Former Hippie Commune That Shaped Steve Jobs’ Vision for Apple Now Listed at $5 Million
A sprawling former commune in Oregon that was once a counterculture haven and the unexpected muse behind the name of the world’s most iconic tech company is now on the market for $5 million.
Located in McMinnville, the 388-acre property comprises five contiguous parcels of farmland, woods, and open pasture, along with a fully renovated main house, guest accommodations, and several outbuildings.
Described as a “storybook estate,” elk, turkey, deer, bears, and cougars roam the land, but beyond its physical charm, the land carries an outsized legacy in tech folklore. It’s the place that helped inspire Steve Jobs to name his company “Apple.”
The commune, once known as All One Farm, operated during the 1970s under the leadership of Robert Friedland, a charismatic spiritual seeker who later became a Canadian mining billionaire. It was here that a young, freshly dropped-out Jobs immersed himself in alternative living, Zen teachings, psychedelics, and the beginnings of a vision that would eventually change the world.
Jobs learned about leadership, intuition, and consciousness, which he later said shaped Apple’s ethos, as noted by The Oregonian in a retrospective on the site’s cultural influence.
But perhaps most memorably, it was the property’s apple orchard — a lush, slightly wild grove that still grows today — that gave Jobs the spark for his company’s name. In Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs, the Apple founder explained that after returning from a trip to the farm during one of his fruitarian phases, the name simply clicked.
“I was on one of my fruitarian diets. I had just come back from the apple farm. It sounded fun, spirited, and not intimidating. Apple took the edge off the word ‘computer.’ Plus, it would get us ahead of Atari in the phone book.”
Jobs’ connection to the farm ran deeper than branding. His high school girlfriend, Chrisann Brennan, also lived there, and in 1978, she gave birth to their daughter, Lisa, at the commune.
Today, the property blends its counterculture roots with modern comforts. Real estate developer Damon Gustafson, the current owner, purchased the land after it had fallen into poor condition. It was in “complete and utter disrepair,” said listing agent Drew Staudt of Windermere Realty Group, who noted that Gustafson spent years restoring the buildings and replanting the once-neglected orchard.
“This property will resonate with someone who values nature, privacy, true craftsmanship and the power of story. Whether envisioned as a statement estate, a destination retreat or a working vineyard, winery or other creative venture, the possibilities are wide open.”
The main residence now spans 5,200 square feet and includes artisan finishes, expansive decks, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. A three-bedroom guesthouse and renovated barns dot the property, including a small red barn that, according to oral histories, once served as Jobs’ sleeping quarters and early workspace during his brief stint at Atari. In one outbuilding, a classic Apple logo is emblazoned on the exterior, a nod to the site’s history.
The largest barn has also seen a dramatic makeover. Once a sacred meditation space for commune residents, complete with an “Om” symbol still etched into its wooden beams, it’s now outfitted with a ballroom floor and party-ready catering amenities.
Staudt said the property’s future is wide open. Its next chapter could be as a working orchard, a corporate retreat center, or even a private sanctuary steeped in tech mythology.
It’s rare to find a piece of land with such a rich history. For those seeking a slice of American counterculture with a side of Apple lore, the farm offers a unique setting.
“This is more than just a beautiful property,” said Staudt. “It’s a piece of modern folklore and a story ready for its next chapter.”
Moumita Basuroychowdhury is a Contributing Reporter at The National Digest. After earning an economics degree at Cornell University, she moved to NYC to pursue her MFA in creative writing. She enjoys reporting on science, business and culture news. You can reach her at moumita.b@thenationaldigest.com.