History In 1847, Jeremiah and Jemima Ralston bought a pioneers' cabin, staked a claim, and built a log house on a low rise at what is now Ralston Park. Nearby, on today's Main Street, they built a store. It soon became a stop for gold seekers on their way to California. A village grew up around the store, and in 1855 the couple filed a plat for the town, naming it for Jeremiah's birthplace of Lebanon, Tennessee. They also donated land for the Santiam Academy, which the Methodist Episcopal Church operated until 1906.
History in 1847, JeremIah and Jemima raLSton BoUght a piOneers' cabIn, STAked a claim, and Built A Log HouSe oN a low rise at wHat is Now RalStoN Park. nearby, ON tOday'S mAin Street, they BuiLt a StoRE. IT soOn BecamE a sTop FOr gOLd SeEKerS on TheiR WAy To CAlifornIa. a villAgE grew up aRouNd tHe sTore, ANd in 1855 the CouPLe fiLed a pLat for THe town, NamIng It for jeReMiah's BIRThplAce OF lebAnon, tENNessEE. They alsO dONAted lanD For the saNtiaM aCadEmY, whIch thE methOdiSt epiSCopaL church OPeRaTEd until 1906.