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PROJECT OVERVIEW DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 1 I. PROJECT OVERVIEW Oregon’s history is rooted in agricultural landscapes surrounded by natural features such as rivers, meadows and woodlands that have attracted both Native Americans and settlers to this region for centuries. Today, few places remain that embody this aspect of our collective heritage, and even fewer remain that are open to the public. Dorris Ranch is one such place. The 258-acre Dorris Ranch Living History Farm — Willamalane’s largest park — is located at the confluence of the Middle and Coast Forks of the Willamette River, less than one mile south of downtown Springfield. With its authentic rural character, recreational activities, cultural resource centerpieces, and native oak and riparian communities, Dorris Ranch is not only a highlight of Willamalane’s collection of parks and open spaces, it is an invaluable natural and cultural resource for the region. The park’s rich ecological diversity and cultural significance raises interesting development and management issues that require a long-term plan, sensitive to the authentic character of the site as well as its experiential values. The purpose of this updated master plan will be to preserve and appropriately enhance the distinctive and vital blend of history, landscape, architecture and programming that exists on the site. The plan will review past activities and ideas along with those presently pursued, providing clear future direction for improving and managing the ranch and its resources. While this constellation of natural and man-made features — rare in Springfield and Oregon —provides a multi-layered assortment of opportunities, it also requires customized management tactics. This overview describes the purpose of the plan, the Dorris Ranch site, and the master plan development planning process. It summarizes findings from the public involvement process and provides a description farm road dorris house barn

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Page 1: I. PROJECT OVERVIEW

PROJECT OVERVIEW

DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 1

I . PROJECT OVERVIEW

Oregon’s history is rooted in agricultural landscapes surrounded by natural

features such as rivers, meadows and woodlands that have attracted both

Native Americans and settlers to this region for centuries. Today, few

places remain that embody this aspect of our collective heritage, and even

fewer remain that are open to the public. Dorris Ranch is one such place.

The 258-acre Dorris Ranch Living History Farm — Willamalane’s largest

park — is located at the confluence of the Middle and Coast Forks of the

Willamette River, less than one mile south of downtown Springfield.

With its authentic rural character, recreational activities, cultural

resource centerpieces, and native oak and riparian communities, Dorris

Ranch is not only a highlight of Willamalane’s collection of parks and

open spaces, it is an invaluable natural and cultural resource for the

region.

The park’s rich ecological diversity and cultural significance raises

interesting development and management issues that require a long-term

plan, sensitive to the authentic character of the site as well as its

experiential values. The purpose of this updated master plan will be to

preserve and appropriately enhance the distinctive and vital blend of

history, landscape, architecture and programming that exists on the site.

The plan will review past activities and ideas along with those presently

pursued, providing clear future direction for improving and managing the

ranch and its resources. While this constellation of natural and man-made

features — rare in Springfield and Oregon —provides a multi-layered

assortment of opportunities, it also requires customized management

tactics.

This overview describes the purpose of the plan, the Dorris Ranch site,

and the master plan development planning process. It summarizes

findings from the public involvement process and provides a description

farm road

dorris house

barn

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

2 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

of the Ranch’s cultural and natural history. Finally, it describes the

organization of this master plan document.

PURPOSE OF PLAN

The intent of this updated master plan is to draw from the original goals

of the Dorris Ranch Land Use Plan (1979) which include:

Preserving the extraordinary historical and natural resources on

the site;

Ensuring conservation of the site as a significant open space

resource;

Preserving and enhancing the site’s distinctive character and

visual quality; and

Providing recreational and support facilities that do not degrade

habitat or visitor experience.

These goals will be weighed with current management opportunities and

challenges as outlined in the Dorris Ranch Management Plan (2005) to

develop an inspirational, achievable plan for the future of the Dorris

Ranch Living History Farm.

SITE DESCRIPTION

Dorris Ranch is part of an extensive system of parks and open spaces in

both the Willamalane Park and Recreation District and in Lane County.

