The Train Stop at
The Taylor House.
Welcome to the historic Taylor House and learn about its past before it became the artisan hubspot it is known for today.
History of the Taylor House
The Taylor House, built around 1895, is a historic home that reflects the architectural style and prosperity of Independence during its boom as the "Hop Capital of the World."
This residence is a classic example of the homes built in the late 19th century when the town was rapidly expanding due to the successful agricultural industry centered around hop production. As a property within the Historic District, it is noted for preserving its historic charm, including its two-story structure, built-in cabinetry, and wood-burning fireplace.
While the famous downtown Taylor's Drug and Fountain Building (an entirely separate commercial property) is more commonly referenced, the residence at 451 S 2nd Street is designated as a "Taylor House" on the historic register, marking it as an important, preserved residential structure dating back to the town's most prosperous era.
References:
- Property Details and Historic Designation: Redfin Listing for 451 S 2nd St, Independence, OR
- Historic District Context: Independence Historic District (Independence, Oregon) - Wikipedia
Meet the Shopkeepers
Tasha Brandon
Kevin Kryger
Independence, Oregon
Where the Trail Ended and the Hops Began
Independence, Oregon, sits at a profoundly historic junction—the point where the long and arduous journey of the Oregon Trail met the easy flow of the Willamette River. Named after Independence, Missouri, the starting point for countless pioneers, our town was founded in 1845 and quickly became a bustling river port and the last major stop for those seeking fertile land in the Willamette Valley, most known for Oregon's Wine Country. This history of enduring labor and new beginnings still shapes the character of our community today.
The Hop Capital of the World
While the river brought the first settlers, it was a specialized crop that drove Independence to global fame: hops. Starting in the late 19th century, the Willamette Valley's rich soil and ideal climate proved perfect for cultivating this essential brewing ingredient. By the early 1900s, Independence was proudly known as the "Hop Capital of the World."
The hop harvest was an enormous annual event, transforming the quiet town into a bustling center of activity. Tens of thousands of seasonal workers—farmers, families, and migrants—would descend upon the fields every August and September, living and working side-by-side to bring in the massive crop. This era fostered a tradition of hard work, ingenuity, and communal effort that remains woven into the fabric of Independence.
Preserving Heritage, Nurturing Art
Today, we honor that heritage. The historic downtown, preserved and registered nationally, showcases the architecture built during the height of the hop boom. The same spirit of dedication and craftsmanship required to cultivate and process those world-class hops is what we strive for in the artisan goods we create and sell today.
When you support our small business, you are celebrating not just the quality of the product, but the rich, hardworking history of Independence, Oregon—a town built by pioneers and sustained by the bounty of the valley.