History of
Stayton
1.
1876
Flour Mill; W.H. Hobson, Uriah Whitney, A.D. Gardner
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2.
1875 sash & door factory; Cyrus & Alex Clark
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3.
1875
chair factory; Daniel Neff, Roberts Veal, 1895, W.E. Thomas
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4.
1897 Hydroelectric plant; A.L. Shreve
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5.
1868
Wool carding mill; D.E. Stayton
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6.
1870 Sawmill; 1883, Leander Brown
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7.
Six shops on Water St. between 2nd & 3rd housed a variety
of enterprises (around 50 different tenants have so far
been identified) such as furniture stores, shoemakers, harness
makers, blacksmiths, buthcers, a drug store, 2 post offices,
saloons, barbers, butchers, milliners... The oldest structure
in the present frontage is Henry Mutchler's 25' x 50' basalt
shale blascksmith shop built in 1908 and now embedded in
the present Johnson's Body Shop.
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8.
Several
modest False Front buildings dating from the early 1870's
included a genderal merchandise store, a doctor's office,
Stayton's first post office, a saloon, barber shop, and
photographic studio. An arsonist destroyed these buildings
in the mid 1920's when they were derelict and mostly unoccupied.
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 9.
1906 Hill Brother's ool hall, 175 2nd. Two story False Front
(removed 1963); The Stayton Mail office & printing plant
was here for about 50 years.
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 10.
Ca 1885 W.H. Hobson (later, Gehlen) general merchandise
store 221 2nd; two story False Front (removed 1963) with
a notable mezzanine balcony; our last remnant of the original
19th century market town.
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 11.
Ca. 1885 Leander Brown house, 227 2nd; 1-1/2 story T plan
house with a gabled dormer and a rear utility wing; probably
Stayton's earliest and best executed window bay. Later additions
obscure the original footprint.
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 12.
1927 Women's Community Clubhouse, 260 2nd; clay tile &
stucco, hip roof, columned segmental porch & Palladian
effect entry with fanlight.
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13.
1912
Deldrich building, 195 3rd; the only concrete stone building
in Stayton retaining original entries and display windows.
Remarkable cornice treatment now partially obscured by metal
flashing.
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 14.
1911 IOOF building, 122 3rd concrete stone.
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15.
1923 Mielke "bungaloid" worker's cottages, 107-155
E. Florence with segmental arch entries, jerkenhead (clipped)
gables, bold fireplace chimney brickwork; a four car garage
was originally provided at the east end of the property.
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16.
1913
Cladek Garage, 244 4th; first monolithic poured concrete building
in Stayton--wall still visible on north side.
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17.
189?
W.H Hobson house, 283 4th; original 4 gable (cruciform) roof
structure destroyed in ca. 1960 fire; retatins original drop
edge siding and 1 over 1 windows; house moved (1911) from
western corner of block.
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18.
1940 Charles Lampman, builder, 438 East Ida; "Minimal
Traditional" style; tapered wide cedar siding below;
true board & batten above.
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19.
1876
Uriah Whitney house, 444 East Ida; Stayton's first "mansion";
T plan with cross gable dormer & "gothic" 2nd
floor fire escape door. Moved (1940) from original site facing
4th. Siding, windows and shed roof rear addition not original.
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 20.
1921 Wm. Klecker house, 482 East Ida; a verified Sears Roebuck
"pre-cut" house with fine Craftsman detailing &
a locally produced concrete stone foundation.
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 21.
ca.
1906 A.L. Shreve house, 383 East Ida; front gable & wing
(L) plan much modified.
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22.
1911
Farmers & Merchants Bank, 1914 Stayton Mail annex, 1918
Young's grocery, 282 3rd; concrete stone with a unified exterior;
notable cast concrete neo-classic cornice. Skillful (1936)
revision of former bank entrance compared to later brutal
blocking of a similar entry to grocery building.
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23.
