FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

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PROTECT HERITAGE FARM SITE (WASHINGTON)

Located on 78.92 acres in Vancouver, Washington, the historic Clark County Poor Farm on 78th Street deserves protection as a county park, with designation of the building as a National Historic Site.

The original poor farm site in Vancouver was in the area of Fourth Plain Boulevard and Andresen Road but gave way to development and was relocated.  In 1926, residents were moved to the current building and site, but its purpose as a poor farm eventually ended.  Washington State University then began using it for agricultural research purposes in 1943.  It was deeded for that purpose by the governor of Washington in 1949.

Washington State University Vancouver Extension Unit, which currently occupies part of the site, is moving from its current location.  This acreage along with neighboring private land should be acquired by the Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation department.  The land abuts an existing park on 68th Street, with beautiful trees reminiscent of old growth timber that was abundant in this area in the late 1800s.  A viable, adaptive use should be made of the building.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs urges the Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation department to acquire the historic Clark County Poor Farm and neighboring private land and to protect the area as a natural county park.  The FWOC also supports placement of the building on the site on the National Historic Register.

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