tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84358473820866350162024-03-17T19:42:17.942-07:00 Building on History Great cities respect their architectural history as they build their futures. Can Portland, Oregon, become a great city? buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-14835843908000079792024-03-15T20:14:00.000-07:002024-03-17T19:41:44.673-07:00Another Hit on the Public Weal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Nk39LXSBQYN76-0JNf9MfME_s-nJNebXepoUmKIXiNUt5jDSAYWxFssxsBxeMGI74FPvdRnqdFsFB5d1N5oLKoLDc7Njct7QkvaGu_VLW_2IDDkPWargVGo-68eVrIbIRCaRUF1UvD3hMVCn94p029XUHIrptF9ufFoOLO5XNCuj2_p9pbX1czdwnY77/s2464/shemanski3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="2272" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Nk39LXSBQYN76-0JNf9MfME_s-nJNebXepoUmKIXiNUt5jDSAYWxFssxsBxeMGI74FPvdRnqdFsFB5d1N5oLKoLDc7Njct7QkvaGu_VLW_2IDDkPWargVGo-68eVrIbIRCaRUF1UvD3hMVCn94p029XUHIrptF9ufFoOLO5XNCuj2_p9pbX1czdwnY77/w590-h640/shemanski3.jpg" width="590" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Recent years have been tough on Portland’s works of
public art. Protests of one sort or
another toppled statues of Presidents and damaged (seemingly permanently, at first) the
beloved Elk statue and fountain.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The latest victim is the smaller Shemanski Fountain located
in the South Park Blocks between S.W. Main and Salmon Streets. The attractive monument with the bronze
statue of “Rebecca at the Well” is now surrounded by temporary chain-link
fencing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>“The fountain has been vandalized and has damage to the stonework – plus two of the three dog bowls are missing,” reports Mark Ross, a Parks
Bureau spokesman. “Portland Parks &
Recreation is currently exploring restoration options with our partners at the
Water Bureau and Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC).”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The monument was given to the city in 1926 by Joseph Shemanski, a Polish immigrant who founded the Eastern Outfitters store that
served as a major Portland clothing and department store for more than 40 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The store closed about 1953, a few years after
Shemanski’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_VGXoVBXaWBCYjDdeTl6MUot6uC0zvYOg_-ksOJpHR6VuVoYgjr-AS7ct_7_I1i2RtLFduqbLnIbXfE39_ft411LrFD4SUQB9wjYqwGvtZhkDVn6Ks3Zy_KamZFSAvw5yNikZKHsd09EWvqdpm61vr6_gcmDwbf-KShxR-dYrAGWeaGhOTK8dUIueti6/s552/shemanski2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="407" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_VGXoVBXaWBCYjDdeTl6MUot6uC0zvYOg_-ksOJpHR6VuVoYgjr-AS7ct_7_I1i2RtLFduqbLnIbXfE39_ft411LrFD4SUQB9wjYqwGvtZhkDVn6Ks3Zy_KamZFSAvw5yNikZKHsd09EWvqdpm61vr6_gcmDwbf-KShxR-dYrAGWeaGhOTK8dUIueti6/w472-h640/shemanski2.JPG" width="472" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In better days (Regional Arts & Culture Council)</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p> </o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Portland architect Carl Linde designed the trefoil
stonework, and the sculpture by Oliver Lawrence Barrett, an art professor at
the University of Oregon, was added in 1928.
Rebecca, shown with a water jug on her shoulder, was a Biblical
character noted for her kindness to strangers and animals.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The monument has two layers of three fountains with bronze
bowls, the lower three being at ground level intended for dogs or small animals. Water service has been sporadic over the
years as the Water Bureau places more importance on revenue-generating service
than on public fountains. The bronze
bowls likely were stolen by people wanting to sell the metal as scrap. The monument has been vandalized on earlier
occasions and was substantially renovated in 2007.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Ross said figuring out a restoration plan might take a few
weeks. How long the repairs take after
that is yet unknown.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY5n3pWLHM0ma86xmpok7DhAEfrFkNYLv5Rl3XyrysjWmKvUgpc_5faQbIrGzdcAm2OgKEv5aMt6fI70DXOVAJVyDn2SUQCMeEbFpmKrrheYuWX9s57Jak-3yvlgS_MiB3OQLWsGQw2cVAW-Pa3VdbjQ0f6qGLeLW9ursuBoRtJtAxSmLujzZ2C6QQDkz/s2933/shemanski4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="2933" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY5n3pWLHM0ma86xmpok7DhAEfrFkNYLv5Rl3XyrysjWmKvUgpc_5faQbIrGzdcAm2OgKEv5aMt6fI70DXOVAJVyDn2SUQCMeEbFpmKrrheYuWX9s57Jak-3yvlgS_MiB3OQLWsGQw2cVAW-Pa3VdbjQ0f6qGLeLW9ursuBoRtJtAxSmLujzZ2C6QQDkz/w640-h462/shemanski4.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Should you stop by in the near future, take a moment to
remember how irresponsible behavior of the few can impair the beauty of the
city and the enjoyment of all -- in a world of supposedly intelligent creatures. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History's email list by writing "add me" to <a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-51658829847393515022024-03-06T14:40:00.000-08:002024-03-08T19:06:06.331-08:00Everything Will Be New at Jefferson High <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfmEm4l5Vz0KSNvUdB__NOkXRHJ0fKzmH5pvDvTVeWWMciPOTD9MPiNfajdVFFTg8pL7zYRYs0VVlQzX3288Y4SF_8qYusRCNAYZwQXPa0T9lJrAoF7a9pYGZ5RQvwiLtZdGZRMuyc7oWY49kNuGfICJFl1MtbyBSODinn-3bsgR_eRomtfcFTkn_TpvH/s606/jefferson3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="606" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfmEm4l5Vz0KSNvUdB__NOkXRHJ0fKzmH5pvDvTVeWWMciPOTD9MPiNfajdVFFTg8pL7zYRYs0VVlQzX3288Y4SF_8qYusRCNAYZwQXPa0T9lJrAoF7a9pYGZ5RQvwiLtZdGZRMuyc7oWY49kNuGfICJFl1MtbyBSODinn-3bsgR_eRomtfcFTkn_TpvH/w640-h246/jefferson3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for the dumpster</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The people spoke. The
Portland School Board listened.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> As a result, a brand
new Jefferson High School will rise somewhere on the school’s 14-acre North
Portland campus, and the welter of existing old buildings dating as early as
1909 will be scraped off.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Jefferson community members didn’t like the idea of their 700
students being shipped off to the old Marshall High School deep in Southeast
Portland for three years while the historic Jefferson building was being
remodeled – as well as possible – with historic architectural standards in
mind.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The change in plans was all the more dramatic since architects and planners had already spent many weeks trying to figure the best means of preserving the historic 1909 building and adding new additions to the south of it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“What was more important was keeping the Jefferson community
intact,” Chandra Robinson, a principal of Lever Architecture, told the Portland
Historic Landmarks Commission. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some other factors to keep in mind, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new building is expected to be less
expensive than restoring the old school and adding new elements it would
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further a detailed study by the Architectural
Resources Group found that Craftsman-era architectural details of the 1909 that
had been plastered over during a 1950s renovation were too damaged to be
restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unfortunate 1950s work
also destroyed much of Jefferson High’s original roofline.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn5wGmkAS_Ri9lJnfjuBUkKcMgt4srMw6R0skkjhXdg33Wt-30NQaGw-Er51o-Wx_1quFBUTuUSlCA3h4RuKklX5lVsXZEyNn5q8AWwt-G6iYZEhtlimVlmUzVUXcFld4BYcWmO_8T3vrx9vd41K2Y-8jmDbxWNi4V29sj8DH1BXc-n18rKPspW2hYewn/s1481/jefferson%20old.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1481" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn5wGmkAS_Ri9lJnfjuBUkKcMgt4srMw6R0skkjhXdg33Wt-30NQaGw-Er51o-Wx_1quFBUTuUSlCA3h4RuKklX5lVsXZEyNn5q8AWwt-G6iYZEhtlimVlmUzVUXcFld4BYcWmO_8T3vrx9vd41K2Y-8jmDbxWNi4V29sj8DH1BXc-n18rKPspW2hYewn/w640-h318/jefferson%20old.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Jefferson High</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Attempts were made to see if Jefferson students could be
housed on or near the Jefferson site while the original restoration plans
unfolded. Options were studied for using portable classrooms and spaces at the
old Kenton School and Portland Community College, but no combination of options
proved feasible, Robinson said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is adequate space on the Jefferson campus to complete
a new building before demolishing the old structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the switch in planning poses a puzzle for the landmarks commission, which had
jurisdiction over the project because the school sits in the Piedmont
Conservation District.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One option for the commission would be to recommend revision
of the historic district boundaries so that the school no long sat within
it. However, doing so would remove the
landmarks commission as a body to hold public hearings over the new design that
the community likely would want to attend.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Another option is to leave the boundaries alone and declare
the old Jefferson building to be “non-contributing” as a historic resource
because its condition has been extensively changed from the original. This strategy would let the commission
continue to have a public review of the new plans, whatever they turn out to
be.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A key challenge to the new design will be what to do about
the football field and running track that faces on N. Killingsworth
Street. Locating the school on the
athletic site would put it close to the North Portland Public Library and
Portland Community College. The athletic
filed could be moved farther south on the campus, but the field was funded
years ago with a public fund drive. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>One assumes that the Jefferson community will offer some
opinions. Firmly, perhaps.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>---Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building in History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-82519106162524576972024-03-02T17:55:00.000-08:002024-03-02T17:55:16.097-08:00Rebuilding Keller Auditorium<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ILmbJzUGcVDeZc-PceCEeso_pXXTyVuyrZxmPi-Xec7xqLrkr4dtblMCvNnZ20XSV8rvZY5_X8eG_WtHmWz30OgMxGViWAg9CO0zoM0_lOZaHsV3rhb8lgCET8xHEdGUxB4RomhwyiuXa571GCAI9gIcuPYslVx2nWWqVhpkscTqIpnewifMyeggrKs/s624/keller.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="624" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ILmbJzUGcVDeZc-PceCEeso_pXXTyVuyrZxmPi-Xec7xqLrkr4dtblMCvNnZ20XSV8rvZY5_X8eG_WtHmWz30OgMxGViWAg9CO0zoM0_lOZaHsV3rhb8lgCET8xHEdGUxB4RomhwyiuXa571GCAI9gIcuPYslVx2nWWqVhpkscTqIpnewifMyeggrKs/w640-h618/keller.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Henneberry Eddy Architects)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A citizen’s group blessed with resources, determination and
clout hopes to convince the Portland City Council this summer that rebuilding
an impressive new Keller Auditorium and adding a public plaza are vital keys to
reinvigorating downtown Portland.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The push to rebuild the city’s largest performing arts venue
is headed by the Halprin Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that
strives to preserve four Halprin fountains in Portland – including the large
and famed Keller (nee Forecourt) Fountain that sits directly west of the
auditorium.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Under the conservancy’s plan, the auditorium would be
structurally braced and enhanced with a bold new lobby, more restrooms and
eating opportunities. In addition, S.W. Third
Avenue in front would be closed into a pedestrian plaza offering opportunities
for outdoor events more direct involvement with the big – and sometimes roaring
--fountain.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Scott Andrews, co-chair of the Halprin Conservancy, said the
new Keller would be “a world class performing arts destination” – a destination,
he said, “Portland desperately needs to get back on track.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Presentations will be made to the City Council next month
about two other potential sites owned by Portland State University or within
Lloyd Center’s boundaries. Either the
PSU or Lloyd Center options could be constructed while tenants such as
Portland’s ballet and opera companies could continue operating at the Keller.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AMmktMqaRkIFsSRR0bEXLvW5Koa0XUHwyWqKiEnPeYopzp1FghZBvnY4FIX_CU0_hrW_4FEhDywXZd74s2tolYH7BhAEEn6gE47Q4tO-_fuIdvQ22Ykh0krFuoUztIl98fM7BY3J2A-YQ53aMqSRI-nCR1ykX2M9i2jjII_BW0OnGfIHvOMz0skZCMG7/s627/keller2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="627" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AMmktMqaRkIFsSRR0bEXLvW5Koa0XUHwyWqKiEnPeYopzp1FghZBvnY4FIX_CU0_hrW_4FEhDywXZd74s2tolYH7BhAEEn6gE47Q4tO-_fuIdvQ22Ykh0krFuoUztIl98fM7BY3J2A-YQ53aMqSRI-nCR1ykX2M9i2jjII_BW0OnGfIHvOMz0skZCMG7/w640-h390/keller2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from above Keller Fountain (Henneberry Eddy Architects)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Reconstructing the Keller would take 19 months, according to
the conservancy’s estimates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Keller’s estimated construction budget of approximately $250 million would be
less than building a new structure at one of the competing sites, and would be
more environmentally friendly, Andrews said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The City Council is expected to select a site possibly by late June.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Halprin Conservancy has invested several years of time
and money on the planning. It hosted a
design competition in 2018 that led the preferred new design with a bold,
cantilevered addition in front. The
conservancy also partnered with the city on a seismic study to determine the
best means of securing the building that dates to 1917. It was remodeled most recently in 1967-68.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>So far, there appears to have been little discussion about
what would happen to the Keller Auditorium block if one of the other sites is
selected. The dramatic Keller Fountain
nearby was hailed as one of America’s greatest urban designs when it opened
when it opened in 1970.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>From preservation perspective, it's important to recognize the context of the original fountain design. It was intended to be a grand front door to the (then) Civic Auditorium, and to be a delight for viewers at almost all hours of the day. It makes complete sense to keep the
auditorium coupled with the dramatic fountain that was designed specifically to sit on the block facing the auditorium's frontage. The Architectural Heritage Center’s
advocacy committee has unanimously endorsed the “new Keller” plan.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Sadly, the Portland Water Bureau and Bureau of Parks have
