Biltmore Apartments Portland, Oregon

Biltmore Apartments has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the following information, which has been imported from the National Register database and/or the Nomination Form . Please note that not all available data may be shown here, minor errors and/or formatting may have occurred during transcription, and some information may have become outdated since listing.

National Register ID

91000041

Date Listed

February 20, 1991

Name

Biltmore Apartments

Address

2014 NW Glisan St.

City/Town

Portland

County

Multnomah

State

Oregon

Category

building

Creators

Grant, John H.

Level of Sig.

local

Years of Sig.

1924

Areas of Sig.

ARCHITECTURE

Form

Biltmore Apartments Nomination Form (PDF)

Photos

Nomination Photos (PDF) (if digitized)

Search

search National Archives catalog

Raw Nomination Form Text

This is auto-generated text from the PDF, so it has no formatting, includes headers and footers, and may contain errors.

FHR-fr-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type ail entries—complete applicable sections_______________ 1. Name historic Jones-Sherman House and/or common Jones, Ralph R., House or Sherman, Charles L.» House 2. Location street & number 835 "D" Street NE not for publication city, town Salem vicinity of congressional district Second state Oregon code county Marion code047 3. Classification Category district X building(s) structure site object Ownership public X r private both Public Acquisition in process being considered Status occupied X unoccupied work in progress Accessible yes: restricted X yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum park .X _ private residence religious scientific transportation Other: 4. Owner of Property name Owen S. and Margaret R. Okel street & number 835 "D" Street NE city, town Salem vicinity of state Oregon 97301 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Marion County Clerk (Recorder) street & number Marion County Courthouse city, town Salem state Oregon 97301 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title has this property been determined elegible? __ yes X no date federal __ state __ county __ local depository for survey records city, town state 7. Description Condition X excellent good fair Check one Check one deteriorated X unaltered X original site ruins altered moved date unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The Jones-Sherrnan House is a well-preserved example of Craftsman Bungalow-Style architecture in a cohesive tree-shaded residential neighborhood north of the State Capitol in Salem, Oregon. Winter Street, a north-south thoroughfare providing the approach to the Capitol Mall, is less than one block to the east of the house. The neighborhood is experiencing some pressure for land-use change from commercial development north of Market Street from the spread of state office building construction from the Mall. The House, completed in 1913, is a quite recognizable interpretation of Plan No. 194 in a bungalow plan book brought out earlier the same year by Minneapolis architects John Lindstrom and Joseph Almars. It is a 2%-story, gable-roofed building of frame construction on concrete foundation. Rectangular in plan, it has a gabled projecting section offset to the east end of the facade over a porch with brick railing and posts. Overhanging eaves are carried on exposed rafters in the tradition of the Craftsman Bungalow, and by large triangle brackets at gable ends. Whereas the Lindstrom and Almars plan called for the full second story to be shingle-sided and the ground story to be stuccoed, Ralph Jones, the contractor, used lapped weatherboards on the ground story as high as the sill line of the second story windows. Jones also departed slightly from the suggested grouping of openings, choosing coupled double-hung windows with three narrow vertical panes in the upper sash to light the bedroom over the porch and single double-hung windows, instead of coupled openings, elsewhere in the second story. On the ground story, Jones chose instead of a wrap-around bay to light the livingroom corner a tripartite window fitted with double-hung sash in either wall. A terrace with low stone wall across the front of the house suggested by Lindstrom and Almars was eliminated, and a shed roof on exposed rafters, rather than a trellis, was used to shelter the front porch. A brick chimney breaks the rear slope of the roof just below the center of the ridge. Since 1926 the roof has been covered with composition shingles. A shed-roofed bay on the rear elevation contains leaded-paned art glass windows above the built-in diningroom sideboard. The ground story interior is divided equally into entry and livingroom space in the front half, including fireplace inglenook; and diningroom, pantry and kitchen in the rear half. Bedrooms, bathroom, sewing room and closets are arranged around a central hall in the second story. The attic space is undivided and unfinished. Finish work and built-ins are characteristic of Craftsman/Mission decor, and much of it is of exceptional quality for a house of moderate cost (the plan book claimed the cost to build was $3,200; the set of plans and specifications was priced at $32). The oak-paneled front door has four narrow beveled glass panels and brass hardware. Interior trim, probably fir, is dark- stained throughout, and walls are plastered and papered. A plate rail placed high on the wall encircles the diningroom and the living and entrance areas as well. Between the latter two there is but the subtlest demarkation. Low book cases with leaded glass fronts extend across the front wall of the livingroom. There are window seats under the corner windows. The fire­ place opposite the entrance has a Craftsman-Style brick front with decorative iron cooking armature in the firebox, a hearth of glazed ceramic tile, a high, bracketed wood mantel and paneled overmantel, and a settle on one side. The diningroom, which can be separated from the livingroom by sliding glass pocket doors, has a beamed ceiling, wainscoting and a fir sideboard thought to have been salvaged from remodeling of the old Marion Hotel in 1910. In any event, the piece was built into the rear wall of the diningroom and incorporated leaded glass cabinet fronts, as well as drawers, and a central window bay with three casement windows with many small leaded panes and a vine motif in colored glass. Art glass lighting fixtures jn the dining room are most notable of a number of original FHR-fr-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Jones-Sherman House Item number Page Owen S. and Margaret R. Okel acquired the property by trust deed October 15, 1981 from: Harold E. Sherman 1608 NE Stanton Portland, OR 97212 FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Jones-Sherman House Item number Page fixtures throughout the downstairs. Oak flooring used throughout the house is in good condition, having recently been refinished. Upstairs woodwork consists of typical door and window frames with molded architraves, baseboards with molded crown, and picture molding. 8. Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 A 1900- Areas of Significance — Check archeology-prehistoric archeology-historic agriculture _X _ architecture _K _ art commerce communications and justify below community planning conservation economics education engineering exploration/settlement industry invention landscape architecture law literature military __ music X philosophy politics/government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater tra nsportation other (specify) Specific dates 1 91 3 Builder/ArchitectRalph R. Jones , Contractor Lindstrom and Almars, Minneapolis ____________ Plans & Specifications: Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The house built by local contractor Ralph R. Jones for his own use in a fashionable residential neighborhood north of the Capitol Mall in Salem, Oregon in 1913 v/hen the Bungalow Style was the height of fashion, is significant as a remarkably well-preserved example of pattern book architecture which can be traced to a specific source. Based on Plan No. 194 in Bungalows brought out earlier in the same year by Minneapolis architects Lindstrom and Almars, the house fulfilled the plan book authors' objective of "a most attractive simplicity" in exterior treatment and "in the interior a great deal of comfort" achieved through an efficient use of space. In addition to an artistic exterior and conveniently arranged interior, an integral part of the Craftsman ideal, or Bungalow esthetic was a practical and artistic arrangement of built-ins, such as fireplace inglenooks, book shelves, linen drawers, china cabinets, and sideboards. As a contractor, Jones built a number of bungalows for his clients, including another version of Plan No. 194 at 22nd and State Streets., but, as an experienced cabinet manufacturer, he lavished special care on the cabinetry of his own house, all of which is intact. Jones occupied the house until his death in 1925. The property was acquired the following year by Charles L. Sherman, Professor of Psychology and Philosophy at Willamette University from 1914 to 1945, a nationally-recognized scholar. The house remained in Sherman family ownership following the professor's death in 1963 to 1981. The Jones-Sherman House embodies the distinctive characteristics of pattern book architecture in the Bungalow Style, and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials,. workmanship, feeling and associa­ tion with persons of consequence in Salem's construction trade and University life throughout the first half of the 20th century. Architecture: Ralph R. Jones (1875-1925), the contractor, was a native of Ohio. He had worked in a cabinet factory, for a hardware company, and as patternmaker for a hydraulic press company before following an uncle to Salem, Oregon. City directories show that Jones used his house as his office for a time, undoubtedly with the idea of being able to demonstrate readily his craftsmanship to prospective clients seeking new town houses or resort cottages at Meskowir on the Oregon coast, a popular watering place for Salem society. In building his house, he modified the Lindstrom and Almars plan by eliminating a tiny vestibule, redirecting the stair­ cases, and by eliminating a corner bay in the living room and adding a bay for the staircase. Jones's pantry is smaller, the kitchen slightly bigger, and a back porch was substituted for a rear vestibule. The front terrace was eliminated, and a trellis over the front porch was changed to a shed roof more appropriate for a rainy