Poor Farm Cabin

I have been fascinated by the old log cabin that used to stand on the Jackson County Poor Farm property (now the ESD building on highway 99 between Phoenix and Talent, Oregon.) The cabin was apparently the only remaining structure from the Ammerman Stage Stop in that location when the Poor Farm was built in 1907.  

         A fascinating description of the cabin is found in the W.P.A. files from Jackson County which I quote from and summarize here:

…”The cabin was 20 feet square including 4-foot porch on the east side. One story about 7 ½ feet high and loft above reached by ladder used for sleeping quarters in early days. Brick chimney outside at south end for fireplace (not used). Lathed and plastered inside now covered with wall board.”

The hand-hewed cabin “was used as a dining room during the time that the place was a stage station, the first south of Jacksonville. “

According to this historic building survey done in 1936-1937 the cabin was still in fair condition and occupied by James Boyd at the Poor Farm. 

The property on which it stood was first deeded to Nelson D. Smith on Donation Land Claim #59. Later it was owned by Henry Ammerman, and then James Harvey. It was purchased in 1907 by Jackson County from M.V. Brocker [or Crocker] for the purpose of building a county poor farm. 

Source: Jackson County Oregon Survey of State and Local Historical Records: 1936-1937 p. 31 obtained at the University of Oregon, Knight Library Special Collections, Eugene,Oregon  

call # 

979.527

W67

1937

The cabin behind the main Poor Farm buildings that was once a part of the Ammerman Stage Stop (torn down some time ago.) From the WPA description - this is the East side of the building where the porch extends out 4 feet. The Window under the eves may be the entrance to the loft sleeping quarters.