Originally used as a summer home, Aaron M. Frank bought the
thirty-five-acre plot of land in Garden Home for its ample acreage for his true
passion: horses. Located near both the Portland and Nicol riding academies, the
property featured an impressive main stable – boasting fourteen stalls, a
carriage floor, and chambers for grooms. An additional barn dedicated for brood
mares was also constructed, but the centerpiece of this equestrian haven was
the 1/8-mile oval track and indoor ring capable of seating hundreds of guests.
The estate also featured a well manicured rock garden, a tennis court, a 5-hole
golf course, and Oregon’s first Olympic-sized pool, offering a local training
area for Olympic hopefuls.
The family home, which resides on a rise looking over the track, features
five bedrooms, six bathrooms on the main level, with an additional bathroom,
bedroom, and wine cellar on the lower level. The main living room fireplace is
massive, even by traditional standards, and provided an amazing backdrop for
the lavish parties often hosted at the venue.
With deep connections to the spheres of both politics and entertainment,
including Amelia Earhart who had a featured label with Meier &Frank, and
Clark Gable who once sold ties at the store, the Frank Family reveled in
luxurious company. Frank’s grandmother, Jeanette Hirsch Meier, of the Hirsch
family bolstered those connections. The Hirsch family was one of the founders
of the White Stag Sportswear company, which installed the iconically bright
White Stag sign in downtown Portland in 1940 (the sign was later purchased by
the city and updated to feature its name).
From One
Family to Many
In 1989, the estate was sold, and construction began on a collection of
townhome and apartment buildings to surround the main house. Segmented with
well-manicured hedges and rose gardens, The Frank Estate still features the
iconic landmarks built by the Frank family, including the 1/8-mile horse track.
The family home is now used as the main leasing office and still features
nearly all the original features (residents often enjoy morning coffee in front
of the oversized fireplace). Though officially part of Portland, The Frank
Estate feels a thousand miles away and isolated from the busy lifestyle we’ve
all become so accustom to. Walking paths, including the Fanno Creek trail,
crisscross across the property and provide residents a relaxing escape.
Just as it
did for Aaron Meier Frank and his family, The Frank Estate continues to provide
a peaceful home for its residents to pursue their passions and enjoy the
unmatched tranquility of the Pacific Northwest.
A special thank you to Gerry Frank, The
Garden Home History Project, and The Washington County Historical
Society for reference material and images.