The Ranch is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the first

commercial hazelnut farm in the United States. It lies at the confluence

of the Middle Fork and Coast Fork of the Willamette River. It also lies

within the Willamette River Greenway established by the state of Oregon

in 1973. The 258-acre Ranch lies south of a small residential

neighborhood on a forested butte called Willamette Heights, and east of a

manufactured home subdivision called Filbert Grove. Currently the park

is divided between the roughly ten acres that is used for community

functions, the forested and riparian natural areas with more than two

miles of trails, several acres of upland hill slope, and the active filbert filbert orchard

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 3

orchards. Much of the west and south portions of the park (approximately

200 acres) are in the 100-year floodplain. An existing site plan and aerial

photograph are shown in Maps 1 and 2.

The park is currently accessed primarily by auto with some bicycle and

foot traffic from its main entrance at the end of South Second Street—a

distance of about three-quarter miles from downtown Springfield. The site

seamlessly blends features reflecting its cultural history and its natural

setting. Eight historic buildings and structures nestled in and around 75

acres of filbert orchards on fertile agricultural land are accessed by historic

farm roads—many of which serve as walking trails today. Added cultural

water features, originally dug in the 1920s and improved through the

1940s, include the irrigation channel, diversion dam, and the pond.

These cultural features are complemented by numerous natural features

including a wetland and a lush native riparian habitat containing 3,750

feet of Willamette River frontage. Coniferous and deciduous woodlands

blanket portions of the site. Hillsides in the northern and eastern portions

of the site are primarily inhabited by oak woodlands, savanna, and prairie

landscapes. Because of the diversity and interspersion of habitat types, the

entire area has considerable value to many species of plants and wildlife.

Existing wetlands and prairies provide highly productive and valuable

habitat for certain wildlife species and plants. Natural areas (containing

old growth Douglas fir stands) are habitats of climax vegetation and

contain diverse vegetation types and wildlife habitats.

PLANNING PROCESS

Over twenty years have passed since the Facility Development Plan was

completed in 1986. While this Plan stands as the most recent guiding

document for future development, it does not wholly reflect

Willamalane’s current operating budget and staff resources, the

community’s values and interests, or the changing face of current

agricultural and preservation practices. To guide planning and log cabin

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4 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

development for the special resources of Dorris Ranch, funding was

secured to produce an updated Master Plan that would take current

values, issues and budgets into account and provide an inspiring and

achievable roadmap for the future. The consulting firm of MIG Inc. was

chosen to lead this effort with a team of landscape architects, planners,

architects, historic preservation specialists, and natural resource experts.

For the planning process, major emphasis was placed on involving various

members of the community at crucial points during the development of

the plan. Towards the beginning of the planning process, members of the

community at large and friends of Dorris Ranch were encouraged to

participate in a web-based survey of current needs and preferences,

community leaders were interviewed, and natural and cultural resource

experts gathered for a one-day workshop to bring together the latest

knowledge and identify the most critical current and future issues facing

Dorris Ranch. At the midpoint of the process, the MIG planning team

met with the Willamalane Board of Directors to discuss the results of

these outreach efforts and gain their insights.

The MIG planning team met four times with the Willamalane Project

Steering Committee. This collaboration aided in identifying priorities and

guiding the development of master plan design alternatives. The master

plan alternatives were previewed at a Community Open House where all

members of the community and those who have contributed to the

process had an opportunity to comment and ask questions. Following this

Open House and further direction from the Project Steering Committee,

elements from each of the alternatives were combined and further

developed to form a draft master plan for review by the Committee before

being approved by the Willamalane Board of Directors.

pump house

Page 5: I. PROJECT OVERVIEW

*

briggs housrigg hououtbuildingsbuil ngschicken coopn co

chicken coochch ckenrestrooms

kitchen gardenkitctchheritage gardenheh

tomseth housepioneer cabin

dorris barn/toolshededd

dorris house: privateresidence and gardenr

historic swimming pool

basalalt roct rock quak rry

pump housuseus and ushpacking shedeededn

picnic areaic

wedding treewedd

H I S TO R I C B O U N D A RY

tiooninformatioioonatiookiosk

W I L L A M E T T E R I V E R

S I T E B O U N D A RY ( A P P R OX I M AT E )

