Dorris Ranch

George and Lulu Dorris bought 277 acres of land along the Willamette River in 1892. After experimenting with crops of peaches, cherries, grapes, walnuts, asparagus and hops they discovered filberts. George, along with his nephew Ben, developed advanced methods for growing hazelnuts.

Each year they produced more than 70,000 trees in their nursery. Over half of the filberts growing today in the U.S. come from the Dorris Ranch. George was a founding member of the Eugene Fruit Growers Association.

In 1972 Ben and Kay Dorris sold the ranch to Willamalane Parks and Recreation District. It continues as a fully productive filbert orchard producing 50 tons of filberts each year.

Several buildings on the ranch have been renovated for rentals for families and business functions. Students can also take field trips to Dorris Ranch to learn about history first hand. The Dorris’ House is currently being used as the residence of the ranch caretaker. Orchards and a natural swimming area surround it. The Dorris’ diverted water from the Willamette to create a pool where they often entertained. Some of the swimmers may have worn a swimsuit like this one.