had difficulty repairing a pump that circulates water at the fountain. One hopes that the city can get it figured out. Combined with the "new" Keller, the fountain would be an absolute "must" for visitors to enjoy. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-55912175887577418082024-02-25T15:23:00.000-08:002024-02-25T19:26:29.375-08:00Hard Times Come Again<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y0-dR0gCsjWW6OlXaGUuSrugj4WGXUnHkXSXLWOYYIfGv06JJX21JNEQGRfyWB0inEFFgg6EJNOtTtyytXnp9zcW-mYXPLsNzE5SckgolRQ415Egw_oNuCm1hIRqYsdx-udtcp-VaZAo-7_zarzvVTJW9H1l3XvJuq0hsEQH7HMHcS1O3Pn9d2W5SfYQ/s723/montgomery.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="723" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y0-dR0gCsjWW6OlXaGUuSrugj4WGXUnHkXSXLWOYYIfGv06JJX21JNEQGRfyWB0inEFFgg6EJNOtTtyytXnp9zcW-mYXPLsNzE5SckgolRQ415Egw_oNuCm1hIRqYsdx-udtcp-VaZAo-7_zarzvVTJW9H1l3XvJuq0hsEQH7HMHcS1O3Pn9d2W5SfYQ/w640-h378/montgomery.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montgomery Park (nee Ward) circa 1927</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Portland’s urban core clearly isn’t what it used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A recent consultant’s report suggested that
office vacancies will hit 40 percent this year, and it might be higher already
with unexpired leases going unused. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fewer
workers downtown mean fewer business opportunities for others.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A dramatic example is the nine-story Montgomery Park
building in Norwest Portland, which sold for $255 million in 2019..It was
flipped recently back to the lender for $37.7 million. “The bargain price points to the woeful state
of Portland’s commercial real estate market,” wrote Jeff Manning, an
outstanding “Oregonian” business reporter.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery Park joins Jackson Tower, the J.K. Gill Building
and the Loyalty Building as prominent office sites that have been turned back
to their lenders without winning any alternative bids. Clearly, big-money investors currently are
keeping their wallets in their pockets..</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdJlrv__3OWW8v0QEmftpJFMB6OxjOPm6VEDL49EOtfq1_h28T3z3qh9broaiuE6ifCVRHgMkVSS76RMAR-iO0EKvevagFzMQEOgiXFu2-C3DgFSj6aeWbWeQBg57Rpoowe6FbLMfQ6jwAWcUmzqURyxLxu4zfrBG_0WD7z1vVpbE-msHB_lDg_BU6AhB/s562/montgomery2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="562" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdJlrv__3OWW8v0QEmftpJFMB6OxjOPm6VEDL49EOtfq1_h28T3z3qh9broaiuE6ifCVRHgMkVSS76RMAR-iO0EKvevagFzMQEOgiXFu2-C3DgFSj6aeWbWeQBg57Rpoowe6FbLMfQ6jwAWcUmzqURyxLxu4zfrBG_0WD7z1vVpbE-msHB_lDg_BU6AhB/w400-h375/montgomery2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new entry won't happen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Swept way with the pandemic was a plan approved by the
Portland Historic Landmarks Commission to revitalize the old Montgomery Ward
building by adding a glassy new western entrance and several new retail and
restaurant spaces. Plans once approved by
the commission for renovating four other historic sites in or near downtown also
appear to be dead or on hold. (Notable examples include re-use proposals for the former Multnomah County Courthouse and First Church of Christ Scientist.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the most part, central cities evolve organically. Offices bring workers downtown who eat lunch,
drink coffee, go to bars and restaurants after work, and frequent nearby retail
shops. All those ancillary enterprises
suffer and close when workers and shoppers disappear.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What also is lost is the communal experience Portlanders
used to feel by shopping downtown at the major department stores, going to
movie theaters and concerts. As people
become more entrenched and isolated on their cell phones and computers what Portland
– and other cities – lose is a “sense of place” that makes a city feel
different and special. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What does the future hold?
The “pandemic-induced deterioration” described by one analyst does not
appear to have speedy solutions.
Substantial numbers of workers have found it preferable to work from
home, and internet-based shopping shows no signs of ebbing. Downtown
and its important historic buildings could take on much more of a “ghost town”
feel unless smart minds can conceive of new ways to make the urban core vibrant
again.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Faced with the glut of new shopping opportunities in the
suburbs, Portland more than 50 years ago launched a wide-ranging “Downtown
Plan” aimed at retaining its urban importance.
Its major conclusions at the time led to the creation of Waterfront Park,
the downtown transit malls and development regulations that sought to place
taller buildings in the heart of the core – all good ideas at the time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Now it might be time to gather concerned citizens and smart
minds from many specialties to undertake a new long-range plan, taking into
consideration the unavoidable consequences of the current trends.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>What’s at stake is the loss of urban reputation that could
lead someone speaking of Portland to borrow the famous line from Gertrude Stein: “There is no there there.” It would be a communal loss ranging beyond our pocketbooks. . </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>---Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-80653865552529081662024-02-19T10:38:00.000-08:002024-02-19T13:12:35.745-08:00Is this the 'Long Goodbye?'<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniGX060Q4eQLRVFDm0J-OzP54g-Ue-Z9bQv-kFO_t3l9IlzqBTzTxOafeaSjv1ViDMkGyu__2dzsLcquwYtRcHvP9Tqxt1Rn0xkRZbCs2UdN4QqSYVqjTcMXEFrayEdFTO5E_2dFOyCAbPAAgbvJYYG3jxwiLCokMfhmvmiKzi5i5YtpKetLgUgAMokSQ/s671/lincoln.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="483" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniGX060Q4eQLRVFDm0J-OzP54g-Ue-Z9bQv-kFO_t3l9IlzqBTzTxOafeaSjv1ViDMkGyu__2dzsLcquwYtRcHvP9Tqxt1Rn0xkRZbCs2UdN4QqSYVqjTcMXEFrayEdFTO5E_2dFOyCAbPAAgbvJYYG3jxwiLCokMfhmvmiKzi5i5YtpKetLgUgAMokSQ/w460-h640/lincoln.JPG" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone...soon to be forgotten?</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thousands of residents apparently responded when Portland officials
asked late last year for responses to an internet survey </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">about whether to return historic statutes that
had been illegally removed from city parks in 2020.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alas, now that the survey deadline has passed, the survey
results evidently never will be disclosed.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many people apparently objected to the bias they believed they saw and independent number-crunchers found that none of the answers met the standards of statistical
significance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus the City Council is expected on Feb. 28 to wade into
public review of a proposed two-page policy that clearly makes public impressions about
diversity, inclusion and equity more important than someone’s historical
significance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the face of it, that means goodbye, Abe Lincoln; adios,
Teddy Roosevelt; and farewell, George Washington. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can review the proposed policy here: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.portland.gov/ryan/news/2024/1/30/immediate-release-commissioner-ryan-proposes-draft-policy-criteria-review">https://www.portland.gov/ryan/news/2024/1/30/immediate-release-commissioner-ryan-proposes-draft-policy-criteria-review</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">policy tries to include some other options,
like expanding the historical context for public figures who have come under
attack for views that were not publicly prominent in their own eras. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are people who think the issue of “presentism” of modern political correctness, so to speak, should not outweigh the historical significance of an important
person.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The proposed policy includes a cumbersome
review process for artworks that have been called into question by residents
who feel offended by them, ultimately leading to a recommendation to the
Portland City Council.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the overriding reason for disqualifying a work of public art is this: “</span><span style="background: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">The subject or impact of
a piece of artwork is significantly at odds with (the) City’s values of antiracism
and equity.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #15191e;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">Compromises may be possible.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">One idea being explored informally is the “president’s exception” that
would allow the return of Lincoln and Roosevelt to their historic bases in the
South Park Blocks, and moving George Washington to Washington Park.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">(The Thomas Jefferson statue belongs to
Portland Public Schools, so the school board would have jurisdiction.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">Experts who have studied the proposed city policy say it
contradicts some other codified city planning regulations.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">One requirement is that statues listed on the
city’s own historic inventory would have to be reviewed by the Portland Historic
Landmarks Commission.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">The landmarks
commission is scheduled to discuss this point at a meeting on Feb. 26. Anyone interested in testifying at the Zoom meeting can sign up here: <a href="https://www.portland.gov/bds/landmarks/events/2024/2/26/2-26-24-historic-landmarks-commission-hearing-agenda">https://www.portland.gov/bds/landmarks/events/2024/2/26/2-26-24-historic-landmarks-commission-hearing-agenda</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #15191e;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">Just two days later, the City Council is scheduled to
consider the proposed policy submitted by Commissioner Dan Ryan.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">One can imagine that no speedy or lasting
answer can be expected quickly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #15191e;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">----Fred Leeson</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #15191e;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15191e; font-family: inherit;">Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-51188587622539846922024-02-13T13:09:00.000-08:002024-02-13T13:09:45.023-08:00Square one...again<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzexCYow2ZjA3EYAX79DhsuraEGudGxK1r1Z2noeCMxmRfntdrFsmlGsyUjsMtc8vXzgrxf-I81QAMm3W8VDwAnlwxsUPgN8Y1KK5B4jtsNvoPLWeJ2O7al_VjAjqIm2r2QwA-xzWSQs00150Bs0HYouZI3ArQqnfop0BC4d8UqQJVwDh5MNFYeorDEMgi/s2216/ladd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2216" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzexCYow2ZjA3EYAX79DhsuraEGudGxK1r1Z2noeCMxmRfntdrFsmlGsyUjsMtc8vXzgrxf-I81QAMm3W8VDwAnlwxsUPgN8Y1KK5B4jtsNvoPLWeJ2O7al_VjAjqIm2r2QwA-xzWSQs00150Bs0HYouZI3ArQqnfop0BC4d8UqQJVwDh5MNFYeorDEMgi/w640-h432/ladd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> The subject of a heroic Portland architectural preservation
“save” finds itself in limbo again thanks to the pandemic and disarray
downtown.<p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 1883 Ladd Carriage House, one of downtown’s last and
most artistic wooden buildings, is now up for sale following the closure of the
upscale Raven & Rose restaurant and bar near the end of 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While its landmark status likely will save it
from demolition, there is now way of knowing what its future holds until a new
buyer takes control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though its windows are now boarded up for protection, the
building is still turn-key ready for use as a restaurant and bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in its many earlier decades, the one-time
horse and carriage barn also housed retail shops, a dance hall, architectural
office, construction office and a law office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The historic three-story building was threatened with
demolition starting in 2004.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
considerable hand-wringing and advocacy by preservation advocates, the building
was jacked up and moved three blocks where it sat in a parking lot in 2007 and
2008 while underground parking was constructed on its original site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Upon its return, the building needed a lot of restorative
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A tremendous amount of time and treasure went into saving the
building and converting it into a first rate restaurant,” said Paul Falsetto,
an architect deeply involved in the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I can only hope the eventual new ownership would continue with that
use.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Among old-building lovers, the carriage house is significant for
its interesting design and exterior craftsmanship, as well as for its historic
connections to downtown and to William S. Ladd, a pioneer businessman, banker,
developer and early Portland mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
glorified horse barn as built across what was then S.W. 7th Ave. (now Broadway)
from Ladd’s 30-room mansion that was demolished in the 1920s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Falsetto said the carriage house “<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #242424; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">displays
its historic value to the city through its elaborate exterior visage, and the
advantage of a restaurant use is that people can experience its interior as
well. The second floor ‘hayloft’ is one of the great historic spaces of its
era, with its original and unique truss work in full display.”</span><span style="color: #242424;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #242424; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Unlike the long-departed Ladd mansion, the carriage house was
designed in the English Stick Style by architect Joseph Sherwin, a native of
England. It is Sherwin’s only known work
in Portland. In its original guise, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">the structure included space for
twelve horses, Ladd’s personal carriages, a hayloft, and residential quarters
for the estate’s coachman and gardener.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Raven & Rose restaurant, which opened in 2011, was hurt
economically by the pandemic and by homeless campers who set up tents along the
Columbia Street frontage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Portland
has made efforts to clean up the tent sites, downtown remains less populated
during daytime and evening hours because many employees continue working from
home instead of downtown offices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those of us who believe that vibrant urban centers mark a pinnacle
of civilization have to wonder how downtown Portland and urban centers will
survive in the years ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“F<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; padding: 0in;">or downtown Portland to regain
its stature after a challenging past few years, we need our important buildings
to return back to full life,” Falsetto says.
“A reenergized Ladd Carriage House would be a shining example of this,
and show yet again that reinvigorated historic properties link past civic pride
with positive hope for our city’s future.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;">By the way, the asking price is $3.5 million,
should you be interested. Is it negotiable?