oldold dairyyairyirybarnbarn sits e

irrigatiogatiion pondondgation piotiiioiifor nurserrseeryrynurseserer

asparagusfield

dorrdo is leonardrrevetment

concordgrapes

yyoldd dairdairyyytteeitteebarnbarn sitenn si eeitei e

2 ho2 hoppdryedryersrs

yy fielfielddhayay

openopen pas pastureture

brick kiln

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BACK WALNUT ORCHARD

7 ACRE CHERRY ORCHARD

CLUMPORCHARD

MANNORCHARD

CANNERYORCHARD

NURSERYORCHARD

ROADORCHARD

FRONT CHERRYORCHARD

SNELLORCHARD

OLDBRIGGSORCHARD

NEWBRIGGSORCHARD

WALNUTORCHARD

GOAT ORCHARD

MAP 1: EXISTING SITE N

0 ft 200 ft 400 ft

NOTE: THE HISTORIC FEATURES ON THIS MAP ARE BASED ON THE 1979 LAND USE MAP DRAWN BY RUFF, CAMERON, LACOSS AND ASSOCIATES.

wetland / floodplain area

detsil yltnerruc sdrahcroyradnuob cirotsihas contributing resources in the national registry of historic places documentation

orchards not currently listed as contributing resources in the national registry of historic places documentation

site boundary (approx.) structure historic features

historic diversion channel and dam

openpasture{ }

*

D O R R I S R A N C H L I V I N G H I S T O R Y F A R M M A S T E R P L A N U P D A T EW I L L A M A L A N E P A R K D I S T R I C T , S P R I N G F I E L D , O R

M O O R E I A C O F A N O G O L T S M A N , I N C .

8 1 5

S W 2 N D A V E S U I T E 2 0 0 P O R T L A N D , O R 9 7 2 0 4 T 5 0 3 . 2 9 7 . 1 0 0 5

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6 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

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MAP 2: SITE AERIAL

site boundary (approximate)

N

0 ft 200 ft 400 ft

D O R R I S R A N C H L I V I N G H I S T O R Y F A R M M A S T E R P L A N U P D A T ED O R R I S R A N C H L I V I N G H I S T O R Y F A R M M A S T E R P L A N U P D A T EW I L L A M A L A N E P A R K D I S T R I C T , S P R I N G F I E L D , O R

M O O R E I A C O F A N O G O L T S M A N , I N C .8 1 5 S W 2 N D A V E S U I T E 2 0 0 P O R T L A N D , O R 9 7 2 0 4 T 5 0 3 . 2 9 7 . 1 0 0 5

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8 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 9

The information gathered to date from the community, from meetings

and strategy sessions with the Project Steering Committee, through

meetings and consultations with natural and cultural resource experts,

and research and analysis completed by the MIG planning team ensures

that the master plan will address the current needs and opportunities

related to Dorris Ranch.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

To understand the intricate relationships between existing resources at

Dorris Ranch, it is important to examine these resources with an

understanding of how they have been formed and managed to date. Due

to the complexity of these dynamic elements, it was important to involve

community members in the planning process. The MIG planning team

believes that reaching out to the community—by using a variety of

methods and in a variety of ways—ensures a successful public

involvement process. Understanding that some people feel comfortable

writing letters or participating in surveys, while others like to engage in

discussions, MIG was careful to infuse all methods into the process. For

example, the web questionnaire at the beginning of the planning process

was blended with an Open House near the end. A workshop with cultural

and natural resource specialists, which facilitated a free-flowing

discussion, was balanced with one-on-one interviews with community

leaders and professionals. Hosting Open Houses, administering

questionnaires, and displaying idea and design boards encouraged a free

flow of ideas and discussions between resource specialists, park planners

and the public. The process—summarized below—generated active

discussions and provided a foundation and direction for the updated

Master Plan. More detailed summaries of outreach efforts are included in

the Appendix.

Over 300 individuals participated in the master plan development

process. Key findings that emerged include:

Enhance Dorris Ranch’s services;

dying incense cedar

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10 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Rehabilitate, enhance, and/or preserve historic buildings and

landscape features;

Improve the trails and signage, and provide larger parking areas;

Provide more opportunities to view wildlife and learn about the

natural resources;

Expand offerings of programs and events—especially the Living

History Program;

Increase connectivity to other places in the community;

Expand event facilities;

Emphasize resource management;

Maintain form, function and vitality of infrastructure;

Support a multiplicity of activities on site; and

Minimize car traffic in the interior of the Ranch

Web Questionnaire

A web-based and supplemental paper questionnaire gathered community

opinion from interested park users on such topics as natural resources,

cultural resources, programs and special events. Over 250 responses were

collected between March 14, 2008 and May 2, 2008. Results from the web

and paper responses were merged, and key findings included:

Most respondents feel Dorris Ranch is important or very

important to the community's quality of life.

