In 1918, Sidney P. Stringer (pictured above, at right) returned home to Oregon from fighting in the trenches of France in World War I. He took a liking to Ms. Lola Westenhouse (pictured above, at left), a local school teacher. When Sidney asked Lola to marry him, she wisely replied, "If you want to catch the bird, you'd better build a cage." So Sidney bought 40 acres of homestead land and set out to build a birdcage. He started in 1919 and finished in 1920. 

The original house was a box, about 20 feet wide and 30 feet long. Over the years, porches were added. Eventually the back porch was converted to a bathroom and laundry room. And 2 attached wood sheds were eventually converted to be included into the house as it stands now, 100 years later. 

Sidney & Lola had two children, Ramona (born in 1925) and Marlin (born in 1928). Sidney would pass away in 1940, leaving his wife and kids to tend the farm. Lola lived the rest of her days on the farm, passing away in 1985. Marlin, their son, had three children and passed away in 1986, shortly after his mother. Ramona inherited the farm and rented it out for 30 years, until Marlin's oldest grandchild, Alita and her husband, Frank Batham (that's us!) moved into the house in 2012, with hopes of keeping the home and land in the family for more generations. 

Today, we and our 3 kids busily fill the old Birdcage with life every day with homeschool & tending our hobby farm. As of 2024, we are embarking on a journey of updating the kitchen and first bath and adding a couple bedrooms to the back. We are super excited to share this journey with you.

Welcome to the Birdcage Farmhouse! We hope you enjoy your visit and feel encouraged and inspired as you go. 

Blessings, Alita