Oswego Heritage Council

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. LOH President Susan Bailey and Oswego Heritage Council President Larry Keating

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. Plaque unveiled

Susan Bailey and Larry Keating prepare to unveil the plaque 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