Rick Cook, Lake Oswego

“As stewards of this “jewel” we take great pride in trying to preserve, improve and protect one of the oldest “treasures” in the state.”

In 1900 James Preston Cook bought 130 acres from Adam Randolph Shipley, who had crossed the plains via the Oregon Trail to Portland in 1852.  Shipley was an early homesteader in the Hazelia area, now Oswego.  In 1883, my Great Grandfather (J.P. Cook) traveled from Ohio to work in Oswego’s early iron ore industry.  After working in Oregon for a while he returned to Ohio to bring his bride back to live in Oregon, eventually purchasing and settling in the Shipley house.

“He took an “active interest in beautifying the farm…and the unusual trees planted by the Shipley family.” A partial list of the trees on the property at the time of Cook’s death in 1931, include: Eastern Chestnut, Cedar, Beechnut, Black Locust, Eastern Hard Maple, Eastern Sugar Maple, Rock Oak, Eastern Persimmons, Elm, Mulberry, Wahoo, Vine Maple, Oregon Laurel, Alaskan Cedar, Shelbrook Hickory, Mountain Ash, Yew, Sequoia, Poplar, Native Oak, three varieties of Willow, Eastern Elderberry, Lavendar, Dogwood, and Fig Trees.” (From the application narrative to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 2008).

The Shipley and Cook families were involved in the local grange, having many family members serve at the state level as well.  The Hazelia grange was located on the original Shipley property and supported by both families, supplying buildings for meetings and a water pipeline in the early days.

Over the years as farming became less productive and taxes increased, parts of the 130 acres were sold.  The Cook property is currently 6.1 acres.

Some of the significant dates for the property are:  1970s – The City of Lake Oswego buys property from John Emery, creating “Cook Butte Park”; 1990s – The farm was designated as a Clackamas County Historic landmark; the original farmhouse was renovated; and, Pinot Gris and Marchael Foch Vineyards were planted and established an historic link to the agricultural past; 2000 – Property was designated as a “Century Farm” by Century Farm & Ranch Program; 2008 – Shipley-Cook Farmstead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and, 2008 – An Excellence in Stewardship Award-Clackamas Heritage Tree Program was received.

The farm has been a family treasure for 108 years.  Four generations of Cooks have lived on the property and continue to strive to keep the “legacy” and rich traditions of the early Hazelia and Oswego area of Clackamas County alive.  As stewards of this “jewel” we take great pride in trying to preserve, improve and protect one of the oldest “treasures” in the state.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.