Historic Carlton Oregon — FRANZISKA HAUS

by Brigitte Hoss

McMinnville’s Third Street won the distinguished “Best USA Small Town Main Street” honor a few years back, however, do not just stop there!… Go on… venture just a few more minutes north and step into a less well known find, Carlton’s little farm town and artisan oasis.

The cozy historic town of Carlton packs a pleasant surprise with its 1/3 of a mile main street shops. Short sidewalk strolls allow you to taste some of Willamette Valley’s most highly regarded wines. Later, when your yearning turns towards food, another few paces brings options of savory farm to fork eateries both casual and formal. Throw in a mix of truly original Oregon berry jams, specialty chocolates, rustic baked goods, handcrafted rough soaps and scents from Carlton’s local, on-site artisans. These artisans are at the top of their game, quite certainly. No using ingredients from far away cities, no, no! What Carlton offers springs forth organically right from there. After your visit to Carlton, you will happily find that you have not only gently meandered though a most uniquely satisfying, lovely afternoon, but that there was no resisting securing a few of Oregon’s bountiful souvenir wines & gifts.