Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop's Close facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop's Close |
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Path through the Cascades section of the gardens
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| Location | Dunthorpe, Oregon, United States |
| Area | 13-acre (5.3 ha) |
| Owned by | Episcopal Diocese of Oregon |
| Status | Open to the public |
The Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop's Close are beautiful gardens located on a hillside in Dunthorpe, Oregon. They offer amazing views of the Willamette River in the United States. Peter Kerr started these gardens in 1916. The entire estate is 13 acres (about 5.3 hectares) big.
After Peter Kerr passed away in 1957, the gardens became part of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. Today, the estate, which includes a house that looks like a Scottish manor, is open for everyone to visit. You can see many types of Magnolias and other trees, shrubs, and plants. Some are native to the area, and others come from different parts of the world. Dunthorpe is a small community located south of Portland and north of Lake Oswego.
Contents
History of the Gardens
Peter Kerr moved to Portland from Scotland in 1888. He started a business that sold grain. In the early 1890s, Peter, his brother, and a business partner bought land on the hillside. They built a small cottage there. Peter lived in the cottage until 1916.
Building the Manor and Gardens
In 1905, Peter Kerr married Laurie King. They continued to live in the cottage. In 1916, a new house was finished on the property. It looked like a grand Scottish manor. A famous landscape architect named John Olmsted helped choose the perfect spot for the house. This spot gave it a wonderful view of Mount Hood.
After the manor was built, Peter Kerr began to create a large garden. His wife encouraged him. He planted many different kinds of plants. Some were from his travels around the world, and others were native to the Pacific Northwest. Peter spent almost 60 years working on the garden. He was 95 years old when he passed away.
The Gardens Become Public
When Peter Kerr died in 1957, his daughters, Anne McDonald and Jane Platt, gave the estate to the Episcopal Bishop of Oregon. They also provided money to help maintain the gardens. The main condition was that the gardens must be open for everyone to visit.
The diocese named the gardens "Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop's Close." The "Elk Rock" part of the name comes from nearby cliffs above the river. These cliffs were called Elk Rock in the late 1800s. The "Close" part of the name is an old word, mostly used in Britain. It means an enclosed area around a church or other holy place.
In 1994, two groups were formed to help protect and care for the garden. They are called the Elk Rock Garden Foundation and the Friends of Elk Rock Garden.
Nearby Attractions
The City of Portland manages a public park on land next to the gardens. The Kerr family donated this land in 1955. This park, called the Peter Kerr Property, has natural areas. It also includes part of a 1,200-foot (about 366-meter) railroad tunnel. The Willamette Shore Trolley uses this tunnel for fun rides between Portland and Lake Oswego.
Across the river from the gardens and park is Elk Rock Island. You can reach this island from Spring Park in Milwaukie, on the east side of the river.
See also
In Spanish: Jardines Elk Rock del Obispado para niños
