Oregon Is Home To The Oldest Commercial Hazelnut Orchard In America, And It’s A Historic Treasure

We recently wrote about Oregon's iconic marionberry, but there's another crop that residents of the Beaver State also love. Did you know that our state is home to the country's oldest commercial hazelnut (a.k.a. filbert) orchard? This historic treasure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it offers a dose of nostalgia as well as some recreation opportunities.

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Welcome to Dorris Ranch! This 250-acre ranch is a working hazelnut orchard, and you'll find it in Springfield.

The orchard was founded by George and Lulu Dorris in 1892. They tried growing several different crops, and eventually decided on hazelnuts. The orchards were planted in 1903, and throughout the years, the family planted 9,200 trees.

Hazelnuts (a.k.a. filberts) are a self-husking nut that are harvested in the fall, and they're delicious in all kinds of candy and baked goods. They're also delicious to eat all by themselves.

Dorris Ranch has 11 different orchards, and each has its own name. The orchards still produce 99% of the country's hazelnuts.

Students who visit Dorris Ranch for field trips every spring and fall are immersed in the history of this place.

The Living History Village takes students on a tour of the ranch, and docents dressed up in 19th-century costumes tell them what it was like to live and work on Dorris Ranch in its early days.

In addition to seeing the orchards, visitors will enjoy the recreation on the ranch.

There's a beautiful natural area, and a gravel path that takes you 4.5 miles along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.

Dorris Ranch has restrooms, a picnic area, and plenty of historic charm. It's open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, and is free to visit.

Have you visited Dorris Ranch? We'd love to read about your visit in the comments!

Learn more on the Willamette Park and Recreation website, and visit the ranch's Facebook page to see the latest events and news.