Most respondents who visit Dorris Ranch between once a month

to once a week feel that its cultural and natural resources are of

high importance.

Half of the respondents rarely visit Dorris Ranch (less than five

times a year). They cited reasons such as not knowing what is

available; not being interested or having very little time.

For the majority of respondents, Dorris Ranch is important to the

local economy.

Over 80% of respondents felt the following were important

benefits of Dorris Ranch:

willamette river side channel

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 11

-Protecting the historic resources (94%) and natural environment

(88%) at Dorris Ranch;

-Providing programming and special events (86%) at Dorris

Ranch; and

-Providing facilities that accommodate unguided personal or

small-group use (92%).

Cultural and Natural Resources Workshop

In an effort to exchange ideas and develop preliminary solutions for the

stewardship of cultural and natural resources, the MIG Planning Team

met with natural and cultural resource specialists and members of the

Willamalane Project Steering Committee on Monday, February 25, 2008.

Invited guests included: Ed Alverson, The Nature Conservancy; Matt

Blakely-Smith, Institute for Applied Ecology; Bruce Newhouse, Salix

Associates; Jeff Olsen, Oregon State University Extension Service; Chris

Orsinger, Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah; Ross Penhallegon,

Oregon State University Extension Service; and Barry Sims, Trout

Mountain Forestry. With goals for the workshop carefully outlined,

cultural and natural resource specialists each met in separate small group

sessions to discuss areas of high value, opportunities, and constraints.

Salient points of each small-group discussion were brought back to the

larger group for learning and discussion. Some key discussion points

included:

Dorris Ranch possesses some of the region’s most distinctive

resources. More well-known are the ranch’s cultural resources,

including the filbert orchards and agricultural buildings and

structures. Less well-known, but just as exceptional, are the site’s

natural resources—most notably the oak|prairie|savanna and the

old-growth floodplain forest. These traditionally recognized

natural resources also possess cultural significance, notably to the

Native American settlement era.

While often perceived as conflicting resources, Dorris Ranch’s

cultural and natural resources are balanced on site. They fit

cabin workshop

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12 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

together in the landscape like the Chinese philosophical symbol of

yin and yang.

Management is as important as restoration. Adjusting how

resources are managed will gradually improve the ecosystem and/or

add vitality to the cultural resources. Active management of these

resources is critical to increase their value and function.

Stakeholder Interviews

MIG conducted six stakeholder interviews with a variety of individuals

with close ties to Dorris Ranch. These interviewees spoke about their

personal and professional experiences with the site and shared their

opinions on how to increase its successful integration with the

community. The list of interviewees, including representatives of public

agencies in education, historic preservation and planning, as well as

individuals representing the interests of local businesses and residents, was

generated in consultation with the Willamalane Park and Recreation

District and the MIG Planning Team. Those interviewed were:

Evelyn Abraham – citizen with lengthy involvement with Dorris

Ranch;

Dan Egan – Springfield Chamber of Commerce;

Linda Pauly – City of Springfield Planning Department;

Stephen Poyser – Oregon State Historic Preservation Office;

Robert Young – Lane Education Service District; and

Scott Dano – Dorris Ranch Living History Program Those interviewed offered a great deal of information and insight to the

planning team including the following summarized thoughts:

Dorris Ranch provides an irreplaceable opportunity to experience

various times in history. It provides first-hand, engaging

educational experiences and various opportunities for visitors. It is

a great place for walking, and a distinctive attraction for

Springfield.

douglas fir

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 13

People benefit from experiences they wouldn’t otherwise

encounter in everyday life. Dorris Ranch provides high-quality

programming and valuable events, especially for children.

Providing an educational experience in a relaxing, beautiful green

space is of great value, and improves the quality of life for the

whole community. The site possesses many rare and valuable

ecological resources.

Dorris Ranch should expand their offerings of programs and

events, scheduling activities on a more regular basis.

