Welcome to the Banks Historical Society! Learn about the history of Banks and read through many historical facts, stories, and photographs.
The area where the City of Banks now resides was once part of a vast and vibrant network of Native American settlements and trade routes that had flourished for more than 5,000 years. Before 1780, it is estimated that as many as 3,000 people, members of the Atfalati Kalapuya people, called this area home.
Oregon Trail pioneers Peyton and Anna Wilkes and their children were the Banks area’s first permanent Euro-American settlers. The Wilkes family came on the Oregon Trail with the Barlows in 1845 and, in 1847, laid claim to 634.49 acres of land — nearly a section — that included the place where Banks would eventually grow. They initially built a log cabin and, in the early 1870s, Jabez Wilkes, the son of Peyton and Anna, built a stately home that still stands today.
Historical records indicate the Wilkes family lived harmoniously alongside the Atfalati, 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 here.
Learn how the Wilkes House and its 150 years of Oregon Trail pioneer architecture and cultural history were wiped out in a matter of minutes — despite there being no need or urgency to do so.
Media Coverage:
READERS RESPOND: Survey shows disappointment in destruction of historic Wilkes House in Banks, Forest Grove News Times, 15 July 2024
‘We got really ripped off'” Calls for accountability emerge following demise of Banks’ historic Wilkes House, Hillsboro News-Times, 9 July 2024
1870s Oregon farmhouse torn down for proposed water treatment facility, The Oregonian, 5 July 2024
Demolition abruptly ends campaign to save historic farmhouse in Banks, KGW TV, 5 July 2024
150-year-old historic Wilkes House demolished amid preservation efforts in Banks, Beaverton Valley Times
5 July 2024
Wilkes House demolished Friday morning, The Banks Post, 5 July 2024
Stunning 19th Century home that’s rare Oregon Trail survivor abruptly torn down to make way for water treatment facility, MSN & The Daily Mail (UK), 5 July 2024
Historic Wilkes House In Banks Falls To Developers’ Dozer, Hillsboro Herald, 6 July 2024
Saving the 150-year-old Wilkes House – Read the Press Release
Residents of tiny Oregon town try to stop 1870s farmhouse from being replaced by water treatment plant, The Oregonian, 3 July 2024
Banks Historical Society working to save house dating back 150 years, KGW TV, 3 July 2024
Banks Historical Society launches fundraiser to save Wilkes House, The Banks Post, 3 July 2024
In June 2024, the Banks Historical Society launched a “Save the Wilkes House” campaign with a GoFundMe to raise funds for the preservation of the 150-year-old Wilkes house — and the acre of heritage trees surrounding it — for the creation of a one-acre city park, cultural center and museum.
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 have been 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.
Unfortunately, the City of Banks’ development plans for the site include the construction of a water treatment plant that, if built, would necessitate the destruction of this landmark home and heritage trees. The Banks Historical Society and Friends of the Wilkes House were advocating for the proposed water treatment plant to be located elsewhere so this beautiful, historic property could be preserved.
Many concerned citizens expressed enthusiasm over this historic preservation and contributed to our GoFundMe.
The Banks Historical Society sought to partner with the City of Banks to preserve the Wilkes House on its original acre of land so that it would be eligible for historical landmark designation, as it met three separate criteria for eligibility for the National Register, according to the state’s preservation office. This designation would have aided the Historical Society in obtaining grants for the restoration and preservation of the 150-year-old home and the acre of heritage trees that surround it.
As part of the development agreement with the City for the creation of the 30-acre Sunset View at West Banks residential and commercial development, the City will obtain that acre of the historic property for “municiple use,” which the City had designated for the water treatment plant.
Despite the proposed water treatment plant not being scheduled to be built for 5-7 years, the property’s absentee corporate owners, Lone Oak Land and Investment Company and Wolverine Financial, chose to demolish the house before any discussion could take place about alternative locations for the water plant, before historic landmark designations could be applied for and just days before the City Council’s planned July 9 work session to discuss the possibility of preserving the Wilkes House. The City of Banks did nothing to stop the demolition.
This effort is not over. The Banks Historical Society is continuing its work to try to save the historic land and old trees for the creation of a city park.
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.
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A settlement grew up around the Wilkes’ property.
In 1870, William Mills donated part of his land for a cemetery – now called Union Point Cemetery. A Post Office was started in the late 1890s, officially being established on January 21, 1902. Ewell S. Turner (1870 – 1919) was the first Postmaster. Montgomery “Gum” Turner, a brother of Ewell, was a storekeeper in Greenville, a settlement two miles to the south of the current town ot Banks. It was a small community developed as a meeting place for trappers and early area settlers.
The name “Turner” was submitted for the Post Office, however, a Post Office (town) by that name already existed in Oregon. Therefore, Banks was submitted to the Government as brothers John and Robert Banks owned land next to the Union Point Cemetery on Banks Road and were instrumental in developing Banks along with the new railroad. In addition to their land, John L. Banks bought land from the Wilkes and added many improvements in the area that is known today as Quail Valley Golf Course.
Today’s United Methodist Church (originally known as the community church) was started in 1908. It was built by Mike Schrammel and Phil Parmley and dedicated in 1909. The first town bank was built in 1909. In 1921, the town of Banks was incorporated, with a population of 75 at the time. The reservoir and water system came in 1924 for $30,000, and a sewer system in 1938 for $10,000. In 1910, 100 Japanese families came to Banks and started raising strawberries. By 1950, acreage had grown to the point where the Banks Bar-B-Q program reported that 4,000 tons of berries were handled annually in Banks.
More Information
To learn more about the rich history of Banks, visit the other pages of this site. We continue to add more! Also, the Banks Historical Society has published the book Banks: A Town on the Move along with an updated walking tour of historical sights in the city. Books are usually available at Jim’s Market or you may purchase them directly through the Banks Historical Society at bankshistoricalsociety@gmail.com or (503) 389-8967. All proceeds benefit the all volunteer, non-profit Banks Historical Society.
The Washington County Historical Society and Museum has more history of Washington County. You can also visit washingtoncountyheritage.org