen said.
The project received an Oregon Community Foundation grant for $10,000 and a Marion County Community Project grant for $25,000 to move the trail from planning into construction and installation of the plaques for the up to 15 locations identified by the committee for the
first phase.
“Both agencies award grants to projects that incorporate partnerships, tourism, outdoor activity and in-kind work or matching funds,” Mathiesen said.
The final number of markers installed will depend upon the bids received. The plaques will identify each sites and its historic or architectural significance.
In 2016 the chamber brought in a tourism professional from Portland to review the walking tour plan and compile site descriptions. Meanwhile the city pursued grant funding. The OCF grant came through last winter and in June the Marion County grant was announced. “We are hoping the markers can be built and installed over the next 12 months,” Mathiesen said. “We are excited to highlight our community and its rich heritage.”
