Facility Info & Rentals

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals

For those who truly enjoy the experience of seeing history and nature firsthand.

There is no substitute for the excitement of visiting an actual historical place—to feel, touch, smell, and even taste the products of this bountiful land. Dorris Ranch, Springfield’s unique living history farm, has succeeded in bringing Oregon history to life. Established in 1892, this 250-acre farm is Oregon’s oldest working filbert (hazelnut) farm.

Dorris Ranch is recognized as the first commercial filbert orchard in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oregon's history with filberts started in 1892 when George Dorris and his wife Lulu bought 250 acres of fertile land along the Willamette River and dedicated their lives to farming. After experimenting with a variety of crops, George established the first commercial filbert nut orchard in the United States. Over the next 50 years the Dorris family planted 9,200 trees at the Ranch and harvested more than 50 tons of nuts each year.

Now, more than 100 years later, Dorris Ranch continues to make history as a fully-productive commercial filbert orchard. More than half of all the commercial filbert trees now growing in the U.S. originated from Dorris Ranch nursery stock.

Owned by the Willamalane Park and Recreation District, this 250-acre farm operates as a nonprofit organization.

Dorris Ranch is open to the public weekdays and weekends from 6 a.m. till dusk for self-guided tours.

Dorris Ranch is host to a variety of plants, flowers, and birds. Come for a visit and enjoy a walk through this 250-acre historic site and natural area at your own pace with one of our self-guided tours. Brochures with all the interesting facts, historical sites, and a map of area paths are available at the entrance kiosk.

Dorris Ranch is also hosts special events, Trail Talks, school tours, an heirloom garden, a homestead cabin, as well as it's famous filbert orchards.

 

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals | Top of Page

Driving Directions

South A and Dorris Streets, Springfield, Oregon
From Pioneer Parkway West in Springfield, go south past Main Street and South A Street. Pioneer Parkway West becomes South Second Street. Continue south to the intersection with Dorris Street. Go straight ahead on the gravel road to the Ranch.

 

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals | Top of Page

Contact Information

Main Office
541-736-4544
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Program Manager: Lori Warner
Living History Guide: Scott Dano

Mailing address
250 South 32nd Street, Springfield, Oregon, 97478

E-mail address
Scottd@willamalane.org

 

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals | Top of Page

Become a Friend

You can help preserve an important part of Oregon's past. Become a friend of Dorris Ranch and support ongoing farm restoration, operations, and activities by giving your time or money. Call 736-4544 to find out how.

 

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals | Top of Page

Dorris Ranch Rentals

• Weddings
• Receptions
• Reunions
• Dances
• Birthdays
• Meetings
• Retreats
• Conferences

A great location makes for a great event!

Convenient yet secluded facilities and picnic areas. Ideal for business or pleasure.

Rental Hours
7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday thru Sunday. Call (541) 736-4544 to make a reservation or to get more information.

Tomseth House

40 Guests Inside and 40 Outdoors

The quaint setting makes the Tomseth House the ideal place to hold events from weddings to business meetings. The main rooms can accommodate up to 40 people in the lovely atmosphere of this renovated turn-of-the-century home. The Tomseth House is equipped with accessories to make any event a success. A kitchen with oven, microwave, four-burner range, freezer, and refrigerator make it easy to handle food preparation. The exterior is as inviting as the interior, with the front porch overlooking 250 acres of filbert orchards and a nature preserve. You won’t believe that you're only two miles from the center of Springfield!

Dorris Ranch Barn

60 Guests Inside and 90 Outdoors

Surrounded by open pastures and filbert orchard groves, the Dorris Ranch Barn is part of a historic farm right inside the city! The rustic setting and spacious natural grounds make the Dorris Ranch Barn perfect for family celebrations or business gatherings. The Barn can accommodate up to 60 guests. The outdoor area behind the barn accommodates up to 90 more people. The renovated 1892 barn retains all the charm of its historic origins while providing modern conveniences such as electrical outlets, water, benches, and tables.

Trading Post and Orchard Picnic Area

May 1-September 30; 300 Guests Outdoors

The pristine natural setting makes the Dorris Ranch Trading Post and Orchard Picnic Area the perfect place to hold events from company picnics to weddings. Nature is preserved for you and up to 300 of your guests to enjoy. Horseshoe pits, picnic tables and benches, water, indoor storage, and outdoor rest rooms are available for your convenience.

Amenities

Tables and chairs may be included with facility rental. Additional equipment and services, such as canopies and parking attendants, can be provided for an extra charge. All rental facilities are wheelchair accessible. No smoking is permitted indoors. Alcohol is allowed during rentals only with prior written approval. Please inquire for more information regarding this policy.

Rates

Commercial/Private
$100 per hour weekdays . . . $125 per hour weekends

Nonprofit
$50 per hour weekdays . . . $75 per hour weekends

All 3 facilities
$300 per hour weekdays . . . $300 per hour weekends

Extras
Gazebo . . . $25
Canopies (10x10). . . $35/each . . . (20x20) . . .$150/each

Tables . . . $6/each
Chairs . . . .$1/each

 

Please call to confirm that pricing information is current.
Call (541) 736-4544 or e-mail angelas@willamlane.org to make a reservation or to get more information.

 

QUICK LINKS
Directions | Contact | Friends | Rentals | Top of Page

 

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter

HELP PROTECT THIS OASIS OF NATURE

One of the ways we can protect the natural qualities of our parks is to lessen our impact.

Stay on the trails.
This keeps trampling to a minimum and reduces human disturbance of wildlife.

Pack it out.
Litter shows disrespect and damages plant and wildlife habitat.

Leave it in.
Each plant, animal, and rock has its value in nature. Please don't pick, catch, remove, or collect natural items.

Keep pets leashed on trails.
Pets can disturb and harm wildlife—and sometimes other park visitors, too!

Ride bicycles only on designated paths.
Bicycles are allowed only on designated paved paths.

THE FOLLOWING IS PROHIBITED

Unleashed dogs

Hunting

Firearms, fireworks, weapons.

Alcohol

Illegal drugs

Glass containers

Sound-amplifying devices

Open fires

Camping

Motorized vehicles, except in designated parking areas

Horseback riding

Any activity which damages park property.