The farmstead he established in Eagle Creek in 1847 became a stopping post for pioneers heading west along the Oregon Trail.

In 1845, Sam Barlow was unwilling to pay the Hudson's Bay Company bateaux to float down the dangerous Columbia River, so he, his family, and the rest of their wagon train searched for another route around Mount Hood.

Joined by subsequent wagon trains, Barlow, Joel Palmer and emigrant Lock scouted for routes around the mountain.

Philip Foster moved his family from Oregon City and settled along the toll road, where he had a store, cabins for rent, orchards, gardens, and pastures for grazing stock.

Foster also established various facilities at his residence including blacksmith services, a designated cabin for housing overnight customers, as well as a thriving general store.