Open space and natural areas are of utmost importance. This issue

needs to be front and center. However, there must be a balance,

and resources should not be overprotected. A sign of success

should be more visitors—a more accessible park.

It is important to preserve the historical elements and interpret

these resources in the proper way.

More emphasis should be placed on outreach to the community in

order to attract more people to the park.

Living History exhibits and activities should be expanded. A

larger meeting facility and improved signage is needed. Trails and

riparian areas need continued maintenance. Bike paths and other

connections to the community should be provided.

Willamalane should ensure that the Ranch is adequately

supported, including funding from the District’s general fund if

needed. It is not realistic for the park to be self-sufficient.

There are many opportunities for partnerships.

Springfield Historic Commission Meeting

Rebecca Gershow, a Planner for Willamalane Park and Recreation

District, met with the Springfield Historic Commission on April 8, 2008

to discuss the ongoing master planning process and provide an

opportunity for Commissioners’ comments. Willamalane staff consulted

with Kitti Gale, a planner with the City of Springfield and staff to the

Springfield Historic Commission. Key information obtained included: wetland area

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14 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Increase efforts to inform local community about Dorris Ranch,

including better signage in downtown;

Nominate the Tomseth House and Briggs House to the National

Register of Historic Places;

Encourage a decrease in car traffic through interior of Ranch;

Consider a demonstration garden/landscape around one of the

homes on site to show interested homeowners the value of

“domesticated” historic plantings;

Instead of more signage, consider using Crime Prevention

Through Environmental Design (CPTED) since this method

provides ways to use lighting and landscaping to direct park users;

Increase coordination efforts. They are vital and should include

the Springfield Museum and the Springfield Historic Commission;

and

Educate the public about historic preservation

Board of Directors Meeting

On April 23, 2008 MIG presented information to the Willamalane Board

of Directors about the Dorris Ranch Master Plan update. The planning

process, particularly the public outreach, was reviewed with the board

members. Questions focused on the web survey and how to increase

outreach in the remaining week that it was available to the public.

Open House

MIG hosted an Open House for the community to solicit comments on

two master plan design alternatives for Dorris Ranch on August 19, 2008.

This provided the community—especially those who have participated in

the process during previous public outreach opportunities—with a relaxed

environment in which to discuss the recommendations with the MIG

planning team and the Project Steering Committee. It gave those who

have not been involved in the process an opportunity to influence the

direction of the master plan at a key moment.

powerline corridor

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 15

Key findings from the Open House included:

Support for redirecting traffic flow on the main entry road

Support for additional trails that are ADA accessible

Support for expanding the Living History Village and keeping it in

its current location

Support for rehabilitating historic buildings

Support for enhanced event and gathering space

Support for treading lightly on the site

Concern about removing the Briggs House

Concern about the addition of significant parking

SITE HISTORY

Planning for the future of Dorris Ranch requires an understanding of the

site’s cultural and natural history. The preservation of this history and the

existing historic fabric were tantamount to the property’s transfer from

private ownership to public stewardship by Willamalane and its

designation as a public park. A great deal of research completed over the

years was consulted during the development of this Master Plan. In

particular, the site’s cultural and natural history that is summarized below

was based on four primary sources, the Dorris Ranch Land Use Plan (1979),

the Dorris Ranch Facility Development Plan (1986), the National Register of

Historic Places Nomination (1988), and the Dorris Ranch Management Plan

(2005). It was outside the scope of work for the Master Plan update to

duplicate research that had already been completed so in many cases

information from these reports is directly summarized. Additional

research was limited, but was completed and included in the following

Site History when the information was considered germane to this

planning effort.

Cultural History

Established in 1892, Dorris Ranch is recognized as the first commercial

filbert orchard in the United States and is listed in the National Register

of Historic Places. The site, a classic example of an early 20th century oaks

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16 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

agricultural property, covers 258 acres, but once totaled over 277 acres at

its height of production under the Dorris’ ownership. Under the guidance

of George Dorris, Dorris Ranch was recognized as one of the most

successful commercial filbert orchards in the United States. The orchards

planted by George Dorris and later by his nephew Ben Dorris have been

in continuous successful operation since 1905. Dorris Ranch has been

described as “a landscape significant in the history of Springfield, the

history of agriculture in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, and the

history of filbert nut culture in the United States.”

