Gardens & Grounds

Grace’s father, William, was president of the Colfax Fruit Growers Exchange Association and the Hubley House was the center of his fruit ranch.

Grace Hubley was a founding member of the Colfax Garden Club along with sister-in-law Edith Hubley.

The Hubley House site is therefore an outdoor museum of heritage apple and pear trees, two grape pergolas, sweet peas, daffodils and some old roses. There is a lovely hand built rock wall next to the house.

Homestead Cabin

The grounds also include a Homestead Cabin.

In 1862, the Homestead Act was passed by Congress giving applicants title to 160 acres of land after meeting residency and use requirements. Once they filed a homestead application, they had five years time to meet their obligations before being awarded a deed.

Grace Hubley’s grandfather filed homestead application papers in 1883. As a civil war veteran, he was eligible to reduce his wait one year for each of the three years he served.

To fulfill the Use requirements, Grace’s grandfather planted a fruit farm.

To fulfill the Residency requirements, he needed to construct a habitable dwelling of at least 12 feet by 14 feet in size. These dwellings were commonly referred to as Homestead Cabins.

In later years the Homestead Cabin became the residency of the gardener who tended the farm’s sheep, hens and orchards.

Boardman Canal

The Boardman Canal runs through the grounds. The Canal was originally built to provide water needs for gold mining operations. Later its use was converted to provide irrigation to fruit farms.