1923 Klecker (2 story) & 1926 Schindler (1 story) buildings,
207-247 3rd; clay tile & brick. Klecker building facade
reflects the larger & smaller "double store"
ground floor division; 2nd floor ballroom originally operated
by the Catholic Foresters.
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24.
1936
Sestak & Matthieu buildings, 277-281 3rd; clay tile &
brick, unified design replacing frame structures destroyed
by 1936 fire. Original north wall windows blocked.
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25.
1904-1913-1920
Stayton State Bank, 311 3rd; 1904 basalt shale & stucco,
Stayton's 1st masonry building, low pitch shed roof &
parapet; 1913 concrete stone 2nd story added; 1920 brick re-facing,
probable replacement of 2nd floor concrete stone. More recent
modifications include replacemtn of original wooden 1 over
1 double hung sash on 2nd floor with 6 light steel: consolidation
of original double entrance.
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26.
1908
1st Roy Block, 351 3rd; Stayton's first concrete stone building.
Portland architect and builder; blocks produced locally. 2nd
floor windown grouping expresses original "double store"
division of ground floor with separate recessed entrances
and central stair access to offices above--completely modified
& transom windows masked.
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27.
1911
2nd Roy Block, 367 3rd; conrete stone. Street level much modified
from original strongly emphasized central entrance to both
shops and staircase. Interesting variegated block patters
and saw-tooth cast cornice frieze above.
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28.
1910
W. E. Thomas general mdse. 383 3rd; concrete stone Street
level much modified; upper level well preserved with handsomely
detailed cornice. Original parapet finials removed.; transom
windows whimsically blocked.
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29.
1913
Beauchamp Drug Store, 395 3rd; first aggressive use of glass
in a Stayton Building; 2nd floor ballroom with entry on High
St. Wooden dentil decoration above transoms recently restored.
Street level entry somewhat modified; valuable cornice detailing
removed and heavy painting has obscured original interesting
use of smooth ashlar blocks with torus mortar joints.
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 30.
1936 Stayton City Hall & Fire Station, 400 3rd; clay tile
& stucco, replaced 1895 wooden town hall on same site.
Original well-proportioned facade with pilasters and coffered
panels and upper meeting room windows now covered by faux
mansard shingle tutu.
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31.
1910
Robertson Garage 429 3rd; two story frame originally clad
in brick pattern embossed sheet metal; small older residence
embedded in west end of building.
 
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32.
1907 Dr. Charles Brewer House, 717 3rd; gambrel roof bungalow
with large crross gable dormer & balcony; original sash,
later shake siding applied.
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33.
1905
Charles Stayton house, 748 3rd; 4 gable, 1-1/2 story; wraparound
attached porch with spindled & shingled belt cornice;
original siding, sash & scrolled gable ornamentation.
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34.
1938 Fred Albus house, 676 3rd; ambitious 1-1/2 story Minimal
Traditional (7 Gable) with ornamental half-timber & stucco
front gable & original combed cedar siding. (Built by
Oscar Hagen).
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35.
1898
A. D. Gardner house, 633 rd; also ambitious 2 story cruciform
with truncated hip and valley roofs, boxed eaves with scrolled
brackets & vertical beaded wall-cave frieze; octogonal
cupola with flared roof; spindle decorated attached wraparound
porch with shingle belt cornice extened on house sides. Rear
utility wing included a 4 story octagonal windmill & tank
tower and the surving octagonal woodshed. Original drop edge
siding and 1 over 1 sash on main house; later 2nd floor additions
somewhat obsure original cruciform shape.
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36.
1908 W.E. Thomas house, 622 3rd; well realized 1-1/2 story
Craftsman bungalow in rear oringal state. Flared hip roof
and dormers, integral wraparound porch, narrow tapered siding
on lower walls, shingles above. Skillfully retrofitted fireplace
& chimney.
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37.
Ca. 1875 Alex Clark House, 379 E. Burnett; T plan (3 gable)
with typical attached proch; the oldest house in Stayton to
retain its original drop edge siding & at leas some sash;
later addition at rear.
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38.
