Dorris Ranch Commercial Filbert Farm

Past

Present

Future

Dorris Ranch is an indispensable part of Willamalane Park and Recreation District and the community of Springfield because it has history and practical use for people who take advantage of the ranch. Aside from Dorris Ranch's commercial filbert farm, it has an interesting history. From the days that the Kalapuya Indians and trappers from the Hudson's Bay Company roamed the valley to the establishment of commercial filberts at the ranch, this property has a fascinating past.

Past

Dorris Ranch was established in 1892 when George and Lulu Dorris bought it. On October 27, 1982, they bought 277 acres of land from George and Marietta Thurston for $4,000. On the property they built their house, the Dorris House, the barn, and the Tomseth House (Manual 12). The Dorris House was built in 1897 and has perfect views of the orchards. The Tomseth House was built in 1910 and it overlooks the property (Manual 12). The barn was built in 1892, and it was first used as a cannery.

Way back about 2000 years before settlement by Europeans lived the Kalapuya Indians. The Kalapuya Indians lived from the last two thousand years until the mid seventeen hundreds in the Willamette Valley and on present day Dorris Ranch. The Willamette Valley was home to thirteen to twenty different bands of Kalapuya Indians. Dorris Ranch specifically was home to the band of Native Americans called the Winefelley Band. All of the different bands of Kalapuya Indians had their own territory, and the Winefelley Band's territory was on the Dorris Ranch acreage.

 After the Kalapuyan were decimated, the trappers then roamed the Willamette Valley, including Dorris Ranch. The fur trade brought trappers to this region from 1821-1843. Thomas McKay, from the Hudson's Bay Company, explored and trapped in the Willamette Valley. In the journal of Thomas McKay he wrote about a Kalapuya Indian village on or near Dorris Ranch.

After George and Lulu Dorris bought the ranch in 1882, they planted fifty trees in 1903. George originally planted a couple different kinds of crops, peaches, cherries, grapes, walnuts, asparagus, and hops (Manual 12). It is filberts that Dorris Ranch is known for.

"There are eleven separate orchards covering 75 acres and including about 9,250 filbert trees" (Manual). For forty years, the Dorris Ranch Nursery proved to be a great producer of fine trees. During the years of operation the Dorris Nursery produced 70,000 trees annually. The trees were sold all throughout the Northwest. The nursery, which started in 1925, continued until 1965 (Manual).

George was a founding member of the Eugene Fruit Growers Association. The Eugene Fruit Growers Association, also known as Agripac, set up a cannery to can fruits and vegetables (Manuals). The group thrived until about ten years ago when they went out of business, according to Susan Morasci.

Present

Even today, more than 100 years later, Dorris Ranch still is a "fully-productive commercial filbert orchard" (Brochure). The ranch still produces 50 tons of filberts each year as a nonprofit organization (Brochure).

Now Dorris Ranch is used for several different activities. One is Kids Club Summer Camp. This is a place where elementary aged school kids go during the summer and take part in activities such as field trips, sports, and swimming. Another way that Dorris Ranch is used is by people who choose the ranch at wish to get married. The couple is able to rent out the barn, Pump House with picnic area, or Tomseth House. In fact anyone can rent out any of the facilities, whether it be for business or a family get together. In addition to renting out the ranch, a person can take a hike on the tour trail, which winds you around the orchards, river, barn and Dorris House.

Future

Willamalane is soon to buy the Dorris House. The Dorris House is the original home of George and Lulu Dorris. It is currently owned by orchardist Reynold Briggs. He obtained the house from Ben and Kay Dorris, heirs of George and Lulu Dorris. Once Willamalane obtains the house it will complete Dorris Ranch, something that Willamalane has wanted since they bought the ranch in 1972 (Guide 5).

Bibliography:

Links: