Historic Homes of Port Orford The Joan of Arc was built, in part, from
a shipwreck.
Historic Homes
In the mining and lumber days, Port Orford was a booming town. The treasures left behind are found in the architectural mix of today's almost 155-year-old town, Oregon's oldest and most westerly townsite.
Among the treasures are Craftsman Farm Style homes, Victorian homes and buildings dating back to 1879. Many of these properties are private residences but offer wonderful photo opportunity while taking a walking or driving tour.
J.P. Lindberg, came to Port Orford in 1896. One of his first buildings, we know about, is the McMullen House at 250 19th, which was finished by Lindberg in the 1890's after another builder started the construction.
In 1891 Lindberg built, on Jefferson between 8th and 9th a home for a pioneer general store owner.
His family home he built is a Victorian. He went on to become a prominent builder of history including the Hughes house just North of town. His two grand daughters still reside in the family home, a private residence at 906 Washington.
Three other buildings, known to have been built by Lindberg: One is located at
Jackson and Hwy 101 and was an antique shop at one time.
The Grantland Mayfield Building, 248 Oregon Street, built prior to 1898, was the Community Building with a dance floor and basketball court upstairs and a general store downstairs. The town's people used the walk-in food locker, original door still in place, until WW2 when the military took it over. Now an Art Gallery and Real Estate office.
Lindberg also built small home at 504 Washington in 1902 for the White family.
The builder of the following are unknown:
Paula's Bistro, 200 block of Oregon St. The central part of this building is the oldest building in town, 1879.
The commercial building at 349 and 351 Oregon was built in 1915. It now houses Now & Then - The Port Orford Mercantile and the Port Orford Ocean Resources Teaqm office. Originally it was a fancy saloon.
A private residence, located at 1027 Idaho, is reported, by some, to be the oldest home here, 1882.
Jackson Street was the main road through Port Orford. Now used as apartments is a building at the corner 10th, built in 1888 for the Nygren Hotel and Livery Stable.
A Bed & Breakfast and Vacation Apartment, The Holly House, 600 Jackson, was built
for Mr. Sutton's Newspaper office, the first newspaper of our town. It was built
in the 1890's and later a second story was added.
At 503 Jackson Street you can see what is now a vacation home, The Cat's Meow, which is a Sears Roebuck Kit Home, circa 1910.
Three buildings on 101/Oregon Street:
The Time Worn Treasures building was built in the 1910's as the telephone exchange office and a beauty shop.
The Coast Candle building was originally a café/bar and Charlie Long's Variety
store, built in the early 1900's.
Lichtig Attorney Office, was the 1920 White Hotel.
The Powder (Dynamite) Storage Building for the Hardware Store on Jackson in the 1920's, was moved sometime in the 1930's by Grover Tichenor, to 543 9th Street, and is a vacation rental, called the Powder House.
The Port Authority Building at 665-5th Street, is all that remains of Fort Orford, 1935, its now a Vacation Rental Home with a view.
Another photo opportunity is the old City Jail, built in 1936 when Gilbert Gable's lumber mill was booming, and Leon White was Constable. It sets all alone at Jefferson and 7th Street.
At 608 Oregon Street stands the Gilbert Gable Little Theater, which when a theater stood on 12th and Idaho, it is now a private residence.
The Gable home, which is a fine Craftsman Farmhouse example, is located in its original spot at 1205 Idaho and is today a private residence. Gilbert Gable was Port Orford's first mayor. Both properties appear to be 1920's or 30's.
Mr. McGill, a craftsman in Myrtle Wood, built several homes including what is now the Cape Blanco Mobile Home Park residence and office at 2011 Oregon. It was built for the Blaine Marsh family, however, was used as a Doctor's office and clinic 1920 to 1940.
Another fine example of Craftsman Farm, which has recently under gone exterior renovation, is the 1921 Bob Forty home at 735 Oregon, now The Joan of Arc Vacation Home. It was built by Mr. Forty and his father in-law, Mr. McGill in part from the wreckage of a lumber ship, Joan of Arc, which came a ground in Battle Rock Harbor. The home, which boasts historic pictures, is open by appointment for tea or vacation stay.
(Historic Homes written and researched by Grace Lee Bonnell)
