I have just uncovered an ancestor who died at the Multnomah County Farm in 1928. He was an old man (88 yrs) and apparently senile at the time. My question: was this county farm a poorhouse for the indigent? Was it a public old folk's home? Incidentally, the man's name was ISAAC WILEY. He was born in Maine and came west in the 1880s. Does anyone have any info on him? Thanks Phil Noss

Edgefield, built in 1911, served for several decades as the Multnomah County Poor Farm. Residents operated a self-sufficient environment, raising hogs, poultry, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, operating a dairy, cannery and meat packing plant as well as working in the laundry, kitchen and hospital. In 1947, it was renamed the Multnomah County Home and Farm and in the late fifties the farm operation was eliminated. In 1962, the facitity was renamed Edgefield Manor and for the last two decades of operation, functioned as a nursing home and eventually closed in 1982. I believe that people who could not support themselves were sent there. Multnomah County Archives has records of the farm and will copy and send to you on request. Photos of the farm are available for viewing at: http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edge/history.html Linda