[3][4] A branch of the narrow-gauge Oregonian Railway was built through the area in about 1880, and the station there was called "East Side Junction".

In 1895, the station was renamed "Enger" after a good friend by a Mr. Larson who platted a townsite by that name in 1898 (still on file at Marion County) and opened the first store there.

The name "Enger" was rejected by the postal service as too easily confused with Eugene, however, and the name of the station changed to "Pratum".

The Pratum Co-op was established in 1946 and still occupies the original site along the railroad as well as several others in close proximity, though the landmark grain elevators have recently been torn down.

The co-op has expanded geographically over the years [6] and the headquarters relocated to Salem, but the name based on this small community has been retained.