Whither Goest Cast Iron?

Portland architect William J. Hawkins III knows more about early Portland architecture than anyone.

Starting with research for his impressive book, “The Grand Era of Cast-Iron Architecture in Portland,” he has spent more than 50 years studying and chronicling the cast-iron buildings erected roughly from 1860 to 1890 that once lined downtown streets from Front to Third Avenue largely between Couch and Madison streets.

The repetitive cast iron arches, columns and decorations reflected classical Italianate styles.  Some were forged locally and many were imported from distant foundries, adding elegance and style to those streets not seen since.  Hawkins said developers in the era were pleased to add beauty and sophistication to the young city.

Alas, most of those buildings were torn down in the post-World War II era when demand for automobile parking outstripped the economic value of distinctive old buildings, many of which had suffered deferred maintenance.

But Hawkins kept track of the cast iron remains, many of which were salvaged by Eric Ladd, Jerry Bosco and Ben Milligan who saved what they could rather than see the old pieces melted down.  Today some 110 hefty cast iron elements are in the custody of Prosper Portland (nee Portland Development Commission) supposedly awaiting reintroduction into the Skidmore-Old Town Historic District, which in 1976 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. .

At least that’s what city design regulations for the historic district say. Guidelines adopted by the City Council say the cast iron should be integrated into the historic character of the district.  

Yet little progress has occurred.  Some arches were added in 1986 to the Ankeny Square near Skidmore Fountain and to brick walls next of the nearby Fire Station.  Several columns were added as street art in 2016 to the Lindquist College of Business at 109 NW Naito Parkway, shown at left. .

Hawkins said no one seems to be paying attention to maintenance of the Ankeny arches.  A few years ago he paid to have them repainted himself.  “Does anyone care about the district at all?” he asks.  “Nobody seems to be the caretaker.”

Construction will begin soon at 151 S.W. First Ave. on a five-story office building in the historic district.  Hawkins talked with the architects about incorporating a cast iron arch in various ways, but ZGF Architects decided not to.  Hawkins says there was no encouragement from the Landmarks Commission in favor of reusing any cast iron.  

Conventional wisdom in the preservation world says new buildings in a historic district should not be designed to look entirely like an old one.  If historic elements are used, viewers need to be able to recognize what is old and what isn't. That is why is is usually easy to tell, upon visual inspection, where a new addition has been made to a historic structure.       

As for the cast iron guidelines, the commission's final report on the ZGF-designed building stated two rather puzzling sentences: “The Skidmore/Old Town Historic District is notable for its cast iron collection as well as the detail (sic) masonry work of its brick buildings.  The proposed building design builds on that character with proportions and detailing that are designed to take on similar proportions of the district’s cast iron facades.” 

Questions arise:

Artifacts waiting in storage. 

·         Has the Landmarks Commission, which has a long history of vigilance concerning Portland’s historic architectural resources, lost interest in cast iron?

·         Are the classically-styled fluted columns and Italianate decorations now considered no longer worthy of display?

·         Is the Historic District itself, including its owners and residents, no longer interested in what remains of its architectural origins?

 Looking at the district today, Hawkins says, "This inheritance, though it has been greatly diminished from its original number of buildings and ambience, should be cared for as much as any civic amenity. It deserves every effort of care and stewardship to assure, in these ever-changing times, its survival as a special attraction of the City." 

Regardless of one’s opinion on the merits of the cast iron artifacts as art, “I can’t understand blocking out history,” Hawkins says.  “It’s an issue for everyone involved in preservation.”


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