Philip Foster Farm

Specialties

Explore pioneer life on the Oregon Trail, and learn about the settlers and how they lived. Build your own log cabin, grind corn, use a crosscut saw, and tour original and reproduction buildings, including an 1860’s barn, 1883 farmhouse, and 1847 store.

Kids love the hands-​on activities, and adults appreciate the authenticity of the site. Philip Foster Farm really is Real Fun and Real History!

History

Established in 1993.

Founded in 1847 by Philip Foster for the purpose of managing the Barlow Road and providing goods and services to its travelers, the Farm was sold out of the family when his son died in 1939. Two acres (eventually expanded to 5) were purchased by benefactress Ruth Powers and opened up to visitors in 1993, for the sesquicentennial of the Oregon Trail. It is operated by the Jacknife-​Zion-​Horseheaven Historical Society, which preserves the history of the Estacada area and Barlow Road, making it accessible to guests of all ages through open hours, scheduled tours, special events, and educational programs in cooperation with the Estacada School District and Estacada Web Academy.

Meet the Manager

Elaine B.

Manager

Educational Director Elaine Butler began work at the Philip Foster Farm as a volunteer, helping to run tours for schoolchildren in 1996. She divides her time now between managing Farm staff and teaching the Trails Across Time Living History Immersion program, a fully accredited charter school that is a joint venture of the Farm and the Estacada Web Academy.