Likely so. You can see more images of the building at the real estate
listing site here: </span><a href="https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1331-SW-Broadway-St-Portland-OR/28306478/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0563c1; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;">https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1331-SW-Broadway-St-Portland-OR/28306478/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">----Fred Leeson</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #242424; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #242424;">Join Building on History’s email list by
writing “add me” to </span><a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #242424; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-52002934210169298822024-02-05T16:17:00.000-08:002024-02-06T14:46:56.746-08:00'Enlightenment' in Portland Parks<p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXpJ8XjjaUc7WzYiAVoA6BmoOEnOHrK0OH53P6C-c2p7mVR_urtJCksrSJEuWMBpj6FKRfNjnivxVdb3slkM4OLlJKMlDgdexxJsZDoNLFwFt2LxQXc1XH4hLFu0tni3O1R0DZmynNC5RPrUy15GF2h2cgXg1-g21fzV_4yGpC3v5rAiIhpD6E1fWlzmJ/s4032/Colonel%20Summers%20Park%20new%20lightpole%2011-2-2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXpJ8XjjaUc7WzYiAVoA6BmoOEnOHrK0OH53P6C-c2p7mVR_urtJCksrSJEuWMBpj6FKRfNjnivxVdb3slkM4OLlJKMlDgdexxJsZDoNLFwFt2LxQXc1XH4hLFu0tni3O1R0DZmynNC5RPrUy15GF2h2cgXg1-g21fzV_4yGpC3v5rAiIhpD6E1fWlzmJ/w480-h640/Colonel%20Summers%20Park%20new%20lightpole%2011-2-2023.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New pole and light (Portland Parks Bureau)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Preservation advocates had good reason to be worried last
year when the Portland Parks Bureau started removing iconic vintage light poles
from several parks, citing and damage from water and rust.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Parks Bureau’s spotty record on preservation over the
years prompted concerns about what the new lights might look like. But now there is good news: For all but the
most particular observers, the new poles and lights will look substantially
indistinguishable from the old ones.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Of course a lot of people simply won’t care what the new
ones look like. However, lights are a
contributing element to the appearance of a historic park … especially at night
when their electric glow adds an attractive ambiance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Because 88 lights and poles will be replaced in and near Mt.
Tabor Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the
new equipment needed approval from the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission.</p><p class="MsoNormal">By a vote of 4-1, the majority found that the proposed poles
and lights were “close enough” in appearance to the old ones that date to the
mid-1920s. (The park itself was created in 1909.) Brett Horner, the Parks Bureau planning
manager, said the new poles already have been placed in Duniway and Laurelhurst
Parks, and also will be used as replacements elsewhere.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHpKsHw-qBJiXTTyKA4oo6p5yge-Urmyr6v4HsYzqyneCgOkGdyVGFvKBjFBpyN7ASqG1OCtH892kNoRAquGCbWlpggWlCnarSn8P0EHiRpjk2iWE5EP_hLlgflIabItsroamhqAS1XfFkm71TxPUmgfKZfssUx4269QHlo_YEE6pmuuEuES2qPupibI/s1125/Light%20pole%20to%20be%20replaced_3%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHpKsHw-qBJiXTTyKA4oo6p5yge-Urmyr6v4HsYzqyneCgOkGdyVGFvKBjFBpyN7ASqG1OCtH892kNoRAquGCbWlpggWlCnarSn8P0EHiRpjk2iWE5EP_hLlgflIabItsroamhqAS1XfFkm71TxPUmgfKZfssUx4269QHlo_YEE6pmuuEuES2qPupibI/w426-h640/Light%20pole%20to%20be%20replaced_3%20(1).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old light and pole (Portland Parks Bureau)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><o:p> </o:p>The only significant difference in appearance is that the
old poles showed a slightly taller polygonal base. Otherwise the poles and glass fixtures are
substantially indistinguishable. One advantage of the new fixtures is that they
will not allow light to escape from their tops to help reduce light pollution
at night.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Horner said the old poles were attached to steel wires
wrapped around rebar staples inserted in concrete. As water inevitably worked its way into the
concrete poles, the steel wire suffered from corrosion, making them eligible
for falling over. Water intrusions also
leads to cracking and flaking in the concrete.
Horner said the old anchoring system was a “very deficient design.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Unlike the old poles, the new ones will be sunk five feet
into the ground. Horner said holes will
be bored only slightly larger than the bases of the new poles.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Maya Foty, the landmarks commissioner who voted against the
light plan, said she wasn’t convinced the Parks Bureau had done enough research
to determine that all lights in Mt. Tabor Park needed to be replaced. She also noted the differing appearance of
the poles at ground level.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p><br /><br />buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-78762185071098276392024-01-29T15:50:00.000-08:002024-01-29T15:50:41.737-08:00Fred Meyer's 'Mistake' Earning Acclaim<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnmAJLHsyGaNcak5FZ6TneYUYMnJoAA5OFlh6W8HETOAcH5fd8yquwSc1SmAblabQOj2rz9MitFjss2WKL3-EzaNZUftFX2iE8viehV-UiJK0r2S9K4EZ6HD-TZV27slUhMemwrdMAMlvcrqCfkaQkgjRSM6sIU0QvI-J1fEXlbTEgbRYcr0Jg7RKLPs/s980/alderway%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="980" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnmAJLHsyGaNcak5FZ6TneYUYMnJoAA5OFlh6W8HETOAcH5fd8yquwSc1SmAblabQOj2rz9MitFjss2WKL3-EzaNZUftFX2iE8viehV-UiJK0r2S9K4EZ6HD-TZV27slUhMemwrdMAMlvcrqCfkaQkgjRSM6sIU0QvI-J1fEXlbTEgbRYcr0Jg7RKLPs/w640-h436/alderway%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alderway Building<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The economy was booming in 1927 when a Portland entrepreneur
with a background in selling groceries undertook his real desire at the time:
property development.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Fred G. Meyer assumed the 99-year lease on the Pantages
Theater at the corner of SW Broadway and Alder Street. He used the steel structure of the former
1400-seat vaudeville theater to build a four story building with ground floor
retail – still a somewhat novel idea for SW Broadway as Portland’s retail core
was shifting westward from Third and Fourth Avenues.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Today the Alderway Building is Portland’s latest nomination to
be considered for the National Register of Historic Places. Completed in 1928, its upper stories with
large Chicago-style windows, metal spandrels and brick pilasters are
substanti8ally unchanged. The nomination
form finds the building notable for its architecture and for its history in the
evolution of downtown retailing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Alas, the timing wasn’t good for Fred Meyer. The building had been completed for hardy one
year when the Great Depression heavily crippled the national economy for more
than a decade. One of the Alderway’s
successful ground floor tenants, however, was Fred Meyer Toiletries and
Remedies, an early venture into self-service sales of nostrums and
cosmetics. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGTHJswkI1cyiN3e2-7JVeKZSgXOq9RZO2aGQG_UftUH2YR3yQuBs-4kj0rb2jzxh7XWvLVcV-QbHyicA1AMXum9FYQWaJBXBSCmhx63QV2UcBvXCoR5WWmT9XKSzw_7jeODtdh1KiUC1kU-Ux7BJgFDm9NPAQz7CmOZd1N_duxhu4krPn4Fn6m3ta2Lc/s1090/alderway3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1090" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGTHJswkI1cyiN3e2-7JVeKZSgXOq9RZO2aGQG_UftUH2YR3yQuBs-4kj0rb2jzxh7XWvLVcV-QbHyicA1AMXum9FYQWaJBXBSCmhx63QV2UcBvXCoR5WWmT9XKSzw_7jeODtdh1KiUC1kU-Ux7BJgFDm9NPAQz7CmOZd1N_duxhu4krPn4Fn6m3ta2Lc/w640-h318/alderway3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(National Register Nomination Form)</td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Meyer eventually convinced druggists to join his stores as prescription-selling
pharmacies, which became a key ingredient in Meyer’s slowly evolving concept of
one-stop shopping. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tenure at the
Alderway Building also included a dry-cleaning and laundry outlet, from which
he began selling men’s underwear – and got him interest in the apparel
business.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meyer was asked once when he first thought of the one-stop
shopping concept. His answer: Never – he
was taking advantage of opportunities as he came across them.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With his growing success as a regional merchandising giant,
Meyer seldom mentioned his failures. His
mindset was always looking ahead. At
some point in the Depression, he gave up control of the Alderway lease and once
said he lost $50,000 – likely his largest business “mistake” in his long
career. The episode terminated his
interest in property development for its own sake. All his “development” thereafter was building
Fred Meyer stores.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Architects for the Alderway Building were Claussen &
Claussen, two brothers who operated successfully in Portland for many
years. During the Depression the Claussens
renovated a few buildings that Meyer purchased and converted to Fred Meyer
stores before his big Post World War II boom. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">------Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
fredleeson@hotmail.com </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-53847228797487463982024-01-23T09:33:00.000-08:002024-01-23T10:13:47.649-08:00Recognizing Portland's LGBTQ+ History<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu_hrBSxW-XBAc67qUE9bJtPZWVnIzzOhRbiarI2d63TH3xDHniq97LCHC3PgYTXdxE_X6DMgUVip04XZJ7Eb-9mCNsHcGD-sMUrLyPaogpp3V_Uz6MEFVulm-8C2Z1Kg4dl9Q8cZ7WJATscdXQ4DBsZ94xR1GiUcbB2_QXXw78nZDqIsgTBDiaUMdhbo/s393/majestic%20hotel.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="306" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu_hrBSxW-XBAc67qUE9bJtPZWVnIzzOhRbiarI2d63TH3xDHniq97LCHC3PgYTXdxE_X6DMgUVip04XZJ7Eb-9mCNsHcGD-sMUrLyPaogpp3V_Uz6MEFVulm-8C2Z1Kg4dl9Q8cZ7WJATscdXQ4DBsZ94xR1GiUcbB2_QXXw78nZDqIsgTBDiaUMdhbo/w498-h640/majestic%20hotel.JPG" width="498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Majestic, Now Crystal, Hotel (National Register form)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In its quest to recognize Portland’s historical diversity,
the city is proposing to add to the National Register of Historic Places two
sites frequently used by the city’s LGBTQ+ residents in an era between 1948 and 1985.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One is the former Majestic Hotel – now known as the Crystal
Hotel at 1217 SW Harvey Milk St. -- which from 1969 to 1985 offered baths,
hotel rooms, a bar and restaurant aimed at serving LGBTQ+ customers. The area came to be known informally known as Portland’s gay triangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of its enterprises was the Club Portland bathing site that operated
from 1969 to 1985, and is believed to be the city’s first LGBTQ+-associated
business.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, the Crystal Hotel, which was renovated in 2009, is
part of the McMenamin entertainment and lodging chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building itself was added to the National
Register in 2009 as a contributing member to downtown Portland’s commercial
growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LGBTQ+ history would be an
addendum to the earlier listing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The building, more than any other in Portland, provided an
affirming focus on an LGBTQ+ population, hosting a unique combination of uses
supporting and protecting the queer community,” the nomination states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotel and baths were vital places where
socio-medical workers strived to provide information about HIV and AIDS in the
early 1980s. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Brandon Spencer-Hartle, the city's historic resources manager, said the federal government is encouraging local jurisdictions to make their historic landmark designations more inclusive concerning human diversity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNwyWEGeBZ2XGU3tcPnmntBuygmn-se16sF5MGWQ3iK3YA9a7d7K_8YJ-sZu_4YGg13FnHxeGHW9MEUJfwpMqj4NGoJB9p47Q6QcSe7r3tgqFFPbc2o73hMj53ww4VLGu-uxtE2Rrij_0QX32VMKBz1-Ibz8sOpveYtJ-L_P2wI-cVTiTIauWmAM5QdI8/s697/erv%20lind%20field.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="697" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNwyWEGeBZ2XGU3tcPnmntBuygmn-se16sF5MGWQ3iK3YA9a7d7K_8YJ-sZu_4YGg13FnHxeGHW9MEUJfwpMqj4NGoJB9p47Q6QcSe7r3tgqFFPbc2o73hMj53ww4VLGu-uxtE2Rrij_0QX32VMKBz1-Ibz8sOpveYtJ-L_P2wI-cVTiTIauWmAM5QdI8/w640-h406/erv%20lind%20field.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normandale Field, 1948 (National Register form)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The second site proposed for the national listing is the Erv
Lind Field in Northeast Portland’s Normandale Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Built in 1948 a national American Softball
Association women’s championship tournament, it was first called Normandale
Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name was changed in 1965 in
honor of Portland businessman whose Erv Lind Florists team was a frequent
national competitor in women’s fast-pitch softball competition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erv Lind died in 1964 and his team imploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At their peak in the early 1960s, the Florists
drew several thousand paying customers to their games in Normandale Park. The
field continues in active softball use, despite the decline of women’s softball
as a semi-professional sport. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Competitive team sports opportunities were rare for young
women in the 1950s and 60s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some
players were lesbians or bisexual, they were instructed to appear neat, tidy
and well behaved.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Players, whether they were lesbian, bisexual, or straight,
grew up together and stood outside of the societal norms together for this
period of time, because they were athletes. The 1950s caricature of the mannish
lesbian athlete affected all of the players, reminding them to publicly
maintain a heterosexual, feminine identity,” the nomination states.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regardless of their sexuality, the teammates developed comradery
and lasting friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The softball