Ca. 1875 Daniel Neff house, 587 3rd, T plan house similar
to Clark house, but modernized almost beyond recognition.
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39.
1922
Jones Hotel, 635 East High; 2 story clay tile and stucco;
recent application of plywood siding & window sash.
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40.
Ca.
1872 D.E. Stayton House, 125 East High (probably Stayton's
oldest building); 1-1/2 story T plan with retrofit dormers
and applied modern siding.
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 41.
1902 Charles Brown house, 425 1st; National Register Queen
Anne with original drop edge siding, 1 over 1 sash, elaborate
neo-classical trim; 1 and 2 story irregular plan with complex
hip & valley roof & large cross dormers; 2 side attached
wraparound porch with additional small proches.
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42.
1940
Ficklin House, 102 West High; 1-1/2 story Minimal Traditional
with Cape Cod motif shutters. (Another Oscar Hagen House).
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43.
1910 Charles & George Brown, builders, 411 N. Alder; 1-1/2
story California style bungalow (probably Stayton's earliest)
in near original condition & exhibiting most of the characteristics
of the style; integral proch, shed roof dormer & window
bay, exposed frafters tails, diagonal eave braces, evident
fireplace brickwork; somewhat atypical drop edge siding is
perhaps consistent with early date.
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Telling Stayton’s saga,
one building at a time
Photo by Teresa Williams
INTERESTING ARCHITECTURE:
Ernst Lau describes the unique features of the Bird & Hat Inn
on a walking tour benefit for the Santiam Heritage Foundation Saturday.
BY TERESA WILLIAMS
The Stayton Mail
June 30
 STAYTON
– Every building in downtown Stayton has a story, and Ernst
Lau is their storyteller.
Saturday he explained the history of 43 of those buildings to a
group that had bought tickets to help save the Charles and Martha
Brown house, Stayton’s only remaining Queen Anne house.
Jeff Mexico said he will see downtown differently now.
“People drive by every day, and they don’t even realize
the history they’re passing by,” he said.
Dar Lunden has been following the progress of the Brown House restoration
in the newspaper, and she came from Salem for the walk.
“It’s been one of the best historical tours I’ve
ever been on,” she said. “Ernst is not only informational
but interesting.”
The tour started at Stayton’s castle, where Lau lives with
his wife, Lee. While the house wasn’t an official part of
the tour, the water in the “moat” was. As the group
stood on the bridge that serves as a driveway into the castle, Lau
said he felt it was appropriate to start the tour with the reason
the town is here today, the Stayton Ditch.
In 1866, Drury Stayton bought 29 acres of dense forest, and his
son and he started digging the ditch. His plan was to turn farm
produce into retail products. Stayton and his son died before industry
took off, but soon after, factories began using power from the stream.
While the businesses are gone, many of the houses where the owners
lived survive. In 1911, farmers began using the ditch for irrigation.
Where Johnson’s Body Shop now stands on Water Street, one
of the town’s most colorful characters plied his trade. Henry
Mutchler’s 1908 blacksmith shop is still embedded in the walls
of the body shop, but it is Lau that keeps his memory alive.
“The blacksmith in a pioneer town was an extremely significant
person,” Lau said. When horses were the only mode of transportation,
the blacksmith was as important as the auto mechanic.
Mutchler didn’t like the way farmers’ horses were treated
when they came into town to do business, so he built his own stables
to take care of the animals.
However, he was better known for a stunt he pulled during prohibition.
Mutchler had a prize hunting dog that lived in a two-story doghouse.
One day the Oregon State Mounted Police rode in and confiscated
40 quarts of Canadian whiskey from the doghouse’s second floor.
Two years before Mutchler built his blacksmith shop, the town’s
first bowling alley opened, and the first game was played by the
former mayor, Leander Brown. Brown convinced Marion and Linn counties
to build a bridge for Stayton before county officials discovered
that Brown had no authority as mayor since the town wasn’t
incorporated. Soon after, Stayton did incorporate, and Brown became
its first official mayor.