The history of Dorris Ranch has been shaped by many influences,

including the Kalapuyan people, who lived and hunted and gathered here,

as well as early white settlers. Occupation by the native Indians in the

Willamette River Valley began with a gradual drift southward from the

Northwest Territories. The upper Willamette River Valley was inhabited

by three Indian tribes who lived and passed through the region: the

Kalapuyas who made the region a permanent home, and the Molallas and

Klamath who regularly visited the valley. The valley abounded in game,

many varieties of blackberries, salalberries, huckleberries, and several

types of edible roots such as the wapato and camas. Early contacts with

white settlers were made by the Klamath Indians who came over the

mountains on the old Indian trail. According to early writings, the trail

led down the north bank of the Middle Fork, possibly passing through

Dorris Ranch.

Indian occupancy ended in 1855, when the Kalapuyan Indians ceded the

Willamette River area to the United States Government, and the white

settlement and pioneering era began. Between 1850 and 1880 there was

an accumulation of homesteads on the valley floor, including the first

donation claim in the village of Springfield by Elias M. Briggs. A major

shift in land occupancy and ownership occurred with the Donation Land

Claim Act of 1850, which allowed a single person to claim 320 acres or a

family to claim 640 acres if the land was occupied prior to that date. After autumn meadow

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DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE| 17

1850 the allotted land was lowered to 160 acres and 320 acres for single

men and families, respectively. Settlement took place along the River,

with wheat and vegetable fields set aside, along with kitchen gardens. It

soon became apparent to European settlers that the Willamette Valley

was a rich and fertile area well suited for agricultural endeavors of all

types.

The property’s first owners, William and Eliza Masterson, homesteaded

320 acres of land in 1852. For the next forty years the property exchanged

hands thirteen times. In October 1892, George and Lulu Dorris bought

the rich bottomland, river frontage, and scrubby hillside land that is now

Dorris Ranch from George and Marietta Thurston for $4,000. George

Dorris soon began to make it a viable and prospering ranch. In 1899 he

built the Dorris House, where he lived until he died. Hops were an active

crop on the land prior to George Dorris’s ownership. Although he

continued their production, it wasn’t too long before George decided that

hops were not viable or productive enough and their commercial

production was soon abandoned in 1899. Over the following years, the

Dorris Family planted asparagus, artichokes, okra, peaches, plums, figs,

table grapes, strawberries, walnuts and cherries.

The first fifty filbert trees were planted in 1905, making this one of the

oldest filbert orchards in the Pacific Northwest. In 1912, Dorris began

experimenting with filbert propagation methods, paying particular

attention to new ways of propagating, planting, pruning and harvesting.

Those experiments led to his becoming an industry leader. Before 1931

there were only two acres of filbert nursery and thirty acres of orchards.

In 1935 three more acres of nursery were added. In fact, by 1951 more

than half of all commercial filbert trees in the United States could be

traced back to Dorris Ranch. This acreage produced 70,000 trees annually

that were sold throughout the Northwest thereby ensuring Dorris’

influence on the region’s commercial production of filberts. The nursery

area was diminished in 1956, and sales of filbert stock were halted in walnut grove

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18 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

1965. When George Dorris died in 1936, he was praised for his

commitment to agriculture, his civic responsibility and his role as a

pioneer. As a result, Dorris Ranch played an integral and significant part

in the development of the southern Willamette Valley as a center of

filbert agricultural production. Though the nursery business ceased, the

orchards are still in commercial production today. In April 2005, the

Dorris Ranch orchards received Oregon Heritage Tree status,

commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the first commercial filbert

orchard at the Ranch.

Between 1970 and 1973 a large portion of Dorris Ranch was acquired by

Willamalane through funding provided by the Land and Water

Conservation Fund, the Willamette River Park System Corridor Project,

the Springfield Park Development Committee, and a donation from Ben

and Kay Dorris. An additional 75 acres of riparian area was deeded by

Oregon Parks and Recreation to Willamalane in 1988. As part of the

transition, Willamalane created the Dorris Ranch Land Use Plan in 1979,

and by its adoption the District agreed, in principle, to protect and use

the historic resources of Dorris Ranch, rather than devote the property

solely to recreational uses. In 1984, the Willamalane Board of Directors

unanimously approved a special task force proposal to protect, maintain,

and develop the historically significant and successfully producing

agricultural land as a living history farm and agricultural museum. In

1986, the Dorris Ranch Facility Development Plan was created with the goal

of “ensuring that in coming years the Ranch continues to be a meaningful

source of appreciation for this area’s past and an inspiration for its future.”

