The city of Independence, Oregon is located a short distance from the state’s capital of Salem along Route 51 and next to the Willamette River. It was founded by a group of pioneers from Independence, Missouri who were searching for fertile farmland to claim in the mid-1800s. Following a turn as a transport hub in the late 19th century, it became known for its extensive hops fields that were crucial for beer production on the West Coast. A “Hops Fiesta” was even held for a few decades in the early 20th century before the fields became less profitable in the '50s. With the expansion of Salem’s boundaries, Independence is a quiet suburb of the capital.