In pre-settlement times the island was a summertime home for the Chepenefra (Mary's River) Kalapuya.
In circa 1879 early Benton County pioneers Reuben Columbus Kiger, and his wife Minerva Jane (Dolly as her mother and stepfather affectionately called her), bought some land on a small island, which he and Minerva named "Kiger Island".
Their two sons—John and Will Kiger— were not interested in being farmers, however they did live in the family owned farm house on Kiger Island.
The bridge had been in use since at least 1914, and was updated in 1934 to State Highway Commission specifications, calling for the record setting length.
[4] A large variety of crops have subsequently been grown including apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, filberts, walnuts, wheat, corn, grass seed, clover, hops, tulip bulbs, and peppermint (first planted 1995-96).