SBNA History

SBNA was originally organized as a social club in 1921 – over 100 years ago!

We were first registered with the State of Oregon as a “Non Profit” “Mutual Benefit Corporation” in 1954 under the name of the “Spencer Butte Improvement Association”, so the group could take title to 10 acres of land donated by lumberman George Owens.

We are now known as the “Spencer Butte Neighborhood Association” and are currently registered with the State as the “Spencer Butte Improvement Association”, “doing business as” the “Spencer Butte Neighborhood Association”.

Lois Barton, who was a long-time resident of the SBNA area, wrote about the sometimes-colorful history of the Spencer Butte Area in the pamphlet, “It’s a Privilege to Live on Spencer Butte, a history of the area from 1954 to 1984”.

Lois also wrote a book about the history of the area, “Spencer Butte Pioneers: 100 Years on the Sunny Side of the Butte, 1850-1950”. (ISBN 9780960942008). Although now out-of-print, as of 4-25-25, hard copies are still available from on-line sellers, e.g. AbeBooks. Also, many SBNA area people have copies that you might be able to borrow.