Multnomah County Poor Farm
Encyclopedia
The Multnomah County Poor Farm is a historic site in Troutdale
, Oregon
, United States. The former county poor farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Today the site is operated as an entertainment and lodging complex under the name McMenamins Edgefield, one of many historic properties owned, restored, and operated by McMenamins
.
. This facility, called Hillside Farm, was located near Canyon Road
in Portland's West Hills; the site is now part of Washington Park. Hillside Farm was closed down due to the "deplorable" condition of the building, and the Multnomah County Poor Farm was built to replace it. In November 1911, 211 residents moved to the new farm in Troutdale. This new facility was the largest county-funded relief institution in Oregon.
In 1934 an infirmary wing was built to care for the aging population of the farm. In 1935, its population peaked at 614. The farm would eventually encompass 345 acres (139.6 ha). During 1939, a doctor's duplex was built by the Works Progress Administration
(WPA). The WPA also added an incinerator, sprinkler system, and sun porch in 1940. In 1947, the name of the institution was changed to the Multnomah County Home and Farm. In the late 1950s, the farming operation ceased and the name was changed to the Edgefield Manor. 1964, the former tuberculosis hospital's name was changed to Edgefield Lodge for emotionally disturbed children. The main building became a nursing home, which was named Edgefield Manor. Farm operations also were discontinued during this time. The entire complex was declared as the Edgefield Center by county commissioners in 1964.
In 1972, the county proposed closing the entire Edgefield facilities down. 1982 saw the last three patients being relocated somewhere else. During 1985, county committees decided to remove all buildings from the area except for the jail. The reason was to market the land to potential buyers. In 1986, the Troutdale Historical Society challenged the decision to destroy all the buildings. They claimed that the buildings had historical importance and needed to be preserved. In 1990 Edgefield was named to the National Register of Historic Places
. That same year, the facility was purchased by McMenamins
.
Troutdale, Oregon
Troutdale is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon, north of Gresham and east of Wood Village. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,962....
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States. The former county poor farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Today the site is operated as an entertainment and lodging complex under the name McMenamins Edgefield, one of many historic properties owned, restored, and operated by McMenamins
McMenamins
McMenamins is a chain of nearly sixty brewpubs, microbreweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs. The chain is located mostly in the Portland metropolitan area, but has many other locations in Oregon and Washington...
.
History
In 1854 the territorial legislature gave the counties the responsibility of caring for the poor. 1868 saw the first pauper's farm open in the west hills of PortlandPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. This facility, called Hillside Farm, was located near Canyon Road
Canyon Road
Canyon Road is a road connecting Beaverton and Portland, Oregon, United States. It was the first road between the Tualatin Valley and Portland and contributed significantly to Portland becoming the area's major deep water port, and subsequent early growth of the city.The total modern length is...
in Portland's West Hills; the site is now part of Washington Park. Hillside Farm was closed down due to the "deplorable" condition of the building, and the Multnomah County Poor Farm was built to replace it. In November 1911, 211 residents moved to the new farm in Troutdale. This new facility was the largest county-funded relief institution in Oregon.
In 1934 an infirmary wing was built to care for the aging population of the farm. In 1935, its population peaked at 614. The farm would eventually encompass 345 acres (139.6 ha). During 1939, a doctor's duplex was built by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA). The WPA also added an incinerator, sprinkler system, and sun porch in 1940. In 1947, the name of the institution was changed to the Multnomah County Home and Farm. In the late 1950s, the farming operation ceased and the name was changed to the Edgefield Manor. 1964, the former tuberculosis hospital's name was changed to Edgefield Lodge for emotionally disturbed children. The main building became a nursing home, which was named Edgefield Manor. Farm operations also were discontinued during this time. The entire complex was declared as the Edgefield Center by county commissioners in 1964.
In 1972, the county proposed closing the entire Edgefield facilities down. 1982 saw the last three patients being relocated somewhere else. During 1985, county committees decided to remove all buildings from the area except for the jail. The reason was to market the land to potential buyers. In 1986, the Troutdale Historical Society challenged the decision to destroy all the buildings. They claimed that the buildings had historical importance and needed to be preserved. In 1990 Edgefield was named to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. That same year, the facility was purchased by McMenamins
McMenamins
McMenamins is a chain of nearly sixty brewpubs, microbreweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs. The chain is located mostly in the Portland metropolitan area, but has many other locations in Oregon and Washington...
.
External links
- McMenamins Edgefield (official website)
- Listing at nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com