On January 4, 1987 Lake Oswego Hunt was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and on October 19, 2002 the Oswego Heritage Council dedicated a bronze plaque near the entrance of the grounds to commemorate the role played by LOH in the history of Lake Oswego. 
In a brief ceremony attended by LOH members, supporters of the Oswego Heritage Council and visitors, Council President Larry Keating recounted the history of LOH and the unique arena, observation lounge and polo field. He also read a quote from LOH's history booklet: No one ever came to grief--except to honorable grief--through riding horses. No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle. Young men often have been ruined through owning horses, or through backing horses, but never through riding them. Unless, of course, they break their necks, which, taken at a gallop, is a very good death to die. -- Winston Churchill
Shortly thereafter, LOH President Susan Bailey and Larry Keating unveiled the plaque. The dedication ceremony was followed by refreshments in indoor arena observation room. Lake Oswego Hunt is the twelfth property of historic significance to have received an informational bronze plaque, continuing the Oswego Heritage Council program to preserve local history.
LAKE OSWEGO HUNT CLUB - 1936 Lake Oswego Hunt Club was formed by the merger of the Multnomah Hunt of Portland with the Forest Hills Hunt. In October 1936, Oregon Iron & Steel Company offered 19 acres of land at the base of Iron Mountain to the club for development of riding and polo facilities. The offer, which offered miles of trail easements, was accepted and construction of an arena and polo field began.
The arena, 106 x 240 feet, was the largest wood arena in the West, to which was attached the clubhouse and stables building. The facility was designed by and built under the supervision of Jack D. Annand, a leading Portland architect.
Horseback riding and polo attracted residents who were not focused on water sports, golf or tennis, attracting a new group of homeowners to the growing city of Oswego.
Past presidents and chart members include Elston Ireland, George Saunders, Ralph Giesy, Zepherine Murphy, Bill Hedlund and Frank O'Connor.
Lake Oswego Hunt Club is one of the few Oswego historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL - 2002 |
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