Self-Guided Tours
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.
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Historical Tour | Nature Tour
A Few Guidelines
We are glad that you want to visit and
hope that you enjoy your walk through this 250-acre historic site and natural
area. Because we want to preserve the historic and natural importance of
the Ranch, we ask that all visitors please respect the following:
• There is
no hunting of any kind allowed on the Ranch—this includes trapping
and fishing.
• Dogs are allowed on the Ranch, when leashed.
• Alcohol is not permitted on Ranch
property without prior written approval.
• Bicycles may be parked in the bike rack
or locked next to the entrance.
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Self-Guided Historical Tour of Dorris Ranch
Stop #1: Kiosk
This information kiosk was built in 1993 by University of Oregon students
in the architecture department's Design/Build class. The remnants from
the dairy barn can still be seen here.
Stop #2: Barn
Dorris Ranch is recognized as the first commercial filbert orchard in the
United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Both the Entrance Barn and adjacent White Barn were restored through a
grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. Originally used to store machinery,
the Entrance Barn serves as a gathering place for public programs and the
White Barn is now a public, composting restroom. The tour continues down
the road and around the entrance gate.
Stop #3: Road Orchard
George and Lulu Dorris purchased the property (then 277 acres) in 1892 for
$4,000. Approximately 22 acres were later sold to adjacent landowners.
George was a graduate of the U of O Law School and had practiced law in
Astoria before beginning his venture into agriculture. He originally experimented
with a variety of crops before settling on filberts. Peaches, cherries,
grapes, walnuts, asparagus, artichokes, and hops are all a part of the
agricultural history of the Ranch.
Stop #4: Nursery Orchard
Each of the 11 separate orchards was named in order to help hired hands know
where to work each day. The Nursery Orchard was the location of the Dorris
Ranch Nursery, which operated for 40 years. In 1925, George's nephew, Ben
Dorris, came to work on the Ranch. Together, they developed the “tipped” method
of propagation. This method produced a single-trunk, multi-branched tree
requiring a minimum of pruning. While in operation, the nursery produced
an average of 70,000 trees annually. More than half of all the commercial
filbert trees now growing in the U.S. originated from Dorris Ranch nursery
stock.
Stop #5: Cannery Orchard
The approximate age of each orchard may be determined by looking at the spacing
between trees. In the earliest orchards (planted beginning in 1903) the
trees are planted very close together. As the years went by, spacing between
the trees became greater. Dorris Ranch has a total of 9,250 filbert trees
planted in 75 acres. This orchard was planted on the site of an asparagus
cannery. When the cannery was torn down, the wood was used to build the
Entrance Barn.
Stop #6: Trading Post
The original house on this property was built in the 1880s by the Thurston
family and is believed to have been located somewhere in this area. It
was torn down circa 1930-1940, long after the Dorrises built their new
house. Today, this area is the site of many interpretive activities and
special events. The Trading Post (formerly The Pump House) itself was the
primary water source for the Dorris family.
Stop #7: Clump Orchard
Most of the trees in the Dorris Ranch orchards are of the Barcelona variety.
Because the Barcelona is self-sterile, other varieties—the DuChilly
and the Daviana—are planted as pollinators every third tree in every
third row. Pollination takes place in February. The long catkins release
their pollen to land on the small, dark-red flowers. The nut develops from
this fertilized seed. Fall is harvest time at Dorris Ranch. Beginning in
October, the open meadow across from this orchard is full of harvesting
equipment and large nut boxes. While early harvesting was done by hand,
today's harvesting is done almost entirely by machine. Filberts are considered
a "self-husking" nut. The husk falls off when the filbert drops
from the tree. Machines can then pick up the filberts and take them directly
to the drying machines. A local orchardist maintains the Dorris Ranch orchards.
Stop #8: Cutoff to Goat Orchard
In the 1920s, George and Ben Dorris excavated a stream channel to divert
water from the Willamette River through the property for flood control
and irrigation. Ben Dorris, his wife Kay, and their children moved to the
Ranch in 1936 after Lulu died and George moved back to Eugene. In 1940,
Ben built a 97-foot-long, 6-foot-deep swimming pool where the diversion
channel passed in front of the house. Sand was brought in to make a small
beach near the pool.
Stop #9: Wildlife Sanctuary
Dorris Ranch history goes back much further than the Dorris family. The Kalapuya,
a semi-nomadic Native American Indian tribe, thrived in this area for at
least 2000 years. They lived in the Willamette Valley during winter months
and moved to the mountains as the weather changed. The Winnefilly band
(one of about 20 different bands with their own territory and dialect)
inhabited the Dorris Ranch area.
Stop #10: River Overview
You are standing at the confluence (or meeting) of the Middle and Coast forks
of the Willamette River. The Kalapuya followed the salmon and eel run upstream.
They established special camps in the mountains to pick Ollalie huckleberries.
The berry camps were established with other Kalapuya bands. They used this
gathering time to socialize, gamble, and arrange marriages since the Kalapuya
were not allowed to marry within their own band. Most of the Kalapuya people
were decimated when European explorers brought influenza into the area.
Stop #11: Beaver Watch
Another group that forms the history of Dorris Ranch is the fur traders.
Fur trading was important to the development of the Northwest. John McLaughlin
was head of the Hudson’s Bay Company for many years. His stepson,
Thomas McKay, explored and trapped in this area. Trapping was done during
spring and fall. Active trading came during the summer “rendezvous” in
which trappers, Native Americans, and Company agents would gather to barter
money and goods for beaver pelts. The beaver still live in the marsh area
near here. Look for evidence of them as you walk along this stretch of
the trail.
