About Our Family & Place

When Wolfgang and Ragnhild (first-generation Carlbergs) first discovered what they lateron named “Westwind Farm,” they immediately fell in love with the picturesque setting atop “Casto Hill,” the first major elevation arising from the Willamette Valley, where the Willamette River winds its way through Oregon’s “Garden of Eden” South of Oregon City in the Carus community. This unique and exquisite place stood out, having been farmed as a place for Douglas fir trees, cattle, and haymaking. Its valley and coast range views to the South, West, and North were striking, and its pristine landscape, although cleared in many areas, held virgin soil and was enriched only by rainwater, the manure from the grazing Hereford cattle, and sunshine. Wolfgang, a trained blacksmith and artist, and Ragnhild, an artist and teacher, settled here to raise their family, make a living, and pursue their artistic activities as time permitted.