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neck of the woods | history

HANLEY FARM

A Living Agricultural Museum

by pamela r. gibson

by mary wilkinskelly

t was once said that “history is not a burden on the memory but an
illumination of the soul.” As one of the oldest preserved farms in
the region, Hanley Farm may offer such insight. Located just over
Itwo miles outside of Jacksonville, this hospitable 1850’s property
provides a peek into our historical past.

Listed on the Registry of Historic Places, the white two-story farm-
house stands as a testament of time and features a classic gothic revival
architecture and a gabled roof. The charming front porch is welcoming
with built-in bench seating and adorned by decorated railings with flat
arched lintels. The numerous old windows with slightly buckled panes
grace the home and add much curiosity about the residents who once
looked out. The many trees, plants, and gardens on the grounds con-
tinue to thrive knowing that they were once planted with passion and
care. A rustic old barn built in 1910 is positioned close to the Hanley
house, while a barn built in the 1850s is located on the west side of the
property. Hanley farm’s history creates a unique living museum for the
community with its numerous buildings that hold many stories about
the life of a pioneer.

The story of the farm began with Michael Hanley, a pioneer who was
drawn to the West Coast by the gold rush of 1850 where he met his
wife, Martha. They purchased the 636-acre Clinton-Welton donation
land claim in 1857, which was later named The Willows because of the
prominent willow tree planted on the property in honor of one of the
Hanley children. They continued to develop and improve the farmstead
by planting wheat, oats, corn, and alfalfa while raising cattle, mules,
sheep, hogs, and horses.

The Hanley’s also built a number of structures on the property that
remain intact and well-preserved today. The spring house is one such
building that is an example of earlier times. The solid stone structure
was constructed shortly after the purchase of the property as a neces-
sary means to protect the water source after the nearby artesian well
dried up. It also provided a cool, dry storage area for root crops.

Over the course of a hundred years, the farmstead expanded to include
ten structures—from the old barn built in 1854 to the caretaker’s
house built in 1950. The old barn was originally located on the front
side of the property and later moved board by board to its present

56 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2020