Stop #12: Forest Back to Orchards
In 1972, Dorris Ranch was acquired by Willamalane Park and Recreation District
through state and federal grant money and a generous donation from Ben
and Kay Dorris. Some of the buildings at Dorris Ranch are available for
rental and can be used for special events. If you would like more information
about Dorris Ranch rentals call (541) 736-4544.
Stop #13: Bigleaf Maple Tree
Programs at Dorris Ranch are made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers at Dorris Ranch perform a wide variety of important tasks including
special events and children’s programs. Thank you for visiting Dorris
Ranch. Enjoy a leisurely walk back to the Barn and please come again soon.
QUICK LINKS
Historical Tour | Nature Tour | Top
of Page
SELF-GUIDED NATURE TOUR
Stop #1: Barn
A nature tour of Dorris Ranch is a journey through different ecosystems,
each with its unique characteristics, flora, and fauna. From chatty birds
to towering Douglas firs, there is much to see and appreciate in our natural
world. This tour is designed to give you a little information on what lives
in each area of the Ranch. This is by no means a comprehensive field guide
to all that is living here!
Stop #2: Nursery Orchard
From here, you can witness a bit of agricultural history. The tall trees
planted in a row are black walnut (Juglans nigra), planted by the Dorris
family. Given room, they can attain a height of 150 feet. The meat of the
black walnut is used to flavor ice cream and candy. Black walnut trees
are often used as grafting stock in the establishment of English walnut
(J. regia) orchards.
Stop #3: Cannery Orchard
This orchard was planted in the 1950s. The filbert leaf has a distinctive
wrinkled appearance and a "fuzzy" feel. In winter, the tree bears
long male catkins that shed pollen. Female flowers are very small red whiskers
sticking out from a bud. Wind pollination takes place between December
and March.
Stop 4: Trading Post
The evergreen trees in this area are Incense cedar (Libocedrus decurrens).
One distinct feature of this tree is its shape. The top is more rounded
than pointed, giving the tree an overall rectangular look when viewing
it from a distance. Incense-cedar cones are also very different from other
cedars. When open, these small cones look like a duck's bill. Incense-cedar
is the leading wood for the manufacture of pencils because it is soft,
but not splintery. A nesting box has been placed in this area for the black-capped
chickadee (Parus atricapillus). This friendly bird is common in this area
of the Ranch. Listen for its characteristic call: "chick-a-dee-dee-dee." Feel
free to stop in this area for a picnic or rest before continuing on the
path.
Stop 5: Cutoff to Goat Orchard
This area is host to a variety of plants, flowers, and birds depending on
what time of year you visit.
SPRING/SUMMER Looking on the ground, you may see small pink flowers called "bleeding-heart" (Dicentra formosa) aptly named for its heart shape. Look up, you may see licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) growing from the moss on the trees. The flavor of the fern’s roots give it its name. Many early people at Dorris Ranch from the Kalapuyas to the pioneers used this fern for flavoring food.
FALL/WINTER Rainfall brings a wide variety of birds to this area. Walk down the path a little and listen—you may be treated to the chirping of a song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) or the tapping of a hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus).
Stop #6: Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
As both the common and scientific names suggest, this tree’s main distinctive
feature is its large leaves which are usually 6-10 inches in diameter, but
can grow up to 15 inches on occasion. The bigleaf maple (also known as Oregon
maple) prefers moist soil in valleys and foothills where it can spread out.
When in a forest, this same tree develops a long, clear trunk. Seeds of maple
trees are attached in pairs called "keys." Their characteristic
shape definitely makes them a key to identifying a maple.
Stop #7: Wildlife Sanctuary
As orchards give way to forest, notice the increase in ground cover. Shrubs,
wildflowers, and ferns coat the forest floor. Year-round, look for horsetail
(Equisetum hyemale). The tall, reed-like plant was a useful tool to early
settlers. The plant’s high silica content, combined with its rough
surface, made it ideal for cleaning. Another name for this plant is "scouring
rush."
Stop #8: River Overlook
Here at the confluence of the Middle and Coast forks of the Willamette River,
there is activity year-round. Birds such as the great blue heron (Ardea
herodias) and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) make their homes nearby. The osprey
is called the "fish eagle" in many countries because, unlike
other birds of prey that feed on small mammals and birds, it feeds entirely
on fish. It catches fish by hovering, then plunging, talons-first, into
the water. In early summer, look for the bright yellow flowers of Scotch
broom (Cytisus scoparius).
Stop #9: Beaver Watch
As you walk along this riparian (river) trail, look toward the river for
signs of beaver (Castor canadensis) activity. Not all beavers build characteristic
dams. Many will make their homes in the muddy banks. Beavers rely on bark
and soft woods as a source of food, water, and convenient "files" for
their ever-growing front teeth. Look for chewed bark and pointed stumps
to tell you a beaver has been here.
Stop #10: Riparian to Forest
Watch closely for a change in scenery as the trail curves away from the river
and back into the forest. You should notice an increase in conifers (evergreens)
which will bring more shade and cause the overhead canopy to enclose the
trail. Even the smell of the forest is different. Along this part of the
trail, look for sword ferns (Polystichum munitum), so named because the
shape of an individual leaf resembles a sword. In the spring, the curly
tops of the new fern are called "fiddleheads." Fiddleheads are
edible and are considered a delicacy for salads or as a separate dish.
Once the fiddlehead has unfurled, it is no longer edible. This is also
a great time to listen to the symphony of sound from the forest bird population.
Stop #11: Exit Forest, Enter Orchard
As you reenter the orchard environment, look for members of our animal population.
You may catch a glimpse of a black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)
or hear the chatter of the Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus). If
you look closely, you'll also discover many dirt mounds—evidence
of moles?
QUICK LINKS
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