field became a welcome place to socialize and enjoy sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National interest in the sport declined after
the middle 1960s.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Detailed histories of both these sites were researched and
written by Kristen Minor, a former member of the Portland Historic Landmarks
Commission. With approval from the
commission, the nominations will be forwarded to the State Advisory Committee on
Historic Preservation on Feb. 16. If
approved by the state committee, the nominations will be sent to the Interior
Department for final consideration.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-------Fred Leeson<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History’s mailing list by writing “add me”
to <a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-82223850923937741492024-01-13T19:25:00.000-08:002024-01-13T19:25:01.388-08:00Update on the David Campbell Memorial <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXZyGaW1-mm2s_vp7W-WMW7Yjas3xrNA31_uZD7vKA88zY4l4ZPs86rr-2m6GJcYSt8WqKFKMNc_Og0F7rGz98VPm1Gauud6CVsa3r1MMMFNSi9bNGkxtfCbpD9K1nZZ9ttHKhZ7QuSJ8Oo1gbgL5t5tF6CmHXXeBwSR17ruWst5ZkJ397lqRmLuspdpr/s1409/firemen's%20fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1409" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXZyGaW1-mm2s_vp7W-WMW7Yjas3xrNA31_uZD7vKA88zY4l4ZPs86rr-2m6GJcYSt8WqKFKMNc_Og0F7rGz98VPm1Gauud6CVsa3r1MMMFNSi9bNGkxtfCbpD9K1nZZ9ttHKhZ7QuSJ8Oo1gbgL5t5tF6CmHXXeBwSR17ruWst5ZkJ397lqRmLuspdpr/w640-h434/firemen's%20fountain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The good news is that temporary chain-link fencing has
reduced vandalism, graffiti and trash inflicted on the David Campbell Memorial that
has stood at SW Alder and 18th Ave. since 1928.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The better news is that sometime in the future, the fencing
will disappear and a new Portland Firefighter’s Memorial Plaza will adjoin the
Campbell monument that honors the city’s fire chief who lost his life fighting
a major Southeast waterfront fire in 1911.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ironically, most Portlanders know nothing about Campbell or
efforts to honor 76 Portland firefighters killed over the years while trying to
save Portland residents and property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plans developed by the David Campbell Memorial Association seek to do a
better job honoring all fallen firefighters while bringing more attention to David Campbell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no deadline for completing the plaza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don Porth, a retired firefighter and
president of the memorial association, hopes to raise roughly another $1
million to pay for the improvements.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWErFyo6axlObzZdQbgffvBw8dbOgHrGTe2w8wt0Xh71c6bSYan9II7tPfaRTJlAQXLQRq2-CDsMQ3JeWbAuvj27s8QydoG2VWUWvdcmazLjIQmSNPxYg78BuTc6z9uxuS2Qbz1Tdmx81gGlgPViX6dhNmM2imbeytNj7LU2yyo6liYiKzprnodhYj3_Ag/s744/campbell%20memoriakl%20plan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="744" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWErFyo6axlObzZdQbgffvBw8dbOgHrGTe2w8wt0Xh71c6bSYan9II7tPfaRTJlAQXLQRq2-CDsMQ3JeWbAuvj27s8QydoG2VWUWvdcmazLjIQmSNPxYg78BuTc6z9uxuS2Qbz1Tdmx81gGlgPViX6dhNmM2imbeytNj7LU2yyo6liYiKzprnodhYj3_Ag/w640-h400/campbell%20memoriakl%20plan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rendering of proposed plaza (David Campbell Memorial Association)</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">“We are not doing anything difficult,” he says of the
plan. “It will reflect the character
of Portland firefighters – hard-working, determined, reliable – not fancy.” He added, “Our goal is to provide better
explanations and to make it more inviting.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So far, Portland firefighters have raised $131,000 for the
project, and the Portland City Council has added $350,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Porth, who has been working steadily on plans
for over two years, hopes to raise additional funds from businesses and
neighborhood groups in the area and from interested citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Potential donors can find how to contribute at
DavidCampbellMemorial.org. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The historic memorial and its bronze urns (now removed for
restoration) were designed by Paul Cret, a University of Pennsylvania professor
who was a leading Beaux-Arts designer of the era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Porth said retired Portland architect William
J. Hawkins III, who is deeply devoted to protecting Portland’s public artworks,
helped design the new plaza to be finished as soon as funds are available.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Porth said he also hopes to develop sufficient money to
provide an endowment for future maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Legally, the irregular triangle on which the memorial sits
is part of a right-of-way owned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Porth said a stewardship agreement has been
reached with the city that allows the Portland Fire Bureau and the Portland
Firefighters’ Association more control over the memorial’s maintenance. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chances are, almost every Portland citizens recognizes this memorial, but few know what it is about. The improvements will be a welcome change. </p><p class="MsoNormal">-----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History's email list by writing "add me" to fredleeson@hotmail.com </p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-65338352603763827972023-12-27T15:07:00.000-08:002023-12-27T15:07:02.071-08:00New Life at The Sandy Jug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAg1VBu_rAPV1AmAIFapZkayaEk_5z5TPDhKVX5OxoMaUwvtkZkDJK2Qf-5yzJrZA2d-3E6sKI3Hz19Zfma21OObwJku9omOIsKxzH71ik-2pve7fXfYsCxXDhp44r2Km8f5F_MRFDOlBTARBe96BCacocDpEtBHrQ1tUoXindNZHmTd4vOFMUobvKWAB/s3336/sandyjug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3336" data-original-width="2324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAg1VBu_rAPV1AmAIFapZkayaEk_5z5TPDhKVX5OxoMaUwvtkZkDJK2Qf-5yzJrZA2d-3E6sKI3Hz19Zfma21OObwJku9omOIsKxzH71ik-2pve7fXfYsCxXDhp44r2Km8f5F_MRFDOlBTARBe96BCacocDpEtBHrQ1tUoXindNZHmTd4vOFMUobvKWAB/w446-h640/sandyjug.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is no need for architectural vocabulary to describe
the Sandy Jug. One glance says it
all. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After serving for decades as a strip club, this 96-year landmark
at 7414 NE Sandy Blvd. is being remodeled into a new business where patrons and
servers will be fully clothed. More on
that later.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Jug (also called by punsters The Sandy Jugs during its
stripper era) was one of three unusual buildings erected in the 1920s that
visually represented the businesses inside.
The Big Shoe at NE 20th Ave. (now long gone) was a shoe repair
shop. The Steigerwald Dairy building with
its big milk bottle at NE 37th Ave. remains, but the bottle was encircled
decades ago with a newer façade. (A
little-known fact is that the bottle still survives inside.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXIRUGQZkKpuu4boUpij3DUeOQve-jK9Xaxhu8oo7rz422sGgkPQGpH0ivsKXwiHXJ9WNYtGmbwY7u_coYZMBv2-6ZfCeSOdak9-1soXB2KC2lBIIutOJXUworK7HwuVS6iAStuK2fRzhMUdtHINPwleY3Fr4nqQxk4b4ctGRmKPVwwEptTq51j7uJyu-/s620/steigerwald.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="611" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXIRUGQZkKpuu4boUpij3DUeOQve-jK9Xaxhu8oo7rz422sGgkPQGpH0ivsKXwiHXJ9WNYtGmbwY7u_coYZMBv2-6ZfCeSOdak9-1soXB2KC2lBIIutOJXUworK7HwuVS6iAStuK2fRzhMUdtHINPwleY3Fr4nqQxk4b4ctGRmKPVwwEptTq51j7uJyu-/w394-h400/steigerwald.JPG" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Steigerwald Dairy before remodeling</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Both The Big Shoe and the Steigerwald Dairy were designed by
the company owners. The Sandy Jug was
different. It was designed by the
architectural firm of Bennes & Herzog, well known in the era for Portland
theaters (including the Hollywood), several imposing residences of differing
styles and for several buildings on the Oregon State University campus.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One theorizes that the Jug did not rank highly to Bennes
& Herzog on their personal list of accomplishments. Nevertheless, it ranks as a well-known Northeast
Portland landmark even without formal designation; losing it would have been sad,
indeed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The jug originally served as a refreshment venue for an
adjacent gas station, known as the Gusher, which presumably was the primary
business. To attract motorists, the
small triangular lot included an 80-foot faux oil gusher that was removed long
ago. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><o:p> </o:p>Today, the Sandy Jug is being remodeled by a company headed
by Marcus Archambeault and Warren Boothby, who in recent years have revitalized
several old-school bars in Portland including The Alibi, The Sandy Hut and
Holman’s. Their business philosophy is
to take old so-called dive bars and to revive them into attractive, popular
destinations.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>So far, the exterior of The Sandy Jug has been tastefully repainted
and narrow vertical windows that were boarded up during the strip club years
have been restored with glass bricks, largely restoring the jug to its original
appearance. A covered patio has been
added with outdoor seating – for clientele when the weather is appropriate. An opening date for the new enterprise has
not been announced.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those of us who enjoy a tall cold one from time to time may
well be able to help usher The Sandy Jug into its second century. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>-------Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p> </p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-92108093340323739422023-12-23T14:27:00.000-08:002023-12-23T14:28:06.765-08:00Looking Back on 2023<p> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeYT3g1iIOhkt9ZTYDLBctQ28DxJwl6Hste3ux4m7_9_5Pcseoue0xEsnFnTPOpJOKJiZqWhEwQoWzYQw3-To6eJ3Y-H7ZQBf6i0aAPtlQTQIsytxPNOcEmI9iqCiPbqXsQLjB8WpysowX3IojJmtzJoyKi-xUUVgpVGeqO_G6t92A9HeZ3Xm7BJxCl3Y/s3180/oregontheater2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1881" data-original-width="3180" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeYT3g1iIOhkt9ZTYDLBctQ28DxJwl6Hste3ux4m7_9_5Pcseoue0xEsnFnTPOpJOKJiZqWhEwQoWzYQw3-To6eJ3Y-H7ZQBf6i0aAPtlQTQIsytxPNOcEmI9iqCiPbqXsQLjB8WpysowX3IojJmtzJoyKi-xUUVgpVGeqO_G6t92A9HeZ3Xm7BJxCl3Y/w640-h378/oregontheater2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theater of Tomorrow<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>While some encouraging architectural preservation projects
are currently in progress, 2023 was more notable for its losses than for completed successes.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>On the bright side, the former Oregon Theater, erected in
1926, has been returned to productive cultural use – after decades as a porn
theater – as the new home of the Northwest Film Study Center. It now bears the unwieldy name of PAM-CUT,
with an associated title of Theater of Tomorrow. (At least the latter makes sense.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The thoroughly cleaned and brightened 376-seat theater will
be the home of movies and live cultural entertainment, sponsored in conjunction
with its corporate parent, the Portland Art Museum. Saving the historic theater also preserves
retail spaces fronting on the 3500 block of SE Division. The best possible result in the preservation
world is to restore an old building successfully to its original use.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQh6BvX_ZD90JvrY51-6weq4vE1UYa86m4FduRxq9Ugu8byGw2xCuRA84TWmyYnMlz6duEAR-F-mF3GLM6f4mp3cgl_zo6VIsUNkGVBgj9JZZQcLISqZs7WdC9G1B94f0FYd1l9kI7x_-XtRgHtUPMdX1DNhKF9f25M84bOVnQ0dOoNnPfg6ZoH5B65o0/s3395/psu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2329" data-original-width="3395" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQh6BvX_ZD90JvrY51-6weq4vE1UYa86m4FduRxq9Ugu8byGw2xCuRA84TWmyYnMlz6duEAR-F-mF3GLM6f4mp3cgl_zo6VIsUNkGVBgj9JZZQcLISqZs7WdC9G1B94f0FYd1l9kI7x_-XtRgHtUPMdX1DNhKF9f25M84bOVnQ0dOoNnPfg6ZoH5B65o0/w640-h440/psu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The late Parkway Manor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">On the downside, 2024 marked the demolition of the Parkway
Manor, a charming Art Deco apartment building, later owned by Portland State
University for student housing that faced the South Park Blocks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PSU chose to let the building deteriorate over
the years, until it could make the case that rehabilitation was too
expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The university has nothing in
mind so far to replace it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for
the chain-link fence, PSU.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Another loss was the closure of U.S. Bank’s historic and
elegant banking floor in the historic building that once served as the bank’s
headquarters. At least the building
designed by A.E. Doyle is still in good condition, and one hopes that a successful
use can be found for the ornate main floor without compromising its aesthetic
integrity. One wonders that if the bank
had not fled to Minneapolis many years ago whether management would have decided
on closure. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH62T83VL9E7NTcsbOCP-Iu3FaQWiNwLAai4sZShY1mOkmsvn9cFPge7qWoG2opFunqG3UOJzOlZNtdBTtHNcFJkNAPCY9BfvovRiPbzMaQ_2QFrJoj_S5m8yVe8bapk-KsUXLaglcVwKWidyqwCeTYGW2fF8GTdH72JGIflCmEj5qDwBEZc0T5SvXIYV/s1276/ThePalms_videoScreenShot.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1276" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH62T83VL9E7NTcsbOCP-Iu3FaQWiNwLAai4sZShY1mOkmsvn9cFPge7qWoG2opFunqG3UOJzOlZNtdBTtHNcFJkNAPCY9BfvovRiPbzMaQ_2QFrJoj_S5m8yVe8bapk-KsUXLaglcVwKWidyqwCeTYGW2fF8GTdH72JGIflCmEj5qDwBEZc0T5SvXIYV/w640-h358/ThePalms_videoScreenShot.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In its glory...</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Back on the plus side, the owner of the magnificent but
badly run-down neon sign marking The Palms motor hotel agreed to remove the sign,
restore it and return it to the site when the motel is replaced with an
apartment building. The sign is a great
example of 1950s exuberance when N. Interstate Avenue served as the main
highway to and from Seattle.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We finish with a win-loss scenario. Heroic efforts by the Restore Oregon preservation organization to restore and find a new home for the former Jantzen Beach carousel
finally met with success after several years.