By the time the bowling alley was constructed, Brown was elderly,
but he asked to play the first game against the current mayor. Brown
“beat his socks off,” Lau said, and the town later discovered
Brown had been a bowling champion in his younger days.
His 1885 house still stands at 227 Second Ave., though it has been
changed. Lau said the bay window is probably Stayton’s
earliest and best executed. The house also has its original dormer
and trim derived from stick style architecture. Lau said that indicates
some sophistication.
Four things influenced the city’s early architecture, Lau
said. The first was the prosperity of the area. Some sections of
town had spectacular houses. Availability of material also played
a part, as did input from the outside world. Many home designs were
chosen from stylebooks in the 19th century, and in the 20th century,
people ordered plans in the mail. The other factor was the degree
of skill and sophistication local builders had.
Another indication of how Stayton developed was when builders started
using masonry instead of wood. In Europe, masonry was first used
for castles, which were the center of government. Next came churches,
and then the goldsmith’s house.
Stayton had it backward, Lau said. Its first masonry building was
a bank, the second was City Hall. A masonry church didn’t
appear in Stayton until the 1950s.
The bank, at 311 Third Ave., was built of basalt shale and stucco
in 1904. A second story was added in 1913 made of concrete stone,
a material that became important to the character of Stayton’s
downtown area. In 1920, the concrete stone was replaced with brick.
Concrete stone was a practical material, particularly because Stayton
lacked transportation options. The town didn’t get a railroad
spur until 1965, so use of local materials was a necessity. Pebbles
were taken directly from the North Santiam River. The only outside
material was concrete. Because of that, Lau said Stayton has what
is probably the best assortment of concrete stone buildings in the
state. One of the best examples is the Diedrich Building at 195
Third Ave. It is the only concrete stone building in Stayton that
retains its original 1912 entries and display windows.
Among the bank’s construction crew was a young man from Portland
named Oscar Hagen, a man who would become important in Stayton’s
development. While working on the bank, he fell in love and married
a Stayton girl. The couple went back to his home in Portland, but
they moved back to Stayton in 1929 or 1930.
One of the houses Hagen built was for Fred Albus at 676 Third Ave.
Lau said it was one of the first houses in Stayton that a modern
family could live in without feeling like it was featured on a reality
TV show.
“An Oscar Hagen kitchen was what every housewife in Stayton
aspired to,” Lau said. The kitchen had built-in appliances
so there was nothing to sweep under, and the house had central heating.
It was easy living, Lau said, and he should know. The kitchen in
his own castle is an Oscar Hagen, and he said his wife has never
complained about it.
The final house on the tour was the Brown House. Since Charles Brown
built the house in 1902, it has seen many residents and more than
80 births when it was Stayton’s first hospital. A crack in
the banister shows where the lower section was removed so stretchers
could be carried up and down. Despite the unavailability of electricity
in 1902, Brown prepared for the future with wiring and switches.
The house has no fireplace because Brown designed a radiant heating
system.
The Santiam Heritage Foundation is working to restore the house
to its original condition, and Lunden, who has helped with the Gordon
House at the Oregon Garden and Salem’s Deepwood Estate, hopes
more people will join the effort.
“This Queen Anne is certainly worth saving,” she said,
“and historical societies outside the Stayton area should
lend their support to helping raise funds for this building.”
Historic Downtown Stayton is considered to be 2nd and 3rd Avenue
between Water and Washington Street.
When Drury Stayton founded Stayton in 1871, shops and businesses
were soon established to sell goods and services to the townsfolk
and the people who would come to town to sell wool, wheat etc. Stayton
became the commerce hub for the East Marion County area.
Much has changed in Stayton over the last 122 years but the desire
to own your own business and be your own boss remains strong in
Stayton. Stop by and visit these friendly independent business owners
who are living their dream. Here are just a few of the many shops,
restaurants, and businesses along 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Stay for an
hour or a day, you will always be welcome.
