West Sound Paranormal would like to hear if you’ve had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please leave a comment below.

History:

The Multnomah County Poor Farm in Troutdale was built in 1911.  It replaced Multnomah County’s first home for the destitute, the Hillside Farm in Portland’s West Hills. Latter institution, which housed the poor, ill, and disabled, was inspected in the fall of 1910.  The crumbling building and its deplorable conditions were found to be disgraceful.

That spurred Multnomah County Commissioners to hasten work on a progressive new institution at Troutdale. It was intended to help the poor become self-sufficient through farming. This “back to the land” concept in social welfare was based on the belief that the poor could work and grow their own food.

The farm, which ultimately grew to 345 acres, was completed in a year at a cost of $100,000. It included a main lodge, outbuildings, dairy, and piggery. In November 1911, 211  residents moved in, 75 of whom were bedridden due to chronic or untreated illness. “Meat and mush” tables divided residents. Those able to work in the fields or in the institution ate meat three meals a day.  The others had meat only once a day.

Poor Farm History:

By 1914, the Poor Farm was a success on paper. It housed 302 residents and managed a herd of dairy cows, 100  hogs, 420 Plymouth Rock hens, and 225 chickens. The crops, vegetables, fruit, hay, grain, eggs. Twenty-seven acres of potatoes were shared with the county jail, a hospital, and a juvenile home. The farm’s population peaked in 1935 at 614 residents—535 men and 63 women. Soon after, President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and the job boom of World War II lured the able-bodied to leave the farm and re-enter the job market. Post-war welfare and Social Security programs dispersed the remaining residents.  Leaving behind those who were disabled or had become so accustomed to institutional life that they were unable to live independently.

The farm concept was gradually abandoned. A county jail was built on the site in 1959 largely because the land was available, had no prisoners who would toil in the fields. The dairy herd was sold in 1969 and the fields were leased. In 1964, the main lodge was renamed Edgefield and became a nursing home, the first in Oregon to offer physical rehabilitation. It served in that capacity until 1982 when the buildings were closed and all but abandoned.

Destined for demolition

By 1985, neglected and ravaged by vandals, Edgefield was declared “dilapidated beyond repair” and destined for demolition. The Troutdale Historical Society challenged the county, claiming that the buildings were historic and should be protected. Preservationists staved off demolition for nearly five years before the complex was purchased in 1990 by micro-brew pioneers Mike and Brian McMenamin.  They wanted to try their hands at the hotel business.

Edgefield, located in Troutdale is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is a destination resort with pubs, restaurants, theaters, gardens, and a golf course. The complex includes a winery, brewery and distillery, a restaurant, and a concert venue that has hosted such notables as BB King and Ringo Starr.

Reported Paranormal Activity:

Edgefield keeps a log at the front desk where patrons of the hotel can write down their supernatural experiences. A quick flip through the ghost log shows that a lot of activity happens. Mostly in room 215, the entire second floor, the third floor, and around the winery. Room 215 is the one most requested at the hotel, “because it’s had the most paranormal activity.

When McMenamins were renovating the property, there was lots of paraphernalia found on the ground. Animal bones and a pentagram that attributes to the possibility. They did have a McMenamins-style exorcism of sorts when the building was open, where they would walk through with the bagpipes, hence the artwork (on the exterior of room doors), burning incense and singing fun songs, to kind of excise any negative emotions or spirits,” McMenamins Don’t use it to draw people in but they kinda have fun with it. They try and focus on the historical side more so than the speculative side.”

Our Paranormal Investigation:

During our investigation we reserved rooms 215, 314, and 315. 

Our report will be coming soon.