[Note: All the photographs below, as well as the underlined
names, are linked to larger versions of the photo as
well as other images of the building or site involved.]

The Historic Luscher Property

Only 23 acres of the 47.71 Luscher Farm were designated as an historic by Clackamas County in 1995. These 23 acres include the barn, farmhouse, garage/bunk house, workshop, chicken coop, and pump house, although not all of these structures qualify as historically significant and therefore not all have to be preserved. A badly deteriorated hog house west of the barn was demolished in 2000. The historic area also includes garden and fruit tree acreage.

Built at the turn of the century, the Barn is two and a half stories, with a gambrel roof over the main portion and several additions.  The barn was in fair condition before its roof, foundation, and primary timbers were replaced or repaired in the spring of 1999. Further repairs necessary to preserve the structure as an animal and hay barn would include repair of doors and windows, and patching and repair of siding.

The most notable addition to the main structure of the barn was a milking shed on the east side. Another metal shed at the rear of the barn, used mainly as a shelter for cattle in poor weather, was in very poor condition and, since it was not particularly historic, was torn down in 1998.

The "Queen Anne" farmhouse, also dating from the turn of the century, stands at the head of the driveway to the south of the barn and is a modest example of the style. Some additions to it do not endanger the building's historic value. The structure is in good condition and required only minor work to maintain its use as a residence for a caretaker, and facility for small classes. Original wood siding has been replaced or covered by composition shingles.

The Garage/Bunk House dates from the mid century and is in fair to good condition. It stands on the east side of the driveway between the farmhouse and the barn. If used only for storage and not for public use, it would require only routine maintenance. It is not a historic structure. The caretaker residence is also located on the upper floor.

The Chicken Coop between the barn, hog house, and farmhouse is in fair condition but needs work to stabilize it. It could use the same variety of improvements as the workshop but is too small for public use.

A simple, gable-roofed Workshop just west of the barn was built in the 1940s and was in very poor condition. It needed roofing, patching and repairing of siding, possible foundation improvements, and paint or stain, so it was torn down. The turn-of-the-century Pump House is in good condition and would require only minimal work such as painting and spot repair to survive. It is part of the historic grouping of structures and is used as storage for the senior community gardens.

On the west side of the farmhouse and to the north -- between the house and the other buildings -- are the backyard and a series of garden beds and fruit trees.  Members of the Lake Oswego community who use plots for gardening and the Luscher Farm Garden Club maintain the garden beds around the farmhouse.

The Farr Property

Standing at the north end of the Luscher complex, and facing on Bergis Road, the Farr property includes a house, a guest house, and a small barn.  The City of Lake Oswego currently uses the buildings for storage of records and Parks equipment.

The Taylor Property

The Taylor property is due north of the Luscher structures and roughly at the center of all the concerned properties.  A small barn appears structurally sound and may be used for storing maintenance equipment.  A house and greenhouse were dismantled because they were newer buildings and not classified as historic.

Wetlands

Three wetland sites have been identified among the Luscher Farm properties.  A 2.15-acre wetland is located near the very northeast corner, a 1.66-acre wetland west of Luscher Barn, and a .16-acre wetland along the western edge of the area designated for "active recreation" -- along Stafford Road north of the Taylor Farm.

History of Luscher Farm

Oregon Tilth