Brunk House Pioneer Farm - Salem, Oregon

Photo by Cristy L Allen-Hyden Short

 Today I took a break from packing for my trip 

and Joe and I visited 

the Historical Brunk House Pioneer Farm.

If you're in the Salem, Oregon area,
it's a fantastic walk down memory lane. 

The house was built in 1861 in what was the town of Eola, Oregon by Harrison and Emily Brunk, who came here on the Oregon Trail.Their first homestead was in the boggy Basket Slough area of western Polk County in 1849, where they farmed for 10 years before they acquired better farmland further east. They relocated to the new farm in 1859 and lived in a log cabin while building this home where their family members would reside until 1974.

There's too much history to type here -
if you're in the neighborhood, stop and take some time to visit.
They ask a $4 donation.
You get a personal tour of the house and land. 
The house is full of treasures from the past
and gives an excellent picture of the way life was lived
so many years ago. 

They also offer classes in woodworking and blacksmithing. 

Originally, the busy Hwy 22 was a simple trail running past the house.

"Oregon Boot" 

The gift shop had an "Oregon Boot" on display.
I was shocked at how heavy this was! 
The boot consisted of a heavy iron or lead band
 that locked around a prisoner’s ankle.
To this band was welded or bolted a heavy iron support strap
that attached to the heel of a heavy shoe or boot.
The whole contraption weighed up to 28 pounds,
and it was attached to only one leg,
with the result that the prisoner was perpetually off balance.
You can read more about it here:
https://offbeatoregon.com/1403b.oregon-boot-cruel-unusual-punishment.html

Our volunteer guide was a descendent of the owners.

If you're in the area, drop in! 

You may even go home with a bag full of garden produce!

Happy Trails!

Annie