Geer, R. C., Farmhouse - Salem, Oregon
Posted by: 
ddtfamily
N 44° 56.552 W 122° 48.435
10T E 515206 N 4976584
RC Geer Fruit Farm farmhouse, built in 1850-51
Waymark Code: WMJA0H
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2013
Views: 2
The R.C. Geer fruit farm was founded by Ralph and Mary Geer in 1848, eleven years before Oregon became a state. It was originally a 640-acre donation land claim and remained in continuous ownership of the Geer family for more than 150 years. The main building is a provincial federal style structure and remains in good condition. There is an adjacent stone fruit cellar built before 1878. The 8-foot deep porch is a distinguishing feature of the house.
R.C. Geer was a pioneer who crossed the plains from Illinois in 1847, bringing apple and pear seeds to establish the farm. The property was said to be the second donation land claim granted in the state of Oregon. R.C. Geer was a member of the Territorial Legislature and the farmhouse held meetings related to statehood in 1859. The first native-Oregonian governor Theodore T. Geer (serving from 1899-1903) frequently visited the farm.
In 2003 the property was acquired by Jim & Ericka Toler, distant relatives of the Geers. The 20-acre farm is now a non-profit organization known as GeerCrest and is used for educational purposes and overnight programs.
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