2020 Map of Sweet Home

About this map

The South Santiam River flows through the heart of this Linn County landscape, anchoring the city of Sweet Home and the adjacent community of Foster. The local economy's ties to the timber industry are evidenced by the presence of the Willamette Log Pond and the expansive Foster Lake. Further north, the terrain transitions into the elevations of Marks Ridge, North Butte, and Hogback Ridge, where numerous small creeks like McDowell Cr and Hamilton Cr carve through the foothills. Genealogists and local historians can find several established burial grounds scattered across the valley and surrounding hills, including Powell Cem, Ames Cem, Gilliland Cem, and Wiley Cem. Small settlements and naming conventions such as Lower Pleasant Valley and Berlin reflect a pattern of rural development focused along the river and the base of the Cascades.