Venturing outside our normal geographic boundaries, an opportunity
presented itself to take a quick look at the William Barlow House south of
Canby. It was built in 1885 by William
Barlow who, in his early 20s, helped his father Samuel create the Barlow Road
wagon route from The Dalles to Oregon City.
Created in 1846, the rugged Barlow Road gave Oregon Trail
pioneers an option for leaving the Columbia River and travelling to Oregon City
over the Cascade Range instead of journeying around the river’s treacherous
falls and rapids.
The Barlow House is a charming version of the two-bay High
Victorian Italianate style. It evidently
was erected by a master carpenter without benefit of an architect. Lumber was cut and milled on the site.
Preservation Consultant Bo Sullivan reports that the long-time
owners, who have done a remarkable job of restoration, recently completed restoration
of the iron fencing on the roof. Known
colloquially as a widow’s walk or captain’s walk, the device allows one to
appreciate views from a high elevation.
Functionally, it allows easy, safe access for cleaning chimneys.
Sullivan said the owners found fragments of the original
railing, which provided a template for new fabrication.
One can contemplate that inspiration for the house’s design
came from San Francisco rather than Portland.
San Francisco was home to literally hundreds of Italianate houses while
Portland had far fewer. Given the
California gold rush and the active sea trade between Portland and San
Francisco, it is easy to appreciate San Francisco’s influence.
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| (National Register of Historic Places) |
An older black-and-white image (likely from the 1970s) shows
porches that were added at some point to the western and northern sides of the
house. These greatly impaired the
original architecture, and fortunately have been removed.
The old photograph also shows two long rows of black walnut
trees leading from the road to the main entrance. According to Barlow lore, these were the
first black walnut trees imported to Oregon.
Although none survive, Sullivan said the owners are thinking of
replanting them.
Sullivan said the house is occasionally open for viewing,
but otherwise the owners wish not to be bothered by sightseers. Given their dedication to preservation and
restoration, we should willingly limit our appreciation for their historic
house and excellent work by viewing from afar.
----Fred Leeson
Join Building on History’s mailing list by writing “add me”
to fredleeson@hotmail.com
It is good to note that Sam Barlow's route was an existing Indian trail. My ancestors drove their wagons through there in 1843, two years before Barlow came to Oregon. The Indian trail allowed them to avoid the treacherous Columbia River. It was just another instance of how my family, as so many others, were indebted to the Native people.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Kerr
Wonderful comment. Thanks. Our historical perspective must not be limited by ignoring those who came before.
ReplyDeleteThe c. 1880 Kirkman House in Walla Walla is built of brick, but has similar Italianate characteristics with apparent similar San Francisco roots. The Kirkman House website notes that builder William Kirkman had brought the style ideas north with him from San Francisco. https://www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org/the-house. In regard to the black walnut trees, I note from my research that nursery owner and operator Gay Hayden, as in Hayden Island, had black walnuts for sale in October 1875, according to an advertisement he placed in the Vancouver Independent 10/30/1875. Thanks for another interesting read, Fred!
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