The GoFundMe campaign is raising funds for preservation of the 150-year-old Oregon Trail pioneer home and surrounding acre of heritage trees, as both are in danger of demolition.
Banks, Oregon – June 26, 2024 – The Banks Historical Society and its Friends of The Wilkes House committee today announced the launch of the Save the Wilkes House campaign. The goal of the campaign is to preserve the oldest site-built Oregon Trail pioneer home in Banks, Oregon along with the acre of old, heritage trees that surround it. Built in the early 1870s, this beautiful, historic home and urban forest are currently in danger of being torn down and developed into an industrial site. The Banks Historical Society has created a GoFundMe to raise funds that will help secure the house and acre of land for the creation of a city park, cultural center and museum.
The beautiful, 150-year-old landmark home belonged to the Wilkes family, the Banks area's first permanent Euro-American settlers who came on the Oregon Trail with the Barlows in 1845. They made their land claim – on which most of the City of Banks now sits – in 1847. Historical records indicate the Wilkes family lived harmoniously alongside the Atfalati-Kalapuya people, who used the land along Dairy Creek for their summer encampments. Recently uncovered historical information, first-person accounts and Native American objects found in an archeological survey in the area indicate there was a rich, cultural exchange that took place on this property, and a more formal archeological exploration is warranted.
The site is in full view of, and mere steps away from, the trailheads for the Banks-Vernonia State Trail and the new Salmonberry Trail now under construction – an 82-mile rail-to-trail project connecting Banks to the Oregon Coast. The planned Council Creek Regional Trail will also run near the property.
As a park, museum and cultural center, The Wilkes House and land would be a boon to tourism, enhancing local business at the north end of Banks and Oregon’s beautiful wine country and cycling routes. It would enhance the proposed Westside development in Banks next door to the site and create a cultural hub and educational resource for the community for generations to come.
Saving this Historic Site
Unfortunately, current development plans for the site include the construction of a water treatment plant that would necessitate the destruction this landmark home and treed property. The Banks Historical Society and Friends of the Wilkes House are advocating for the proposed water treatment plant to be located elsewhere so this beautiful, historic property can be preserved.
The Banks Historical Society seeks to partner with the City of Banks to preserve the Wilkes House on its original acre of land so that it will be eligible for historical landmark designation and grants for historical preservation.
Written testimony and recorded audio from members of the Banks Historical Society at the June 11th, 2024 Banks City Council work session are available on the City of Banks website calendar.
About the Fundraising
The all-volunteer, non-profit Banks Historical Society is raising funds via GoFundMe to save the historic Wilkes House in-situ, and the funds will go toward legal representation; an arborist to do a tree inventory; repayment to the Banks Historical Society for the cost of hiring a building inspector for a structural evaluation of the house; outreach to tribal governments, universities and other organizations involved in historical preservation and the hiring of additional specialists as needed to assist in the cause. Any remaining funds will go directly toward securing the house, having seed money for grant opportunities and to begin renovation projects once an agreement with the City of Banks is obtained.
For more information on the project and ongoing updates, visit the Banks Historical Society Facebook page. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Banks Historical Society at bankshistoricalsociety@gmail.com or (503) 389-8967.