Multnomah County Poor Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Multnomah County Poor Farm
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The Multnomah County Poor Farm in 2008
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2126 SW Halsey Street Troutdale, Oregon, U.S. |
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| Area | 10.7 acres (4.3 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | John Barnett Bridges, Jr. and Fred T. Webber |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000844 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 1990 |
The Multnomah County Poor Farm was a special place in Troutdale, Oregon, United States. It was like a community farm where people who were sick or didn't have much money could live and get help. It opened in 1911.
This farm helped people in the Portland area after another similar place in the West Hills closed. Over the years, it changed into a nursing home. Then, in the 1980s, it was empty for a while.
Since 1990, the site has been used as a fun place called McMenamins Edgefield. It's owned by a company called McMenamins that restores old buildings. This property is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
History of the Poor Farm
Why the Farm Was Built
In 1854, the government decided that counties should help people who were poor. So, in 1868, the first "pauper's farm" opened in the West Hills of Portland. This place was called Hillside Farm. It was a large area of 160 acres near Canyon Road. Today, that land is part of Washington Park.
Hillside Farm eventually closed because its buildings were in very bad condition. To replace it, the Multnomah County Poor Farm was built. It cost about $100,000 in 1911. The main building was built by plasterers and Swedish immigrants. Many of these immigrants worked as carpenters or bricklayers.
In November 1911, 211 people moved into the new farm in Troutdale. This new facility was the biggest place in Oregon funded by the county to help people. By 1914, 302 people lived there. They helped take care of farm animals and grow crops.
Growing and Changing
In 1934, a special wing was added to the farm. This new part was an infirmary, which is like a small hospital, to care for the older people living there. By 1935, the number of residents reached its highest point with 614 people. The farm eventually grew to cover 345 acres.
In 1939, a house for doctors was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. In 1940, the WPA also added an incinerator, a sprinkler system, and a sun porch.
In 1947, the name of the place changed to the Multnomah County Home and Farm. In the late 1950s, the farming part stopped. The name changed again to Edgefield Manor. By 1964, the property was used for different things. The main building became a nursing home called Edgefield Manor. Another building became the Edgefield Lodge for Emotionally Disturbed Children. The county officially called the whole place the Edgefield Center in 1964.
Closing and New Beginnings
In 1972, the county thought about closing all the Edgefield facilities. Three years later, it was estimated that fixing up the buildings would cost $400,000. In 1982, the last three patients living there moved out, and the facility officially closed.
In 1985, county groups decided to remove all the buildings except for the old jail. They wanted to sell the land to new buyers. However, in 1986, the Troutdale Historical Society disagreed with this plan. They said the buildings were historically important and should be saved.
In 1990, Edgefield was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This meant it was recognized as a special historical site. That same year, the McMenamins company bought the property. Today, McMenamins Edgefield has restaurants, pubs, gardens, movie theaters, a golf course, places for weddings, and an outdoor concert area where famous musicians perform.
