Sunday, March 11, 2012

Buford Park

My editor, Parvati Patel, says today's topic is of no interest to her (not featuring birds or small critters).  I hope, nonetheless, you will find it worth reading.

I mentioned yesterday that my sister and I were off to Buford Park for a morning walk.  Buford Park is a 2363 acre park that includes Mt Pisgah a 1531' volcanic butte, as well as low-lying acreage along the Willamette River.  

Historically this part of the park was farm land - growing hops and running a dairy operation.      
This house is from the 1930's - the brickwork on the bottom level is very ornate, and not like anything I've seen before.

A few tough daffodils remain near the house - reminders of a gardener long-gone.

There are still a few cattle in one of the fields.

And the remains of an old barn - this is an iconic picture rural Oregon .

This is an impressive old dairy barn.  I counted 18 milking stations on this side alone.  There are still milking stanchions inside.


I mentioned hops. In the first half of the 20th century the Willamette Valley was a huge hop producer. Even during Prohibition, when the hops were exported to Germany. The growing and harvesting of hops was extremely labor-intensive, and seasonal worker like loggers would work the hop fields. My great-grandfather and grandfather worked in hop fields in the late 1920's / early 1930's.

The barns are very unique - much taller than 'normal'.

Later this week I'll post some photos of our walk along the river.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

These pictures are interesting. We have tobacco barns in KY that are extra tall for hanging and drying the tobacco. Not as many of them here either.

Mouse said...

oooo would love to have seen it as a working farm...
looking forward to the river photos :)
love mouse xxxx

Maggee said...

How nice that you and your sister enjoy walking and soaking in local history and nature. How far away from your home is this park? Looking forward to seeing more! Hugs!

Carol said...

Looks like a perfect walk--neat old buildings, pretty spring flowers, and a few not-so-wild animals thrown in for good measure :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful country you live near. I'm an East Coast girl and you are unassumingly showing me that side of the country and my interest is piqued. LOL

Melanie said...

Awwwwww. Look that face!

Love the pictures!!!