Alas, the new home will be in The Dalles, not Portland. It is unfortunate that Portland could not or
would not find a location for it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When a new building is completed to house the carousel, it
will be another reason to visit the National Neon Sign Museum where it will
reside. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>-----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-26183369886521831792023-12-17T14:38:00.000-08:002023-12-17T14:38:59.896-08:00 Progress on the Elk and Fountain<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatA6mNQ_bpn1aQoAJ8fi_bXma3_2AjZ1bwV6BqvrdLJT4k0t_c4Lxzb6Hpo7RZVygE6UD1LkhkD-c49QIU4YHl1SMbHd0uGDg9qb2GUbxKaf7SE763AsGlTpcelI_AubVRkmdgjWO6m1GMdgI8J5HWTX4oVWnpsOJxDK9B8RVYPoTP28W6ey3FKBiA10E/s791/elksketch1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="791" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatA6mNQ_bpn1aQoAJ8fi_bXma3_2AjZ1bwV6BqvrdLJT4k0t_c4Lxzb6Hpo7RZVygE6UD1LkhkD-c49QIU4YHl1SMbHd0uGDg9qb2GUbxKaf7SE763AsGlTpcelI_AubVRkmdgjWO6m1GMdgI8J5HWTX4oVWnpsOJxDK9B8RVYPoTP28W6ey3FKBiA10E/w640-h518/elksketch1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Architectural Resources Group)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Yes, it is taking a long time for the City of Portland to
return the D.P. Thompson elk statue and fountain to its historic location, from
whence they were damaged by protesters and then removed by the city removed in
2020.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Alas, the project is not as simple as it might seem. Despite some dithering about which city
agency would be in charge, the project requires some time-consuming steps. Such as refabricating 17 pieces of granite
that were either destroyed or too damaged to be repaired, and plumbing in a new
water recirculation system. A new concrete
foundation must be laid and the elk sculpture itself be braced for an
earthquake.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Another difficult issue is determining what contractor is
able to perform this challenging historical project. The city is required to accept the minimum
bidder, and the Water Bureau try will protect itself by qualifying eligible
bidders who can demonstrate their expertise.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVFr4oFJRz5e2p5bSHHGLbtin77LG_czvP7bZKWwYemDmz5LnKnQXIy9DjSDRGILAb7twS82snZVm_zw9xz5P4T1239ZFYNfDwXgnk_i04OiN0hcIGPaWshFUCVPIRLK40-2YE3UwV_7R-z4lPHy2-YzJb6fk21fiw34hFSd4M4Hlmzv8svuG8WaGdwSZ/s660/elksketch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="660" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVFr4oFJRz5e2p5bSHHGLbtin77LG_czvP7bZKWwYemDmz5LnKnQXIy9DjSDRGILAb7twS82snZVm_zw9xz5P4T1239ZFYNfDwXgnk_i04OiN0hcIGPaWshFUCVPIRLK40-2YE3UwV_7R-z4lPHy2-YzJb6fk21fiw34hFSd4M4Hlmzv8svuG8WaGdwSZ/w640-h522/elksketch2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaded areas show granite to be refabricated. (Architectural Resources Group)</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The City Council in May, 2022, voted to restore the elk and
fountain after it had been removed two years earlier. Current estimates suggest a completion time
will be late next year.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Historically, the fountain --gift from an early Portland
mayor – was intended to provide drinking water for horses and dogs. All four watering troughs were damaged beyond
repair, in part from fires that were set when the fountain was dry. A protective measure might be to let water
sit in them even when not circulating, possibly with use of mild
antifreeze. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Typically, the water was turned off for up to six months per
year. The recirculating water system is
expected to save 6.8 million gallons if it were to operate all 12 months. That would be enough water to service 146 houses,
according to the Water Bureau.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">William J. Hawkins III, a retired architect whose efforts
ultimately led to the restoration plans, told the Portland Historic Landmarks
Commission that he has seen signs of destruction at the original site, which is
now mounded with dirt and plantings. “Perhaps
someone is still out there to damage this fountain,” he said.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peggy Moretti, a landmarks commission member, suggested that
the final plan include bollards that could protect the fountain and statue from
vehicular damage. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The commission reviewed the restoration plans at the 60
percent stage of design. A final review
will occur presumably in the first quarter of 2024. “I think we are getting everything we want,”
said Commissioner Matthew Roman. When
the work is ultimately finished, “This should be a proud moment.” </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>-----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s mailing list by writing “add me”
to <a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-70399927867470845972023-12-09T14:26:00.000-08:002023-12-09T14:26:25.479-08:00A Boost for Foster Road<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQHeKUNqRzlEj5F58RIWaQi6GsQY1zZuBw9H7bvfeORjbjVzvv6CaDk85DiyLaaSjZQGh7v0_5Q_IUAByaRn8iIFacMBo407cv6soUwL3m4tpVDb72NDVCkrG2g2VrFawaESxoI_DOcCfpXz6j6f0krdLs3hdXdQN-VScQwVMuIRGW7WHH05ycODPLu2C/s2744/foster%20theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="2744" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQHeKUNqRzlEj5F58RIWaQi6GsQY1zZuBw9H7bvfeORjbjVzvv6CaDk85DiyLaaSjZQGh7v0_5Q_IUAByaRn8iIFacMBo407cv6soUwL3m4tpVDb72NDVCkrG2g2VrFawaESxoI_DOcCfpXz6j6f0krdLs3hdXdQN-VScQwVMuIRGW7WHH05ycODPLu2C/w640-h466/foster%20theater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Encouraging work is progressing on S.E. Foster Road to
restore a 108-year old theater building into active use as a performing arts
venue.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Classical Ballet Academy located next door to the
historic Ames Theater at 5516 S.E. Foster Road plans to reopen the re-named
Foster Theater for the Performing Arts next year. The renovation work has already cleaned up
the exterior of the 1915 building and installed a new blade sign and marquee.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Sarah Rigler, director the ballet academy, envisions the old
theater as being used for community events and performing arts. The theater was most recently known as the
Day Music Co., which bought the theater in 1966 and used it mostly for
displaying pianos for sale. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The renovation is a
boost for the Foster Road neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The vacant theater frontage after Day Music’s departure had become a
target for graffiti painters and a site for homeless campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The theater had an original seating capacity of 260.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was built in 1915 by Charles A. Ames, who
managed it for many years into the 1950s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 1929 he had new equipment installed for talking pictures, and the
theater maintained its status as a first-run movie house into the early
1950s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFz_9U77yy7q1zMSgP5rs7vwP9ilWpGCoEOAnFht8kBc9H7q5Oxy4M_IHWYmxI8B95H1zfxJyhoZxvhGlRb9ryhPmZd0wP1L25gFX8WNdWjNtCDtl5S8QpSdmLQcUDtONo0a5EeeKgwO-cNf2T7T2w4H5ylXyehNXLOUE9nI_AJMhBqFkz-pk544aZPPN/s953/ames.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="953" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFz_9U77yy7q1zMSgP5rs7vwP9ilWpGCoEOAnFht8kBc9H7q5Oxy4M_IHWYmxI8B95H1zfxJyhoZxvhGlRb9ryhPmZd0wP1L25gFX8WNdWjNtCDtl5S8QpSdmLQcUDtONo0a5EeeKgwO-cNf2T7T2w4H5ylXyehNXLOUE9nI_AJMhBqFkz-pk544aZPPN/w640-h290/ames.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Oregonian advertisement, 1966)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </o:p>Day Music Co. had been founded in downtown Portland in
1929. It moved to Foster Road in 1959
before it added the Ames building next door. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rigler intends for the ballet academy to continue teaching
classical ballet as well as new dance forms including jazz and hip hop. Fitness classes also are on the agenda. She founded the academy in 2004.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marquee suggests
that the theater space will become available in the fall of 2024.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, we must hope that the
newly-painted bright white walls will not become a new canvas for illegal
artistic endeavors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">---Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History's email list by writing "add me" to <a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-74292991669193839092023-11-26T15:02:00.000-08:002023-11-26T15:02:02.490-08:00What's Next at Jefferson High School?<p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZwH3aFcOz8bIUsSo8daCJ0xE79UrAlT9wgdKSJFAVs8NP_0L6bxeImz0BBoBWDf23FKpEGFhQKXgTl2SlLFhu_SljJd6Z22T0g7mtFxASOgZvNGrUpaahPnoOEmvBeHqzsVZYRHICoTYfq0eOUtPUXs0_yj0if4_pZyV8UW5dKiD1h-6wkKB_869tBT7/s324/jefferson2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="324" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZwH3aFcOz8bIUsSo8daCJ0xE79UrAlT9wgdKSJFAVs8NP_0L6bxeImz0BBoBWDf23FKpEGFhQKXgTl2SlLFhu_SljJd6Z22T0g7mtFxASOgZvNGrUpaahPnoOEmvBeHqzsVZYRHICoTYfq0eOUtPUXs0_yj0if4_pZyV8UW5dKiD1h-6wkKB_869tBT7/w640-h614/jefferson2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Jefferson High School main entrance</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal">Architects working on a massive Jefferson High School renovation
would like to bring back some of the distinctive architectural elements that
once graced the school when its first building opened in 1909.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tentative plans call for the restoration of a hipped roof
over the main entry and suitable embellishment of the three Romanesque arches that
mark the main portal. Designers also
considered trying to salvage decorative diamond and circular brick patterns in
the original façade, but found that the heavy-duty plaster that buried them
during renovation in the 1950s made salvage impossible.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“This is what we really want to do,” Chandra Robinson, a
principal of Lever Architecture, told the Historic Landmarks Commission at a
recent advisory meeting, referring to the hipped roof and the arches. The latest iteration also would remove berms
that hide some of the lower facade. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not known, however, whether the budget will allow
these restorations – or whether the Jefferson community wants them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Several citizens at an earlier neighborhood meeting said
they would be willing to sacrifice the historic building if a new structure
could be built without sending students off campus for two years while the
overhaul occurs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s not a choice we’ve ever been given,” Robinson said of
a new building replacing the 1909 structure.
The outcome, she said,
ultimately has to be decided by the Portland School Board. Students at other Portland high schools have
been bussed to the old Marshall High building in Southeast Portland while construction
occurred.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBY2_chfdWaavBPmrOkHcyJvrnBtpBDPWaflryhXLzVuPu_9eB1pPuhbZsgxNutsoeRPEPo9Lv9M7edAy5G6kJQihCrZPwTNIvj3Aqk1Ac3VjWIhKmwLtvY5Gtn-QMdQpX_1GOBOaKFzmmCZQQgMBVbJNVpQ4FLxl1GON0370_qrqs5n1Gv4J2DgTHET/s615/jeffnow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="615" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvBY2_chfdWaavBPmrOkHcyJvrnBtpBDPWaflryhXLzVuPu_9eB1pPuhbZsgxNutsoeRPEPo9Lv9M7edAy5G6kJQihCrZPwTNIvj3Aqk1Ac3VjWIhKmwLtvY5Gtn-QMdQpX_1GOBOaKFzmmCZQQgMBVbJNVpQ4FLxl1GON0370_qrqs5n1Gv4J2DgTHET/w640-h536/jeffnow.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's stripped-down version</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Robinson said a final proposed plan for Jefferson likely
will be finished early in 2024. The
latest plans call for removal of a gymnasium built in 1928 that sits south of
the 1909 building. While the old gym has
some attractive architectural details, it fails to meet for modern needs and stands
in the way of plans for a new gym, theater and classrooms that would sit behind
the 1909 building and an open plaza. The current football field and running track would
remain in place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Members of the Landmarks Commission expressed support for
restoring the 1909 building to the extent possible. “The 1909 building is the kind of structure
that we’ll never get back,” said Commissioner Kristen Minor, who is ending an
eight-year term on the commission. “It’s
really hard to look at it in its current form.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Commissioner Kimberly Moreland said the old building “represents
a really unique design for schools of that era.” Despite the unfortunate design changes made
decades ago, the school remains a neighborhood landmark and is a contributing
element of the Piedmont Conservation District, where city regulations attempt
to protect historic qualities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p> </p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-57675224466342428762023-11-21T10:52:00.000-08:002023-11-21T10:52:22.725-08:00Portland Monuments: Your Turn to Speak Out <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qy9qzfu7yj-agfIVJKE4TGqw5HeY0MbJO6305zsTCQhzIb2IEpAcwsddd_JjddrEPo-pii3C5JDr19CZl888cK1cExFfP59ZapeISfHNEi9ZIRdwwJOjij7Hbx5olY0AsyaBdRpzQXlRxkmfG0S4PQOGTvH_NwuTmpntDBL2iOO1SpUcn-IFFphbhaEO/s2027/IMG_20221013_141940577_HDR_2+pedestal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="1418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qy9qzfu7yj-agfIVJKE4TGqw5HeY0MbJO6305zsTCQhzIb2IEpAcwsddd_JjddrEPo-pii3C5JDr19CZl888cK1cExFfP59ZapeISfHNEi9ZIRdwwJOjij7Hbx5olY0AsyaBdRpzQXlRxkmfG0S4PQOGTvH_NwuTmpntDBL2iOO1SpUcn-IFFphbhaEO/w448-h640/IMG_20221013_141940577_HDR_2+pedestal.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should Abe be restored?</td></tr></tbody></table><p> At long last, citizens have a chance to say whether historic
monuments that were removed illegally some three years ago should be returned
or replaced. </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Portland City Council will make the ultimate decision
sometime in 2024. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether monuments that
were removed should be replaced has been a hot-button issue ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never willing to wade into controversy, the
City Council set up a committee that eventually will make recommendations.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, the citizens’ first opportunity to weigh in
comes in the form of an internet questionnaire, which you can find here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.portland.gov/monuments/get-involved">https://www.portland.gov/monuments/get-involved</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A series of public meetings also are to be scheduled early next
year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Preservationists who would like to see the most important monuments
returned are viewing the questionnaire with a moderate dose of skepticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, notice of its existence has been
scant, suggesting that perhaps it is being skewed to a certain audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The questions regarding ethnicity also raise
the possibility that its results will be filtered through the lens of equity,
diversity of inclusion – code words that have come to raise the possibility of
exclusion and discrimination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For sure, quibbles can be raised about all the figures
honored by the monuments – some more than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not necessarily a zero-sum game –
some monuments could be returned and expanded upon with further information,
while others get permanently removed from public view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also is obvious that some elements of
Portland’s diverse population have not been included in the city’s collection
of monuments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The public conversation deserves to be thorough and
honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, take the survey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s try to obtain the most comprehensive
public thoughts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><br />buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-59245242413283718882023-11-10T15:13:00.002-08:002023-11-10T15:13:58.651-08:00Elegance Loses Out<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC70iOTzgzCnbkr5ZY734JWymidU68yKcz5xlTrWO1d1lZkpK50MjoTddQbU7PYv_pxFFWXu6PaQfX4lD6jssq9lTal8l9HCkKW09TmyGLHCZY1MCAD1pxGb7eWph6RM3VSt-LMC58JgPYZhbacslL4vqVhLnO0ACRtaw_K6oAtHacpcAb9ISg55d4dKG/s2911/usbankint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="2779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC70iOTzgzCnbkr5ZY734JWymidU68yKcz5xlTrWO1d1lZkpK50MjoTddQbU7PYv_pxFFWXu6PaQfX4lD6jssq9lTal8l9HCkKW09TmyGLHCZY1MCAD1pxGb7eWph6RM3VSt-LMC58JgPYZhbacslL4vqVhLnO0ACRtaw_K6oAtHacpcAb9ISg55d4dKG/w610-h640/usbankint.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A century-long tradition of banking in Portland’s most
elegant business location will end Nov. 30 when U.S. National Bank permanently
closes its historic Main Branch at 321 SW 6th Ave.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>First opened in 1917 and expanded in 1923, the Main Branch
resided in the ground floor of the magnificent Roman Corinthian-style temple
designed in two stages by architect A.E. Doyle.
