Poor Farm

The Multnomah County Poor Farm was the home of many people, most of them elderly for many years. Many of those folks came to rest in Multnomah Park. I am beginning the research to find out who they were and where they are now. Many of the former residents of the County Poor Farm became part of the anatomy lab lessons at the Oregon Health Sciences University. I honor them.

Mover and Shaker

Plympton Kelly was a mover and shaker in the early days of Portland. He gave the eulogy at the funeral of his good friend O.P. Lent in 1899. Mr. Kelly was friends with many Portland pioneers. He also served on the first Multnomah Cemetery Board of Directors.

Headstone of the Week - Homespun Headstone

The loved ones of Hattie Amanda Gibson made her marker from concrete using bold block letters. The creative use of letters and numbers makes this stone a true work of heart.

R.I.P. Hattie Amanda

The Millhouse Boys

Richard Dick Millhouse died on December 3, 1918 of influenza. His son, Raymond, died the next day. They were both laid to rest in Section D on December 12th, side by side.

The 1918 flu epidemic was merciless.

RIP Richard and Raymond.

Headstone of the Week

Barbara, wife of Alexander Meyer, died July 6, 1909
Aged 73 years, 6 months & 4 days.

Which makes her birthday on February 2, 1836.

Headstone of the Week

We don't know much about Captain A. Montgomery other than what is on his grave stone. He was a Mason, he served in the Mexican War of 1846 and he died in Portland at the age of 73 and is buried in the first grave sold in Section C.

Headstone of the Week

In the 1930's, the cemetery was the scene of much vandalism. This marble stone originally was upright and when it was vandalized, the cemetery had it reset to lay flat in cement. There are many stones like this at Multnomah Park.

Cool Thoughts on a Warm Day

The warm weather is with us today, so I am having cool thoughts of a snowy afternoon several months ago.

Headstone of the Week

Here rests a Woodman of the World

A Small Flower in the Garden of Untimely Demise

Ernest Degagne was almost 10 years old when he was playing with friends and wading in the Willamette River near the foot of Porter St. when he fell in to deep water and drowned. The two friends that were with him knew he drowned but said nothing until the police came looking for them. Ernest's body was pulled from the river by grappling hooks near where he went in. A sad day that was, back in 1924.