climate. Upstairs, a longer hall was created, a sewing room added, and the bath and toilet room were consolidated. Notwithstanding these adjustments, in the overall basic plan and in general detail, Jones was faithful to the spirit of Lindstrom and Almars' Plan No. 194. Lindstrom and Almars published at least two plan books in 1913 and 1915, and a second edition of Bungalows in 1915. John W. Lindstrom (1874-1962) later published at least six plan books between 1922-1948. He also prepared plans for the Leamington and Curt is Hotels in Minneapolis With Joseph Almars (1884-1948), he also designed three apartment houses in the same city. Almars was a designer and artist in the engraving business and wrote four books on design. Education & Philosophy: Charles L. Sherman, who acquired the house in 1926, served Willamette University 1914-1945 as Professor of Physchology and Philosophy. Born in Iowa in 1880, he died in 1963, and his widow died in 1978. The son is now owner. Professor Sherman received both a Ph. D and Pd. D from New York University, where he was a student of Herman H. Home. 9. Major Bibliographical References Legal and Physical Description Marion County Deeds and Mortgages Union Title Company Title Index Sanborn Company , Insurance Map of Salem/1926. 10. Geographical Data________. Acreage of nominated property less than one - Quadrangle name Salem West, Oregon '^QUadrangfe scale' UMT References p? Tns^^^^^^^tT A|1,Q| |4|9,7|9;4,0| Zone Easting cl , I I I , I , , I El , I I I , I , , I GI i i i r, i , , i i 4|2|7,6|8,8,0| : B| i | | Northing Zone Ea I I I I I , I D| , || i I i | l . | F| , | | l I l I l'l- I H| , | LJ I sting I l l I I I i i i i I , North | , | I I I I ing I i ", I I I l i i i i Verbal boundary description and justification Lot 9, Block 7, Oaks Addition to Salem, Marion County, Oregon List aJI states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title David C. Duniway organization date September- 1» 1980 street & number 1365 John Street South telephone 503/581-2333 city or town state Oreqon 97302 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: __ national __ state X local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for thi 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the Nail according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the Hep State Historic Preservation Officer signatured iatjonal Historic/Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- "'-'' R&qister an'd certify that it has been evaluated ervation and Recreation Service. / v - • title Deputy State Historic Preservation Offi date June' 229 1981 &pegy»ffl^i4'^^;^''i*'^^ GPO 938 835 FHR-&-300 (11-78) United States Department off the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Jones-Sherman House Item number 8 Page He was author of a text, Moral Self, an Introduction to the Science of Ethics, published by Ginn and Company in 1925.He left two other manuscripts when he died.Former students who paid him honor as a teacher when he died included Ken McCormick, Vice-President and Senior Editor, Doubleday and Company; Professor Gilbert Wrenn, University of Minnesota; Professor Read Bain, Miami University, Ohio; Glenn Olds, President of Springfield College, Massachusetts; Frank Bennett, President, Eastern Oregon College; Governor Mark 0. Hatfield, now U. S. Senator; and Frederick P. Harris, Headmaster; The American School, Tokyo,Japan. Sherman was listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in Psychology. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, the Pyschological Society, and the Wilderness Society of America. One of the first Doctors of Pedagogy in the United States, he was characterized as a scholar, teacher and friend. He was typical of professors in small colleges across the land whose high standards^tfie best justification for small colleges. The dedication of such men renders a magnificent service to the nation. The influence of such men never ends and cannot be measured. Such was the assessment of Professor Sherman, "the great man" in the lives of those who wrote in tribute. FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form Continuation sheet Jones-Sherman House Item number Page 1 Ralph R. Jones R. L. Polk, Salem Directories, 1913, 1917, 1921. Interview with Evan Boise, grandson, August 26, 1980. Family history (manuscript, p. 13, 31, 32, in possession of Evan Boise). Lindstrom & Almars (copy in possession of owner).Bungalows Library of Congress.National Union Catalog, entries under:Lindstrom & Almars Lindstrom, John W. Almars, Joseph Letter of Alan K. Lathrop, Curator, Northwest Architectural Archives, University Libraries, University of Minnesota. August 12, 1980. Charles L. Sherman Polk, R. L., Salem Directories. 1924, 1926/7, 1928/9. Book Review Digest, 1928. Excerpts from review of Moral Self . . . Willamette Collegian, February 11, 1938, "Introducing Progessor C. L. Sherman." Herman H. Home, letter to Dr. C. L. Sherman, July 8, 1942. The Hawkey Booster, Hawkeye, Iowa, July 16, 1968. "Dr. C. L. Sherman Dies in Oregon." The Willamette Alumnus Summer, 1963. P. 2, Dr. Sherman. The Willamette Alumnus Fall, 1963, p. 18-20. "Former students pay tribute.....1 Governor Mark Hatfield, letter to Mrs. Sherman, August 16, 1963. Obituaries, Grace Eleanor Sherman, 1892-1978. Who's Who in America.