West Hills History: Willamette Stone Heritage Site and Young House

I am treating these two together because there isn't really a lot about either one of them.

They have a lot of history, but there is not an extended tour or anything. They can both be pretty quick stops, not even four miles apart.

The Willamette Stone is the Point of Beginning of the Willamette Meridian, established in 1851.

That places it about three years after the Oregon Territory was organized and eight years before Oregon became a state. 

As the "Point of Beginning", all land surveys and property descriptions for both Oregon and Washington are referenced from it. 

It is a little bit off the beaten path. While it is a short walk, it is a steep one, and mossy enough that it could be quite slick in rain.

There is a marker and some signage, as well as benches named for the survey team members.

There are also lots and lots of trees.

The John Quincy Adams Young House is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Washington County.

Young was a son of Elam Young -- another familiar name in these parts -- and an owner at one time of the mill for which Cedar Mill is named.

https://cedarmillnews.com/legacy/archive/709/JQA_Young.html 

While last year's event was canceled, when the Cedar Mill Cider Festival is held, it is held on this property.

I cannot rule out that at some point the interior of the house may be viewable, it is not at this time.

For now the exterior can be viewed, and it connects to a nice walking trail, the Sue Conger boardwalk and overlook,  connecting to the Johnson Creek Loop. 

COVID: Both locations are fully outside, and were not heavily visited.

Accessibility: The trail for the marker is pretty steep, and there are some steps. I would exercise caution.

For the house, parking is in the lot for the church next door, so then you are going over grass and it may not be ideal.

The adjacent trail does seem pretty accessible, though there may be some steep grades if you continue.

The trail to the marker is closest to a cemetery; people may not pass it that often.

The Young house is on Cornell, which is pretty well-traveled. It would still be very easy to just drive by without noticing or thinking.

Life is more interesting when you both notice and think.

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=180

https://www.thprd.org/facilities/historic/john-quincy-adams-young-house