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.
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 have enhanced the Westside development next door to the site and would have created a cultural hub and educational resource for the community for generations to come.
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 “municipal use,” which the City had designated for the water treatment plant. The construction of a water treatment plant would have necessitated the destruction of this landmark home and heritage trees.
The Banks Historical Society and Friends of the Wilkes House advocated 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 historic preservation office (SHPO). 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.
Despite the proposed water treatment plant not being scheduled to be built for 5-7 years — plenty of time to locate another site — the property’s absentee corporate owners, Lone Oak Land and Investment Company and Wolverine Financial, chose to demolish the house on July 5, 2024, 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.
Media Coverage:
SEE THE HEARTBREAKING VIDEO of the 150-year-old Wilkes House being demolished
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
Media prior to demolition:
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
Saving the 150-year-old Wilkes House – Read the Press Release
PRESS RELEASE:
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.
Banks Historical Society Launches Save the Wilkes House Campaign
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.