A neighborhood born in the mid-1960s
Oak Hills was laid out in the early 1960s as one of Oregon's pioneering planned communities: a village-style mix of single-family homes and townhomes, open space, paths and a community center built around a pool. The first homes went up around 1963 to 1965, and the community grew through the rest of the decade with a distinct architectural identity.
That identity is mid-century modern: low rooflines, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, walls of glass and an indoor-outdoor feel that was radical for suburban Oregon at the time.
The Rummer houses
A small group of Oak Hills homes were built by Robert Rummer, the mid-century builder famous for his post-and-beam houses, and the neighborhood holds one of the largest concentrations of Rummer homes outside his Garden Home stronghold. They are the ones architectural buffs come to see.
Rummer houses are prized for their soaring open interiors, dramatic rooflines and connection to the outdoors. If you fall for one, expect a home that is less about size and more about space, light and proportion.
A historic district, intact and livable
In July 2013, Oak Hills was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, one of the youngest districts in Oregon at the time. The designation recognizes the neighborhood as a remarkable intact example of mid-century planning and self-governance, not as a museum.
These are lived-in family homes on tree-lined streets, protected in character but very much part of daily life: dogs, bikes, tennis games and pool summers.
What buyers should know
Buying a 60-year-old home means a real inspection, a careful eye on systems like plumbing, electrical and roofing, and a fair bit of loving attention. Some Oak Hills homes have been beautifully updated; others remain close to their original 1960s condition, which is either a restoration project or a treasure, depending on your taste.
There is no construction here: what you see is what exists, and the inventory turns over gradually. When a good mid-century home comes up, knowledgeable buyers move quickly. Ask us about the current market and we will tell you honestly what to expect.