Baker Cabin Historic Site
Baker Cabin Historic Site
Baker Cabin Historic Site
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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half-Brit
Oregon Coast49,572 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
There is a wooden cabin as well as a pretty church at this location, which actually is about 6 miles NE of Oregon City. The drive there is very pleasant, as the road follows the Clackamas River.
The Pioneer church is the quintessential "little white church in the woods". It was built in 1894, moved here in the 1960's and is very charming. It's locked of course, and we couldn't see inside, but there are some brochures about it next to the front door.
The cabin was of more interest to us. It was built in 1856 and is the only example of 'cantilevered' construction remaining in Oregon. It's not a 'log' cabin, since it was built out of hand-hewn timbers, squared off. Over the years after it was abandoned it fell on rough times, and some of it has been rebuilt to replace rotted timbers, but the basic cabin is the same as it was 150 years ago. It's kept closed but you can contact the historical society for tours.
Another item I found quite interesting was a lilac bush. It grows right near the cabin and was grown from cuttings that came around Cape Horn in the 1830's!
Also on the property is a small barn that holds a 'mud wagon', which is a small stagecoach designed to move more easily in muddy conditions. I think the sign said it was from the 1860's and although it's a bit hard to see, it has been beautifully restored. There is an old butter churn, the site of the old well, and you can just make out the old road that went down to the creek crossing.
There are several informational signs on the property to describe the buildings and artifacts.
There is a small paved parking lot here, with room for small motorhomes but not trailers. No toilets.
If you have an interest in Oregon history, it's worth taking a short drive from the city.
The Pioneer church is the quintessential "little white church in the woods". It was built in 1894, moved here in the 1960's and is very charming. It's locked of course, and we couldn't see inside, but there are some brochures about it next to the front door.
The cabin was of more interest to us. It was built in 1856 and is the only example of 'cantilevered' construction remaining in Oregon. It's not a 'log' cabin, since it was built out of hand-hewn timbers, squared off. Over the years after it was abandoned it fell on rough times, and some of it has been rebuilt to replace rotted timbers, but the basic cabin is the same as it was 150 years ago. It's kept closed but you can contact the historical society for tours.
Another item I found quite interesting was a lilac bush. It grows right near the cabin and was grown from cuttings that came around Cape Horn in the 1830's!
Also on the property is a small barn that holds a 'mud wagon', which is a small stagecoach designed to move more easily in muddy conditions. I think the sign said it was from the 1860's and although it's a bit hard to see, it has been beautifully restored. There is an old butter churn, the site of the old well, and you can just make out the old road that went down to the creek crossing.
There are several informational signs on the property to describe the buildings and artifacts.
There is a small paved parking lot here, with room for small motorhomes but not trailers. No toilets.
If you have an interest in Oregon history, it's worth taking a short drive from the city.
Written 20 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth W
Milwaukie5 contributions
Aug 2011 • Family
The history is wonderful and it is very small old church. It has been moved to this sight but that is ok
Written 16 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
Oregon City, OR5 contributions
Aug 2015
I loved looking at the historical photographs and reading about the lives of people at that time. It makes you realize how different life was then, the struggles people had and the courage it took to surmount great difficulties. How fascinating to learn about the everyday lives of people in that period. The letters they wrote were also very interesting and described in great detail daily life. It would be wonderful to be a time traveler and be able to return to pioneer life for a few days.
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
44 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Baker Cabin is a great place to visit to learn about the history of early Oregon settlers. The Baker Cabin is an early 2 story cabin. There are also activities that occur there throughout the year, celebrating the history of the area.
Written 7 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gcavener
Oregon City, OR89 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
It is beautiful and pristine and in a lush and gorgeous site. A great place for a wedding. This is an important place in Oregon history.
Written 9 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthwestParent
Portland, OR77 contributions
Jun 2017
Baker's Cabin is located very close to the town of Carver, but it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The best way to find it is to keep your eye open for the white church on Hattan Road. Park at the church and the cabin is just a short walk to the North of the church.
The entire site is run by an all-volunteer group called the Baker Cabin Historical Society. For the most part, the site is unmanned, but there are a number of large panels which give detailed descriptions of everything. If you're a real history buff, and looking to ask detailed questions, I recommend trying to call someone to find out when volunteers will be on site to answer those questions. I believe you can also get guided tours of the property by appointment, but I'm not entirely sure who the proper contact is. I'm sure a Google search would turn something up.
The property itself is beautiful... a 1.5 acre clearing surrounded by trees. You'll find the church, the cabin, and a barn on site. The cabin is one of the oldest log structures in the state and is the only known log cabin with a cantilever supported loft and exterior stairway. The church (commonly referred to as "The Pioneer Church") was moved to the site in 1967 from nearby (Springwater).
Getting back to the cabin... it is a rather unique design and not what you might expect from an old pioneer cabin. Several panels around the cabin talk about Horace and Jane Baker and the struggles they endured. Definitely take time to read the panels as they will give you a true appreciation for what life must have been like back then.
If you have a phone there is a "TeleTales" phone number you can call to hear the story about the Bakers and their trip to Oregon and what life was like on the site. The call is free.
The entire site is run by an all-volunteer group called the Baker Cabin Historical Society. For the most part, the site is unmanned, but there are a number of large panels which give detailed descriptions of everything. If you're a real history buff, and looking to ask detailed questions, I recommend trying to call someone to find out when volunteers will be on site to answer those questions. I believe you can also get guided tours of the property by appointment, but I'm not entirely sure who the proper contact is. I'm sure a Google search would turn something up.
The property itself is beautiful... a 1.5 acre clearing surrounded by trees. You'll find the church, the cabin, and a barn on site. The cabin is one of the oldest log structures in the state and is the only known log cabin with a cantilever supported loft and exterior stairway. The church (commonly referred to as "The Pioneer Church") was moved to the site in 1967 from nearby (Springwater).
Getting back to the cabin... it is a rather unique design and not what you might expect from an old pioneer cabin. Several panels around the cabin talk about Horace and Jane Baker and the struggles they endured. Definitely take time to read the panels as they will give you a true appreciation for what life must have been like back then.
If you have a phone there is a "TeleTales" phone number you can call to hear the story about the Bakers and their trip to Oregon and what life was like on the site. The call is free.
Written 24 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyrico
Oregon City, OR21 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
A great place to let the kids run around in the grass and get a history lesson at the same time. Signs explain the uses of various items around the grounds and there is a native american grinding rock as well. Also on the property is a relocated pioneer church popular for weddings, so you may want to check before your visit. The Cabin Itself is only open for tours at very specific times or by appointment for groups, but, well worth a visit with the friendly staff to learn more about the Baker family.
Written 6 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OliviaK
Portland, OR72 contributions
This was a very small cabin which happened to be closed during February 2014. The church on the same grounds was also closed!
Written 6 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelers201168
Oklahoma City, OK306 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
Wonderful site for a wedding lovely little church and the cabin was so interesting to see. The grounds are well kept and even tho we were there in the middle of the week and no one was around we enjoyed reading the signs and listening to the story via phone.
Written 19 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy S
Springfield, Oregon662 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Hatton road not Carver Road, from Oregon City its a right turn across from park. Cabin boarded up, scenic photo op, but the church and setting are ADORABLE, great venue for weddings, I bet. turn corner and go to parking lot by church, not at first opportunity to park which is a tow-away/ NOT EASY to find unless you use park as guidepost or watch street signs like hawk ..drove by it twice.
Written 5 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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