McLoughlin Memorial Association
The William L. Holmes House
(1847 Rose Farm)
Holmes House Museum at the Rose Farm
536 Holmes Lane
Oregon City, OR 97045
P.O. Box 3261 Oregon City, OR 97045
mcloughlinmemorial@gmail.com
Directions:
The Rose Farm is located 536 Holmes Lane, at the corner of Holmes Lane & Rilance Lane in Oregon City. To reach Holmes Lane, travel north approximately seven blocks from Warner Milne Rd. on either Molalla or Linn Ave.
For scheduled tours and Special Openings or for further information, please email McLoughlinMemorial@gmail.com.
William and Louisa Holmes were pioneers who joined the ‘great migration‘ in 1843. More than 900 souls traveled the trail west that year. The Holmes family settled on a 640-acre land claim at the south edge of Oregon City. They lived in a log cabin with a view of Mt. Hood (42 miles east). Water came from a nearby spring, probably the source of Singer Creek, which empties into the Willamette River after cascading down the bluff near Main Street in Oregon City.
Their home, completed in 1847, is the oldest American home in Oregon City and was the scene of early government meetings and many social events. The first territorial governor, Joseph Lane, gave his 1849 inaugural address from the balcony of the Rose Farm, and the celebrants gathered on the lawn below.
The claim was nicknamed the ‘Rose Farm’ by friends and neighbors because of the many roses Louisa planted in the garden.
2022 Holmes House Events
Open Houses: Saturdays 12 Noon to 4 pm
April
19 - The Story of the William L. Holmes House.
May
14 - Founders Month - National Historic Preservation Month - Focus on Ruth McBride Powers.
June
11 - Living History: Conversations with people of the time period.
July
9 - The Holmes Family and the Oregon Trail.
August
13 - Neighborhood yard sale(No tour).
At the beginning of March, MMA Executive Board member, Cheryl Rice, and her family volunteered their time at the Holmes House to split wood from a tree which was felled adjacent to the house. We appreciate her family donating their time to assist our organization.
The McLoughlin Memorial Association © 2014
713 Center Street Oregon City, OR 97045 USA
P.O. Box 3261 Oregon City, OR 97045
McLoughlinMemorial@gmail.com