The banking floor extended a full block under a ceiling some 30-feet
high.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">US National has closed several other branches as the banking
business moves heavily to the internet. In
the bank’s earliest days, customers dressed in Sunday attire to do their
banking. Now we move pixels on a tiny
screen, instead.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Understanding that clients’ banking behaviors are changing,
we continue to adapt how and where we operate,” a district manager wrote to
branch customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As a result, we have
decided to close this location permanently as of Nov. 30, 2023.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The late architect George McMath once wrote, “The marble
floors, the mezzanine balustrade, the tasteful marble, plaster and bronze
ornament, all crowned by the high coffered ceiling subtly painted in Classical
colors, combine to display the sense of grandeur and wealth that was required
of banks in the early 1900s.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>But no more. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK5-hn0goVZup6C6g2EFXwBbZSDeVud6OBt13cIQqxcsWNceDEKvIba4Jh_NjHQeybavp5wpKbtWBASVEzxti1_NPrcXLZuDBAu5kBqnjAGTRn3TZe8B5YzWT7p8NdL6pUNruHAoioKFksiYj6zIl7ksI0_g_BJXoT0px8Q-KYfkZNMC-_IhzCVZcSs4M/s623/usbank.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="623" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK5-hn0goVZup6C6g2EFXwBbZSDeVud6OBt13cIQqxcsWNceDEKvIba4Jh_NjHQeybavp5wpKbtWBASVEzxti1_NPrcXLZuDBAu5kBqnjAGTRn3TZe8B5YzWT7p8NdL6pUNruHAoioKFksiYj6zIl7ksI0_g_BJXoT0px8Q-KYfkZNMC-_IhzCVZcSs4M/w640-h438/usbank.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The building itself is not in immediate
danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U.S. National sold it several
years ago and merely has been a tenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The building has rented office space on floors above the grand banking
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current owner is a foreign
limited liability company with an address in Sandy, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of its historic landmark status – not to mention its
ornate architectural design -- changes
to the exterior of the bank are unlikely to be proposed or approved. Alas, there is no specific protection for the
elegant banking floor. One imagine that
a new tenant might be found in the realms of insurance or real estate of
investment brokerage.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After Nov. 30, pedestrians will still be able to enjoy the
heavy, curving bronze doors that feature bas relief panels related to Oregon
history.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Until Nov. 30, if you haven’t seen the lobby, make it a
point to walk through it entering either from SW 6th or SW Broadway, and
crossing to the opposing street. You won’t
regret it. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>---Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-55011901299251079032023-10-23T20:19:00.000-07:002023-10-23T20:19:36.369-07:00Historic Goodness in Southeast Portland<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUhKjzY6RiqdhTc0CtoTYWJ-Yt4g290bsLSOP0Az-8Zw8FPTv-J9T9S19L_YRyznqopa8zgSMfa4TU3Q50RQu-0JE_R6rwSRyi8MU5Kc-EAfFmElgrZTsIJkmVO-lk_gm9sx-b2B70Iof97kx2Cicmoea0pIVZ2t_v3ksUlHmRgaX9BSDhDRWuNFTwY0B/s464/rexarms2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="464" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUhKjzY6RiqdhTc0CtoTYWJ-Yt4g290bsLSOP0Az-8Zw8FPTv-J9T9S19L_YRyznqopa8zgSMfa4TU3Q50RQu-0JE_R6rwSRyi8MU5Kc-EAfFmElgrZTsIJkmVO-lk_gm9sx-b2B70Iof97kx2Cicmoea0pIVZ2t_v3ksUlHmRgaX9BSDhDRWuNFTwY0B/w640-h510/rexarms2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Jessica Engeman photo -- National Register nomination)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Completion of the Rex Arms Apartments in 1913 at 1230 SE
Morrison St. was an amazing achievement for the neighborhood and for Richard F.
Wassell, a developer, contractor and apparently a self-taught architect.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Portland’s first boom in apartment house development
occurred mostly on the more affluent West Side, including downtown and the
Northwest Portland neighborhood. East
Portland’s dominantly working-class residents unquestionably felt their
economic inferiority.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Wassell, who lived just a few blocks from the Rex Arms, no
doubt believed he was striking at least one blow for equality, erecting a
62-unit building in an Italian Renaissance style that matched the size, quality
and appearance of comparable buildings going up on the West Side. The Rex Arms, now an affordable housing site
owned by REACH Community Development, is Portland’s latest nomination to the
National Register of Historic Places.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The 90-page nomination form, compiled by Erik Hovmiller and
Jessica Engeman, offers an exhaustive look at the building that, aside from
window replacements, has seen little exterior change over the decades. The document also provides a comprehensive
history of Wassell, whose short working career certainly deserves attention.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Wassell worked as a carpenter and bricklayer before he
started calling himself an “architect” in 1909.
He apparently was self-trained since there is no history of a formal
education. "Evidence suggests that he primarily learned design through self-study
and from his hands-on work as a builder,” the historians state. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqMWH5OTAQ-WK8sFQ0895dPBIhKGMosd2N-VWNVW8vN5By3mFWWxgQCHyc6ow8CZRPrrX9A9r8MM9y1zlmZRtgFkD6SDdMRNGQrwoGJ_3-WRrrSWIuJgWCPvbrnnb_2v_rWvzYbBRXhn0bqTd4wq0E3V21CJlsz7Z3wkKsv5O41RzPGuPw78q07tmTqvW/s402/rexarms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqMWH5OTAQ-WK8sFQ0895dPBIhKGMosd2N-VWNVW8vN5By3mFWWxgQCHyc6ow8CZRPrrX9A9r8MM9y1zlmZRtgFkD6SDdMRNGQrwoGJ_3-WRrrSWIuJgWCPvbrnnb_2v_rWvzYbBRXhn0bqTd4wq0E3V21CJlsz7Z3wkKsv5O41RzPGuPw78q07tmTqvW/w504-h640/rexarms.JPG" width="504" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative bracket and cornice (Engeman photo)</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">“After several years working in construction, he was driven
to accomplish more and sought to become an architect and real estate developer.
Building these skillsets afforded him an unusual amount of control over every
aspect of his buildings—the aesthetic character, the features and functional
aspects of the building that would affect his real estate pro forma, and the
quality of the construction.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Rex Arms illustrates Wassell’s mastery of the common
residential architecture of the day. A
notable example of his own inventiveness is the large brackets supporting an
elaborate cornice. One has to wonder if
he wasn’t influenced by the interesting brackets on William C. Knighton’s
Seward Hotel in downtown Portland, completed in 1909. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>All told Wassell designed eight apartment buildings, three
commercial buildings and several houses.
One of his final projects was creation of the Peacock Lane development,
which is famed for its Christmas season lighting. Peacock Lane was listed on the National
Register in 2017.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wassell may have had a hand in designing other apartments in
association with the well-known Carl Linde.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also took a run at the food processing business during World War I.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>In all, Wassell’s projects, some never built, “offer further
evidence of Richard’s seemingly indefatigable ambition, remarkable talents, and
may suggest a larger contribution to architecture and development than
documented” in the nomination form.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Wassell died of pneumonia in 1927 when he was 39. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Hovmiller said REACH hopes to achieve historic tax credits
for the building that will help maintain its availability for low-income
residents.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-67651533698892523752023-10-16T15:35:00.000-07:002023-10-16T15:35:43.523-07:00A Landmark Goes on the Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILblKasCnOpbpkF34L5BTK_Rjxff6_ybf8IMGr8AL5kuHVMsluLwY4j2EcmgthqtkKKLLk3_ZICSwAxNLUoskTc5lk5ROMV4SIct28cPm5HGmsgRnzlSIFgXD0EQFOvLD8oqrceyXS7ThlUEVT_Cc_U-OF7u9XW5BGSE49bSk0LqowzOSoc7k-PeqHf89/s3570/central%20luth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="3570" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILblKasCnOpbpkF34L5BTK_Rjxff6_ybf8IMGr8AL5kuHVMsluLwY4j2EcmgthqtkKKLLk3_ZICSwAxNLUoskTc5lk5ROMV4SIct28cPm5HGmsgRnzlSIFgXD0EQFOvLD8oqrceyXS7ThlUEVT_Cc_U-OF7u9XW5BGSE49bSk0LqowzOSoc7k-PeqHf89/w640-h478/central%20luth1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Faced with a looming financial crunch, congregants of Central
Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland have decided they must sell their
landmark building that was designed by Portland’s most famous architect, Pietro
Belluschi.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Central Lutheran is one of two Portland churches designed by
Belluschi in which he combined his love of indigenous Pacific Northwest
building materials with hints of Japanese structural elements. During his career that lasted from the 1920s
into the 1980s, Belluschi was an international leader in buildings ranging from
houses to churches to tall skyscrapers.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>In 1949 and 1950, Belluschi designed both Zion Lutheran
Church in Southwest Portland and Central Lutheran in the Irvington
neighborhood. Zion Lutheran is perhaps a
better example of the Belluschi style but Central Lutheran also has been designated
as a Portland historical landmark for its architectural qualities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOvae6FBcHkXvbo_m5qCK1hKMHyu1VXMPgiewFKoIfGlsRlv5cJZNey3xcs_OjB4V3o21EcBo7_v9uVTRO38s4voqSI4xqkkLDm-gLQl1w10pJ8IuSu9uMEUlAE_3-CzEBHrbG1sJxk-MHcAPd8IjQYg9KFWaWoMyyJQ3EhzHfG07EM4IfY0BSUU9UJY-/s1780/central%20luth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1780" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOvae6FBcHkXvbo_m5qCK1hKMHyu1VXMPgiewFKoIfGlsRlv5cJZNey3xcs_OjB4V3o21EcBo7_v9uVTRO38s4voqSI4xqkkLDm-gLQl1w10pJ8IuSu9uMEUlAE_3-CzEBHrbG1sJxk-MHcAPd8IjQYg9KFWaWoMyyJQ3EhzHfG07EM4IfY0BSUU9UJY-/w640-h412/central%20luth3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front canopy reflects Belluschi's Japanese influence</td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The landmark status likely will be a factor in whatever new
use occurs. Ideally, another
congregation buys the building – which happened to another church just a block
away that sold in 2019. The landmark
status prevents any significant changes to Central Lutheran’s brick and wood
exteriors unless the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission – and perhaps
ultimately the Portland City Council – agree.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Central Lutheran learned about violating the landmark
regulations the hard way in 2005 when they whacked off the top 40 feet of
Belluschi’s steeple that had suffered from dry rot. The city forced restoration of the steeple
following the original design at a cost of some $200,000. It took years of
fundraising, but the steeple and its cross rising about 100 feet above street
level were replaced in 2009.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Church officials have steadily worked on restoring elements
of the wooden facades in recent years.
