The last genuinely historic farmhouse in the North Hillsboro Industrial District is for sale, and its future may depend on you!  Infamous banker John Shute had little to nothing to offer the world when he planted himself in the fertile farmlands of the Tualatin Plains, where all of the settlement of the NW would begin.  Shute, the first banker in Washington County, found an eligible young woman in Lizzie Constable.  Her parents had settled a 600+ acre land claim here in the early 1840s before the Oregon Trail opened and Shute saw stars and a future.  Her parents were Edward and Brasilla Constable, and when Shute successfully courted and proposed to their daughter in 1888, they gave the couple a beautiful 80-acre parcel.    By 1890, the Couple had built a beautiful Queen Anne style T-shaped farmhouse that was quickly the hub for activity on the East Tualatin Plains.

Here is an awesome overlay map showing us the original Constable Claim and the roads as they exist today.  Look familiar?

Don’t recognize it?  Well, maybe this will help!

Now, in the interest of time, and lest I break into a historical tale you would never believe, let me tell you where things are at today, what the opportunity is, and what you can do to help!

• The Shutes stayed a few years before moving on- John went on to control most of the financial deals and real estate matters in Washington County for decades.
• Lizzie ended up in the Mad House- literally!
• The Meirjurgen Family bought the farm in 1904 and stayed for over 40 years, overseeing the property and adding some structures and the famous red barn.
• Others owned the place, but the stewards for the last 60-plus years have been Raymond and Carol Haag and their children.   Ray was a popular teacher here in the valley and cofounded the Outdoor School programs from which many of us benefitted. Carol was a homemaker and had a very successful garden and flower stand known lovingly as Country Gardens.  The family had the quiet countryside of the East Tualatin Plains, some good neighbors, and countless memories until recent years when two things happened.
  • The City of Hillsboro rezoned this area from prime farmland to future development when Genentech needed a home. Ray and Carol trusted the process and hoped for the best. The kids went on into the world, and Ray and Carol did their best to enjoy retirement and the farm.
  • A few short years ago, both Ray and Carol died.  In the end, Ray told me he wanted to save the Shute-Meierjurgn Home and Barn if possible and to save the old Methodist Meeting House and Graveyard site across the street.  Just before he died, a group of us history nuts successfully fought to place the now gorgeous marker for the Methodist Meeting House, which Ray had fought to save for years.  That was another great historical site, and the monument stands today- Ray died a happy man, having received that wish.  We need your help to make wish #2 come true.

SO YOU ARE INVITED!!!

Two of the Haag children and their spouses bought the farm from their parent’s estate to save it.  Their plans for an Inn, a pub, and an event space became very difficult to finance.  Now surrounded by Data Centers, a traditional mortgage is not available.  The City does not want to buy the property – will not, despite buying out dozens of other “rezoned farms” to the tune of almost $200,000,000 now.  So the property has been listed for sale and is just an incredible option for anyone who needs a place to expand the business, wants a restaurant, can do a historical-themed eatery and inn, a music venue, a preschool, a retail facility – you name it.  The possibilities are endless, provided that about 1 acre of the 3.35 acres is preserved with the Shute House and the red barn.

Everyone is welcome. This Sunday from 3 to 6 PM, bring your friends, kids, dogs, and all your ideas and good energy. Come see the property and help us help the Haags find out what comes next!  

Here are some pictures of this beautiful home and barn which is now on the National Historic Registry and is an Oregon Cultural Resource!  Now surrounded by Millions of square feet of industrial buildings, this land and farm can become a commercial node which will allow it to provide all of those thosands of emplioyees with food, services, hospitality, and more.  That is something almost no other parcels can qualify for in this booming industrial park.

Help us to make Ray and Carol’s 2nd wish come true- to find a creative way ahead for this amazing place!

You can find out more about the property at this link or call me at 503-799-8383-  I am the listing broker and am dedicated to finding the right buyer, new use, and way to keep the Haag’s dream alive.  That means finding the best new use and path forward in which the home and barn live on well into the future!

Thanks, everyone!

Dirk