In 1987, a nomination was submitted for 109 acres of Dorris Ranch to be

included in the National Register of Historic Places, including the

majority of the filbert orchards, barns, Dorris House, freezer house, roads,

diversion dam and swimming pool. Not included in the National Register

documentation is the entry area, Briggs House, Tomseth House, riparian

or upland areas. farm equipment

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Natural History

Ecologically, geologically and geographically, the Dorris Ranch site lies in

a transition zone between the hills to the south and the expanding and

widening valley to the north. Typical of landscapes along the Middle Fork

of the Willamette River, Dorris Ranch is rich and diverse, containing

3,750 lineal feet of river frontage, fertile agricultural land, lush riparian

vegetation, and dense conifer and deciduous woodlands. These natural

features are complemented by an array of oak woodlands, savanna and

prairies. Because of the diversity and interspersion of habitat types, the

entire area as it now stands has considerable value to many species of fish

and wildlife. Existing wetlands provide highly productive and valuable

habitat for certain wildlife species and plants. Natural areas containing

old growth Douglas fir stands are examples of habitats of climax

vegetation.

The pattern and vegetation types of the Dorris Ranch landscape have

evolved due to both natural and anthropogenic forces. During the mid-

1800s, the site was wooded with open grassland covered hills, primarily

due to the repeated fires set by local Native Americans for hunting

purposes. The relatively sparse woodland—likely most dense near the

river—was found throughout the property, including scattered oaks on

the hillside, a mix of Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and oak on the lower

elevations, as well as a mix of cottonwood, maple, ash, alder, and willow

along the river edge.

Settlement began around 1850 and many remaining woodlands were

cleared to provide more viable farm land. Grazing kept the hillside grassy

except along fence rows and along the rocky slope at the base of the

hillside where young oaks began to grow around established oaks. Along

the southern edge of the property a thick stand of Douglas fir spread out

from a core of older trees which shaded a small but growing forest of both

firs and maples. Along the river’s edge repeated flooding left a patchwork

of old and new growth riparian plant species. flower garden

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20 | DORRIS RANCH LIVING HISTORY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE

The basic pattern of woodland/grassland/farm remained the same from

1900 to 1945 with only some changes in the woodlands’ composition. All

of the woodlands grew taller and shadier. In the Douglas fir woods, maples

grew abundantly in the understory and began to join fir in the canopy

along the southern edge of the forest. In the oak woodlands at the base of

the hillside, maples grew with some firs, especially among the oaks at the

bottom of the rocky slope. Construction of an irrigation channel and

diversion dam through the site in the 1930s produced a new community

of maples and firs along its banks. Construction of the river revetment in

the 1950s removed a large area of woodland, but flood control by dams

upstream has allowed for a denser more stable growth of riparian species

along the Willamette River bank. By 1979, continued succession in the

woodlands brought more shade and more shade-tolerant species.

PLAN ORGANIZATION

The Dorris Ranch Master Plan is organized into six sections and an

appendix:

Project Overview: Describes the purpose of the plan, Dorris Ranch

site, a summary of the planning process and public involvement

efforts, and a brief summary of the Ranch’s cultural and natural

history.

Site Inventory & Analysis: Summarizes the existing site conditions

to provide context and analysis for master plan development.

Mission, Vision, & Goals: outlines the mission, vision, and goals

both for Willamalane Park and Recreation District and for Dorris

Ranch, which served as overarching guides for the planning

process.

Master Plan Narrative and Diagrams: Provides recommendations

and a design plan that will guide future planning and development

efforts at Dorris Ranch.

Phasing Plan: Provides recommendations for phased

implementation of the design plan. gate to orchards

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Cost Estimates: To be developed following the presentation to the

Willamalane Board.

Appendix: Provides supplementary information related to the

master plan and development process.