Their efforts have been hampered by the COVID pandemic that reduced
rentals of church meeting rooms, and by the expense of cleaning up garbage and graffiti
from homeless campers and vandals.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmKktfQqupMh_7alAsN7NRU1_mT39J0_NrOl_1lJcDhvt819GcljOx-GlitxI3kgmtvjKzigvstxlOJuHOflYIBZ2McSO5PkJpSeRS9nRaaQzh5Qi0aMSci9kdBjmaOpYkqngTB1hQZJfiOxtORI5pp-nyiehcIAeyPVz24J80AkRlyID5tltZPFWooWv/s3823/central%20luth4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="3823" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmKktfQqupMh_7alAsN7NRU1_mT39J0_NrOl_1lJcDhvt819GcljOx-GlitxI3kgmtvjKzigvstxlOJuHOflYIBZ2McSO5PkJpSeRS9nRaaQzh5Qi0aMSci9kdBjmaOpYkqngTB1hQZJfiOxtORI5pp-nyiehcIAeyPVz24J80AkRlyID5tltZPFWooWv/w640-h444/central%20luth4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear side shows rounded end of chapel and church office.</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Any savvy prospective buyers must recognize that Portland’s
architectural preservation community will speak vociferously against changes
that would significantly alter Belluschi’s design. That said, the building with a sizable
chapel, kitchen and meeting rooms conceivably could be converted to a new uses.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Travelling in Denmark some years ago where Lutheranism is
the state religion, your author learned that as religious views changed among
the citizenry, many Lutheran churches were converted to new uses such as
museums, art centers, performance spaces
and child-care facilities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>That is the short way of stating that even if a new
congregation does not buy Central Lutheran, another acceptable use potentially
could be available.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Church officials said their current funds are likely to be
exhausted by the end of 2024. That
leaves an appreciable time for marketing the building and trying to find
acceptable ownership and operation for a notable Portland landmark. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>---Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p> </p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-51595830949954073242023-09-26T19:55:00.004-07:002023-09-26T20:00:18.281-07:00The Iceman Cometh <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53edrdSafSwq0Or__Ah7UE8HP7KRB3b77Eyr4t463sez4Ln92HRL5yw_pHbHSyxE5XO63AuZ9gEotkZYEo6pNJZUrAPQvVvEylMcxSimNOFY3GAiK2wgiy60JX2snQUtXHtfoTDh-cV58mrjssaaeW7P4x2guyT_bJL_FMab4XzlLAr6Axprt-I7SUijH/s3585/doorbell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3585" data-original-width="2689" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53edrdSafSwq0Or__Ah7UE8HP7KRB3b77Eyr4t463sez4Ln92HRL5yw_pHbHSyxE5XO63AuZ9gEotkZYEo6pNJZUrAPQvVvEylMcxSimNOFY3GAiK2wgiy60JX2snQUtXHtfoTDh-cV58mrjssaaeW7P4x2guyT_bJL_FMab4XzlLAr6Axprt-I7SUijH/w480-h640/doorbell.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Old houses often keep secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have detected three windows that were built
in our house in 1908 that later were replaced by exterior walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we moved in in 1980, we noticed a
tiny doorbell button crammed under a kitchen window and against the back door.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The button and its casing already had several layers of
paint making it unusable, even if the ancient wiring still worked. Over the years we added three more coats.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>During an extensive remodeling project, Dave Butterfield,
the project supervisor for Kraft Custom Construction, removed the
paint-encrusted doorbell casing and unmovable button. Below, he found two metal contact
points. When he pushed them gently
together, we heard a loud BONG. He
pressed it a few more times. BONG rang
out each time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know nothing about wiring.
Our front doorbell has four chimes that ring twice when the front door
button is pushed. The rear bell makes is
a single tone. Thus, one knows exactly
which door should be answered. The old-timers
who installed the system sure knew what they were doing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Why would a house have two different doorbells? Given the age of our house, my surmise is
that it was used by the iceman, who periodically delivered ice to the back
porch or kitchen for placement in the insulated wooden icebox. The widespread appearance of electric
refrigerators began in the late 1920s, and within several years the iceman was
gone. With him, I presume, went the need
for the rear doorbell.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The single BONG came in handy during our renovation project,
which took place in the basement and at the rear of the house. Whenever Dave Butterfield needed an answer or
wanted to suggest an idea, the BONG brought us running.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We could have snipped the wires and patched the tiny hole in
the siding, but we opted instead to find a new button and casing and restore the
doorbell in place. After all, it was part of the history of the house. Will it come in
handy? Will it get painted over so many
times that it becomes nonfunctional? </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Check back in </o:p>100 years and lI'll let you know.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-30621432437042991062023-09-14T16:54:00.001-07:002023-09-14T18:28:17.183-07:00Honoring Beatrice Morrow Cannady<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxopOcj4qBYmPKli1_0HLqsvrz8MlJPsHk1snqbz-SCJ35oR7QYEISkNrp0VwcvdWWLa3jMWlAtYNDyib40SlYc3-tsScby3CiO_H9MnUfVgVGruqZ0pmsW_hu8VERChnTvjRjoBOFw78yVk0qalhVB72UwFM69fHTX1H0bReZOPacIyvuDr8HCPdZAYRQ/s2158/morrow-cannady%20house.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="2158" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxopOcj4qBYmPKli1_0HLqsvrz8MlJPsHk1snqbz-SCJ35oR7QYEISkNrp0VwcvdWWLa3jMWlAtYNDyib40SlYc3-tsScby3CiO_H9MnUfVgVGruqZ0pmsW_hu8VERChnTvjRjoBOFw78yVk0qalhVB72UwFM69fHTX1H0bReZOPacIyvuDr8HCPdZAYRQ/w640-h566/morrow-cannady%20house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The 25-year home and headquarters for early 20th Century civil
rights activist Beatrice Morrow Cannady is now on its way to becoming Portland’s
latest entry to the National Register of Historic Places.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The imposing residence on the western edge of Northeast
Portland’s Grant Park neighborhood was Cannady’s home from 1912 to 1937, years
when she relentlessly advocated for equal treatment and mutual interracial respect
among all citizens.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Her achievements included writing, editing and ultimately
publishing The Advocate, a Portland newspaper dedicated to printing the news
and advocating equal treatment for Portland’s Black community. She also was instrumental in creating Pacific
Northwest chapters of the NAACP.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>From her 2 1/2 story Northeast Portland home, Cannady hosted
numerous “interracial teas,” aimed at promoting friendship and respect among
races. She also loaned books from her
personal in-house library of books all written by Black authors. Her busy schedule also included many speeches
at schools, churches and colleges on the subject of race relations.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Her many topics included discrimination in housing, education, public accommodations and employment. </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1928, Morrow spoke
at the national NAACP convention stressing the importance of women in fighting
for equality and equal rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMoiKQQIGcmWSWQrwgmlnZ8w0chnnJ7CZlBHO-HxmRxhpBsbQtDO_keAsnAluFeSTwWOyiAKpjuNDFeueSgo12mbPcmqSNJtxEOM5bEwg5u1nlvau6ExHzKyBKihMebOQIeOEcHoyYGo8T1fRqcWkkZR2EVdNCazS9ufbi2N4tEcS-PRxQ7czagdWK8or/s712/cannady%201926.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMoiKQQIGcmWSWQrwgmlnZ8w0chnnJ7CZlBHO-HxmRxhpBsbQtDO_keAsnAluFeSTwWOyiAKpjuNDFeueSgo12mbPcmqSNJtxEOM5bEwg5u1nlvau6ExHzKyBKihMebOQIeOEcHoyYGo8T1fRqcWkkZR2EVdNCazS9ufbi2N4tEcS-PRxQ7czagdWK8or/w424-h640/cannady%201926.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beatrice Morrow Cannady, 1926 (Oregon Historical Society)</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">In 1932, after her marriage to a second husband, Beatrice
Morrow Franklin became the first Black Oregonian to run for the state house of
representatives. She tallied more than
7,600 votes, but fell short of reaching the general election ballot.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Great Depression took a major toll on The Advocate
newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She closed the downtown
office and moved the business to the attic of her home, but by 1936 or 1937 she
ceased publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and her husband
moved to Los Angeles, ending her civil rights advocacy in Oregon. .</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Beatrice Morrow died in 1974, age 85.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Today, Cannady is rightfully remembered as
one of Oregon’s most dedicated and dynamic civil rights activists,” states the
National Register nomination.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>While the house, built in 1911, is an excellent
representation of the Arts and Crafts era of residential construction, the
National Register nomination is based not on its architectural merit but on its
association with ethnic history and civil rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Funding for research was provide by the City of Portland, as
part of its effort to make sure that city history adequately reflects important
contributions across the city’s ethnic diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The extensively-detailed National Register
nomination form was researched by Caitlyn Ewers and Matthew Davis of the
Architectural Resources Group and Kimberly Moreland of Moreland Resource
Consulting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Portland Historic Landmarks Commission unanimously
approved the nomination, which will be forwarded to the Oregon state advisory
committee on historic preservation, and then very likely to the U.S Department
of Interior that manages the national register.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>------Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-74298303881743680982023-09-06T14:28:00.002-07:002023-09-06T14:30:51.898-07:00Remembering David L. Williams<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0ueykfGP17KDVJwspbla3N-sTsuVTpJC2EjDVu5kN6NhTbv-VMMQEcj0gU716KbGO9ruZGZ0Y4SV476YyyS4pP5MfPr4q5YilS1zfEFT7jIpcuPiOO-3bJLNue9DyRyUSIcAc9hQUbNd1iBPFlB0j9PtOEaGyKOH9_VkE3Lr6kxRbWHyHNTq2tVOvCG-/s1124/williams3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1124" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0ueykfGP17KDVJwspbla3N-sTsuVTpJC2EjDVu5kN6NhTbv-VMMQEcj0gU716KbGO9ruZGZ0Y4SV476YyyS4pP5MfPr4q5YilS1zfEFT7jIpcuPiOO-3bJLNue9DyRyUSIcAc9hQUbNd1iBPFlB0j9PtOEaGyKOH9_VkE3Lr6kxRbWHyHNTq2tVOvCG-/w640-h394/williams3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara McKeyes Inman House</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">After writing about architect David L. Williams and the
Robert L. Lytle mansion (Aug. 26), Jim Heuer, a dedicated preservationist and Portland architectural historian, suggested that I had
slighted Williams by suggesting that he had not designed other significant
buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Indeed. Jim's knowledge exceeded mine. </o:p>Williams
was a son of the better-known Portland architect Warren H. Williams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger Williams, who practiced in
Portland from the 1883 to 1934, has four houses listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, and another one so interesting it could qualify if
nominated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Williams’ architectural
talents were described by one historian as “elaborate eclecticism,” meaning
that he was adept at adopting and mixing historical styles commonly seen in his
era.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Three of his notable mansions all include tall, elaborate
porticos at the main entrance, like the one we saw earlier at the Lytle
mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a subsequent
tenant in the Lytle mansion who asked Williams specifically to include a
portico when he designed the grand Clara McKeyes Inman House, shown above, in Northwest
Portland in 1926.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inman is remembered as
the inventor of the electric curling iron. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5jzatGSKSwZvfegfEEIfEurvdumQAPgbuJpVT3TVg17Xu0nyYcHx28wufBhsLoRQtxw8j5GYUkac7piGwl9rXRv12g_lMG_diSjdAa_YmzLkv0SZcNfPGig_ZUhSnEqcyOymsHDWr9UmHip9vxcjlWcpo049ZAzIZPb1vByidgCKKMjDXIQklOTGbrz/s2185/williams1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1697" data-original-width="2185" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5jzatGSKSwZvfegfEEIfEurvdumQAPgbuJpVT3TVg17Xu0nyYcHx28wufBhsLoRQtxw8j5GYUkac7piGwl9rXRv12g_lMG_diSjdAa_YmzLkv0SZcNfPGig_ZUhSnEqcyOymsHDWr9UmHip9vxcjlWcpo049ZAzIZPb1vByidgCKKMjDXIQklOTGbrz/w640-h498/williams1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank C. Barnes House</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Williams also added a similar portico at the Frank C. Barnes
House erected on Northeast Portland’s Alameda Ridge in 1913-14, less than two
years after the Lytle residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barnes,
whose many achievements included success in the fish-canning business, lived in
the 32-room mansion until his death in 1931.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Williams’ two other National Register houses were designed
in the Colonial Revival style in 1910 for Rufus Holman, a Multnomah County
Commission chairman and subsequent U.S. senator, and in 1909 for Frank W.
