An iconic 19th-century home in Washington County, known as the Wilkes House and one of the area’s rare surviving Oregon Trail homes, has been demolished just days before its future was to be discussed at a city council meeting. The demolition was carried out to make way for a new water treatment plant in support of a residential and commercial development project. Preservationists had fought to save the historic structure, but developers took advantage of the long holiday weekend to tear down the house.
The 154-year-old Wilkes House, built by the first European American settlers in the Banks area, was considered a significant piece of Oregon Trail pioneer heritage. Efforts to relocate the house or repurpose it as a museum or cultural center were unsuccessful, despite community outcry and fundraising campaigns.
While the property owners offered to give the farmhouse to the historical society for relocation, the demolition proceeded swiftly, causing sorrow and anger among those who cherished the home’s historical significance. The Banks City Council, which was set to discuss the fate of the Wilkes House at a meeting, expressed disappointment over the situation.
The demolition of the Wilkes House has been viewed as a significant loss to Oregon’s heritage, with many lamenting the missed opportunity for collaboration and preservation efforts. The destruction of the house, which stood for more than 150 years, occurred in a matter of hours, leaving a gaping hole in the community’s historical landscape.
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