Hughes put it in his front yard and charged 25 cents for people to look at it. But when Oregon Iron and Steel discovered the theft, several lawsuits ensued, and eventually the meteorite ended up at the Hayden Planetarium in New York. A replica of the meteorite, considered to be the largest meteorite ever found in North America, rests in downtown Willamette. Willamette incorporated as a city in 1908 by townspeople who objected when the owner of a spring in the Tualatin River, the only source of drinking water, raised his water rates. Although the volunteer fire company was the center of social events for 80 years, a strong neighborhood association now keeps Willamette abreast of issues and helps to beautify the area with planter boxes downtown.
People know the names of the kids down the street.
It's quiet, and there's certainly a lot of interest in the area about maintaining the quality of life. Annual events and everyday activities strengthen community ties. The West Linn Old-Fashioned Festival in the summer offers a chance for residents to gather in Willamette Park and to participate in a local parade. School sports and other events attract the involvement of parents, students and teachers. At Fitz's Restaurant, where lucky four-leaf clovers are strung along the walls, waitresses remember the customers' usual orders, even those who don't want pickles on their hamburgers.