Fenton, a prominent 50-year attorney in McMinnville.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other interesting Williams house was built in Irvington,
just one block from the Lytle mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unlike the rampant eclecticism demonstrated in the mansions, Williams
designed the Harry P. Palmer house in 1912 in the then-trendy Arts and Crafts
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The design showed Williams’
ability to focus on a single esthetic, but with dramatic flairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two bold, curving, clinker brick piers
support the front porch roof. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXAOIlz0tssNTugBvEOIUKsrWK25vg4cjgDiP1VuGrb2lvkD-JRODTUJoRxoteJg31BAQtQUfpViqM2OkhNmFmCdyROy_1XZNAxWCiT6jiW-nhk2z0Fq-brTrvbtlKPwUttc929mla2QaRqEKyRVYc2xjm2y8U6ywp4qnNERRqek1lv9Gyfw_UF_psXXq/s4000/williams2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="4000" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXAOIlz0tssNTugBvEOIUKsrWK25vg4cjgDiP1VuGrb2lvkD-JRODTUJoRxoteJg31BAQtQUfpViqM2OkhNmFmCdyROy_1XZNAxWCiT6jiW-nhk2z0Fq-brTrvbtlKPwUttc929mla2QaRqEKyRVYc2xjm2y8U6ywp4qnNERRqek1lv9Gyfw_UF_psXXq/w640-h429/williams2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry P. Palmer House</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Mostly hidden now by foliage on the north side is an unusual
appurtenance that originally likely was for servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Architect/historian William J. Hawkins III
described it a “most interesting arrangement of intersecting forms, including
an angled, gabled projection, a turreted tower, and a polygonal bay window, all
protected by wide eaves with beam extensions and exposed rafter tails.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The interior was heavily decorated with mahogany and
walnut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, a subsequent owner decades later found
some of the woodwork too dark and painted a significant portion of it
white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A silver dining room chandelier
reportedly weighed more than 70 pounds.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Harry Palmer was a real estate dealer and an Irvington
promoted in the neighborhood’s early days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He apparently lived in the house only a few years before moving on.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It often is difficult to pin down the identity of architects
of old buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of the
Frank Barnes House, Williams was merely suspected as the architect when it was
added to the National Register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes facts show up later; for that reason alone we cannot close the
books on the career of David L. Williams.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
fredleeson@hotmail.com</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-38937017310156452892023-08-26T20:02:00.000-07:002023-08-26T20:02:13.204-07:00What's Next?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc82qOnn2AIk0jGp2L_lXUoygFDvVaYbXHBa1VMwGFtkx0Bv5ZihJrmQbcRLHtZf-U7TzlDibjDzP4OGQiCYotqD2ToCLcVTBafuky2s0REx3D0x_1lA5sdm_-mw2UuWV5otXEe337tdPzIdktE1_x0DXFl6jMnZ1UCp_VlFhdWo-dIKEt-kEwsgPrFJ1/s4000/white%20house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc82qOnn2AIk0jGp2L_lXUoygFDvVaYbXHBa1VMwGFtkx0Bv5ZihJrmQbcRLHtZf-U7TzlDibjDzP4OGQiCYotqD2ToCLcVTBafuky2s0REx3D0x_1lA5sdm_-mw2UuWV5otXEe337tdPzIdktE1_x0DXFl6jMnZ1UCp_VlFhdWo-dIKEt-kEwsgPrFJ1/w640-h480/white%20house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">By the time wealthy entrepreneurs can afford to build their
mansions, they often don’t have many years left to enjoy them. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>That certainly was the case of the Pittock Mansion,
completed in 1914 for Oregonian newspaper publisher Henry Pittock, who died in
1919. Same with the imposing Robert F.
Lytle house, built in Irvington in 1912 as a summer residence for the wealthy
Washington state timber owner, who died only four years later.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Then what happens?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After years of decline, the Pittock Mansion eventually was
acquired by the City of Portland as a museum and event space. What’s to become of the Irvington mansion,
often called Portland’s White House, remains to be seen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is now for sale with an asking price of nearly $3
million, should you be interested. You’d
be buying a two-story Colonial Revival/Mediterranean style house with 14 rooms,
oodles of excellent original interior details, a separate remodeled carriage
house and lots of interesting history.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One answered puzzle is why the uber-wealthy Lytle chose the
flatlands of Irvington for his mansion, when Portland’s upper crust residents
were dotting the Southwest and Northwest Portland hills and Northeast
Portland’s Alameda ridge with mansions that featured glorious views from on
high. While Irvington grew into a
stable, middle-class neighborhood, nothing among its 2,800 properties rivals
the Lytle house.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lytle design is the only known work of David L.
Williams, a son of the much more historically prominent Warren H. Williams. The elder Williams designed two Italianate
houses that survive for Morris Marks, a 19th century shoe merchant, and the
carpenter-gothic Old Church that survives as a concert venue.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>After Lytle’s death, the house was owned by William P.
Hawley, a paper-making consultant who built the huge (and now gone) Hawley Pulp
and Paper Co. at the Willamette Falls in Oregon City. Another subsequent owner was Harvey Dick, who
is well-remembered for turning the old Hoyt Hotel into a rollicking restaurant
and nightclub venue in the 1960s.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Lytle house’s history then became more muddled. One prospective owner wanted to turn it into
a wedding venue, but neighbors objected.
It is said to have operated for at least a few years as a women’s dress
shop, apparently without benefit of a city permit.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Starting in the early 1980s, successive owners made
sensitive improvements and operated it as the Portland White House Bed &
Breakfast, but a third owner got clobbered by the pandemic and decided to sell.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>In 2021, a high-tech person from Berkeley bought it for
$2.58 million and returned it to a single-family residence. Maintenance still appears to be good. Now,
however, the owner is moving to Europe and put the house on the market a few
months ago for $3 million. Hot as
Portland’s housing market is said to be, nobody was lining up to offer $3
million. The asking price is now $2.895
million.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Pictures of the interior are available here: <a href="https://www.homes.com/property/1914-ne-22nd-ave-portland-or/9yy5nvm7n50px/">https://www.homes.com/property/1914-ne-22nd-ave-portland-or/9yy5nvm7n50px/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Using the property as a business requires a conditional use
permit from the City of Portland. The
local neighborhood association will pay close attention to any conditional use
application.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-66034453190036597852023-08-21T15:27:00.000-07:002023-08-21T15:27:35.498-07:00A New Horizon Ahead?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4IQJyaIKmqrUP4o6lypsMUqbSOXFtj7y1HgHdnD3iC4ZQEfH9DNKI1NyNPKHuu_8qpWuJz7f-R1_YNpv575OKj6i2GIm0I5VNXPX7ofzqiNU1PrMcmd4Xm_VuST0OpIfFEfWFsQHNXD8vgbZe9SI9l0D9db9qJzX96aVr3JWt0FNEdt8KDQ786vbvVpV/s3408/art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3408" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4IQJyaIKmqrUP4o6lypsMUqbSOXFtj7y1HgHdnD3iC4ZQEfH9DNKI1NyNPKHuu_8qpWuJz7f-R1_YNpv575OKj6i2GIm0I5VNXPX7ofzqiNU1PrMcmd4Xm_VuST0OpIfFEfWFsQHNXD8vgbZe9SI9l0D9db9qJzX96aVr3JWt0FNEdt8KDQ786vbvVpV/w640-h482/art1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Given their limited finances, artists hoping to create a
synergistic community of their brethren usually don’t look for space in
high-end neighborhoods.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cyrus Cole and Adewale Agboola didn’t bother with the Pearl
when they wanted to find a building where artists and musicians, especially
from the BIPOC community, could create and display their work in a supportive
and vibrant venue.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The three-story masonry building they found and bought sits
on the edge of the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District in the 400 block
of NW Glisan St. It bears a sign of
Columbia River Ship Supply Inc., although it isn’t clear when that company
occupied the building believed to have been erected in 1905.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, the old building appears to be in good shape,
with arched windows, unusual 12-over-12 lite windows and an interesting
corbelled cornice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The architect is not
known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At various times, the building
has been used for manufacturing, storage and more recently as an architecture
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWe6vbHMw1P8iFF7IO255XvY9rv6rUlxigkd2QswN3EuK_wCvJlRrdVFyelslrn_Lh3aNe5cQvfK9lobiiT4vwy66EIXi8WFjJOeJ6LUPoigc66NHRgRh7jluAhRwDcxpwYdDIdpYQOw8rmKU9EeSMdnkXYA-WNmmi1HGb-nO121aaPjKFJpc0vrjjdtO/s902/art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="770" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWe6vbHMw1P8iFF7IO255XvY9rv6rUlxigkd2QswN3EuK_wCvJlRrdVFyelslrn_Lh3aNe5cQvfK9lobiiT4vwy66EIXi8WFjJOeJ6LUPoigc66NHRgRh7jluAhRwDcxpwYdDIdpYQOw8rmKU9EeSMdnkXYA-WNmmi1HGb-nO121aaPjKFJpc0vrjjdtO/w546-h640/art2.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting cornice </td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cole, a graphics designed, and Agboola, a photographer, hope
to make the first floor a gallery space with a coffeeshop and retail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creative spaces on the upper floors would be
rented to artists on a daily or 10-day or monthly basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basement they envision as a jazz bar with
performance space for musicians or the spoken word.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Cole </o:p>and Agboola call
their acquisition the Horizon Enterprise Building. Cole said they are in the final stages of
obtaining building permits for the interior work. Fortunately for them, seismic upgrades were
made several years ago, saving them a significant expense. Intior work is expected to take five or six
months, once the pair generate adequate funding.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>“It’s a great building,” said Maya Foty, a member of the
Portland Landmarks Commission where Agboola and Cole explained their
plans. “It seems like a great
spot.” She called their plans “exciting
on every level.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>“It’s a little rough around the edges,” Cole said, “but most
diamonds in the rough are.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The building is listed as a contributing element of the New
Chinatown/Japantown Historic District, although researchers who wrote the
district history said there was no apparent ethnic connection to the Chinese or
Japanese communities. The federal
listing said the building contributed to the district because it represented
the architecture and commerce of that historic era. It sits close to the Japanese American Museum
of Oregon and the Lan Su Chinese Garden, two institutions that celebrate
Portland’s early 20th Century international connections.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There have been times when collections of artists working in
proximity have generated additional economic interest in their neighborhoods
and lifted property values. When that
happens, the arrival of Starbucks often means it’s time for the artists to move
elsewhere. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s mailing list by writing “add me”
to <a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435847382086635016.post-54665257635925444592023-08-15T10:51:00.003-07:002023-08-21T15:28:43.249-07:00Progress at Anna Mann<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q8fxYvXP8yaK2eINKtyOHzP2DK0wRPD3K4jVM5UKHNmyM7RwKWJC1-tx_SB2UHzSMuXXDY300KRi8Z6dbowgAKDwhmGL-R5nhmeaFp8p-P7QaGaG22AAZozJaBx4LzpTB2j6M4bDFW0hIzDcE6e-7hPkBFgMhTUwW-vEqTxetPeNbt3SBkxlj3kYT9MN/s3175/mann2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="3175" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q8fxYvXP8yaK2eINKtyOHzP2DK0wRPD3K4jVM5UKHNmyM7RwKWJC1-tx_SB2UHzSMuXXDY300KRi8Z6dbowgAKDwhmGL-R5nhmeaFp8p-P7QaGaG22AAZozJaBx4LzpTB2j6M4bDFW0hIzDcE6e-7hPkBFgMhTUwW-vEqTxetPeNbt3SBkxlj3kYT9MN/w640-h446/mann2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Mann House (1910)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Sometimes, good plans DO come to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick trip to the one-time Anna Mann
retirement home in Northeast Portland, circa 1910, showed that two new
companion apartment buildings for low-income residents are at or near completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Restoration of the original building has a
few more months to go.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>When finished, the 3.1-acre complex at 1021 N.E. 33rd Ave., will contain 128 apartments. Of those, 42 will be rented to residents who
earn less than 30 percent of the region’s median income, and 86 will house
residents earning up to 60 percent of the median standard.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Innovative Housing Inc., a Portland-based non-profit housing
developer, cobbled together a complex funding package and won planning approval
from the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission almost three years ago. The developer has a good track record for
respecting historic architecture, and will prove it again by preserving the exterior and
many interior details of the original Mann house.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The original Anna Mann building was designed by Whitehouse
and Fouilhoux, one of Portland’s most prominent firms of the era. Their other notable work of the period
included the University Club and Lincoln High School, now Old Main at Portland
State University, and the original Jefferson High School.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXCL6Ofv9-_dmVn3CB2UPQ49WkS26y88KUvOjWXCFXS1HkWW09_vY3T6UzansvFP2UMy7r6XXvSm6-qx7q7VoaCYYx-QJ5n3mIUO2IqtQ1XHhzrN7LU3ebMd6Skw8Q-yAg5XYjMMQhf5getEOofne_iznDCqCUD9w1NnrYiNhTpZiaM79UxrqFHpbMLn4/s3605/mann3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="3605" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXCL6Ofv9-_dmVn3CB2UPQ49WkS26y88KUvOjWXCFXS1HkWW09_vY3T6UzansvFP2UMy7r6XXvSm6-qx7q7VoaCYYx-QJ5n3mIUO2IqtQ1XHhzrN7LU3ebMd6Skw8Q-yAg5XYjMMQhf5getEOofne_iznDCqCUD9w1NnrYiNhTpZiaM79UxrqFHpbMLn4/w640-h460/mann3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New apartment east</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The style of the Anna Mann house is considered Tudor Revival
or English Elizabethan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notable elements
include brick walls, steeply pitched roofs, and cast stone lintels and sills at
the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The public rooms were
trimmed with dark-stained Douglas fir, a common treatment for Arts and Crafts
interiors in the Portland area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pleasingly,
those interior details have been well-preserved.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The separate new buildings sit on the southern and eastern
edges of the site. While no one will
confuse them as “old” buildings, they were designed by Emerick Architects to be
compatible with the site’s doyen. Alas,
the budget did not allow for as much brick facing on the eastern building as
originally planned.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXSCT0yTh2az3Vn2gT__P51NmjuileQDGKhQcXCw5YSDeuHfDS_xezITLGVaapKaECaiZT192who3NwVpkfoRsTm2lFNKuK90Vgn7RWeVVtOG8P1wwpVt2HB4K734SosyewQXYOzhc44kamiutiFQErC24O-NMD4e3Ud8NWAU84jPMKMrabiFOuMEjOA7/s4000/mann1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="4000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXSCT0yTh2az3Vn2gT__P51NmjuileQDGKhQcXCw5YSDeuHfDS_xezITLGVaapKaECaiZT192who3NwVpkfoRsTm2lFNKuK90Vgn7RWeVVtOG8P1wwpVt2HB4K734SosyewQXYOzhc44kamiutiFQErC24O-NMD4e3Ud8NWAU84jPMKMrabiFOuMEjOA7/w640-h374/mann1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New apartment south, at left</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>When finished, the Mann building will contain 38 apartments,
plus communal spaces that will retain many of the original interior
details. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>While senior citizens likely will rent many of the 66
one-bedroom units, there will be numerous two and three-bedroom units that
could provide family housing, in addition to a single four-bedroom unit.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Overall, the project is an excellent example of finding a
new use for a worthy piece of historic architecture – and providing a new
source of essential housing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>----Fred Leeson</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Join Building on History’s email list by writing “add me” to
<a href="mailto:fredleeson@hotmail.com">fredleeson@hotmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>buildingonhistoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646925340985971870noreply@blogger.com0