Platted in 1871 along the Oregon & California railroad line, the city of Turner, Oregon was founded by and named after New Brunswick-born Henry Lewis Turner, an early settler who ran a lucrative flour mill. Incorporated in 1905, Turner has a population of 1,854 (2010 Census).
Since 1937, Turner has held the annual Marion County Lamb and Wool Show (aka "Turner Lamb Festival") on the first Saturday in June.
Turner is home of The Enchanted Forest (an amusement and theme park) and Willamette Valley Vineyards, producers of award winning wines (named one of the world's 100 best wineries in 2011 by Wine & Spirits Magazine). Both Enchanted Forest and Willamette Valley Vineyards are located to the southwest of the town proper.
In 2012, heavy rain and melting snow raised Mill Creek to flood stage, blocking major routes into town and forcing the evacuation of many residents as about 300 homes were directly affected.
The town's namesake, Henry Lewis Turner, was born in New Brunswick in 1810. In 1852, Turner and family emigrated to Oregon, settling ten miles southeast of Salem, along Mill Creek. He married Judith Julia Ann Sharp on the 26th of July 1835 in Mifflin, Harrison, Ohio.
Mr. Turner platted the town site and established a flour mill. When the railroad established a station in 1871, it was named after Turner, who died that same year. A devout Christian, the Turner family ultimately donated the land and materials to build the Turner Memorial Tabernacle and a campground east of Mill Creek in memory of Henry Turner.
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