- Bird & Hat Inn Bed & Breakfast – Dr. Charles Brewer
House 1907 - 717 3rd Avenue. Jacqulin Kirby owner and proprietor
makes everyone feel that her home is their home during their stay.
This beautiful B&B also has a unique sunken garden. –
Ph. 503-769-7817 – birdandhat@hotmail.com
- Stayton House Antiques and Gifts – Charles Stayton House
1905 – 784 3rd Avenue. A.D. Gardner built this charming house
for his daughter when she married Charles Stayton who was the grandson
of Drury Stayton. It is owned by Keven & Ankana Doerfler. –
Ph. 503-769-4400
- Stayton Flowers & Gifts – A.D. Gardner House 1898 -
633 3rd Avenue. This lovely house on a large lot is the home of
Stayton Flowers & Gifts. Owner, Dick Jungwirth. Ph. 503-769-6331
- Antiques and Uglies – Built circa 1910-429 3rd Avenue -
This building has been an antique store for more than 20 years.
Its tidy, open area makes everyone feel welcome. Stop by and visit
Pat and her cat. Ph.503-769- 3781.
- Harold’s Jewelry – Harold Brenden built this building
along the Salem Ditch for his jewelry shop in 1987 - 403 3rd Avenue
- Harold carries a complete line of fine jewelry and watches. Harold
and his staff also create new jewelry and repair old. Ph. 503-769-2744
- Cartwrights Music Repair & Store – Built circa 1913
- 395 3rd Avenue. Cartwright’s store has a large selection
of CD’s. Their specialty is Blue Grass and Traditional Country.
New and used instruments for sale. Cartwright’s, owner, also
repairs stringed instruments. In conjunction with the Star Cinema,
he brings well-known performers to town. – Ph. 503-769-2778
– cartwrightsmusic.com - kenc@wvi.com
- Jensen-Kreitzer Family Clothing – Built 1911 - 351 3rd
Avenue. People come from all over to shop for men and women’s
clothing. They carry children’s clothing as well. They also
offer a complete line of tuxedo rentals. The owners Karlene and
Todd listen and know what their customers want and need. Karlene
and Todd Jensen owners – Ph. 503-769-5572
- Accents Northwest – Built circa 1911 – 351 N. 3rd
Avenue – This is a great place to find crafts by local artists.
This shop is large and colorful. Entrance is through Jensen Kreitzer.
Karlene Jensen owns Accents Northwest. Ph. 503-769-2926 –
jensen2@att.net
- Star Cinema - Built 1948 - 350 N. 3rd Avenue. From the outside
the theater looks almost as it did when it opened in 1949. Neon
spells out the name Star in large letters. Inside, the theater has
an old fashioned look and has been restored with newer larger seats
and sound. New movies are shown. Occasionally there are Mid-week
concerts. Robin and Jeff Mexico are the proprietors. Ph. 503-767-STAR
(7827) – starcinema.net
- Art Gone Wild – Built 1935 - 279 3rd Avenue. This gallery
is a showcase for local artists and crafts people. Events are held
to promote art and artists. There are poetry readings on the second
Sunday of the month. Paul Toews proprietor. – Ph. 503-769-2006
– www.artgonewildgallery.com
- Lovin Oven – Built 1935 – 374 3rd Avenue. The cakes
and deserts from the Lovin Oven are the best around. This bakery
supplies baked goods to many fine restaurants. There are tables
to sit at and enjoy the delicious baked goods and sandwiches. –
Mike & Valerie Shultz owners. – Ph.503-769-5538
- Monte’s Coins and More, Inc. – Built 1923 –
247 3rd Avenue. In addition to rare coins, you can also find gems
and jewelry. Monte buys, sells, and trades coins, currency, tokens,
stamps, antiques, and collectibles. – It is owned by Monte
Mensing – Ph. 503-769-7183 – montesinc.com
- 3rd Avenue Antiques - Built 1912 – 193 3rd Avenue. This
fun store is full of antiques and collectibles. Pre WW II, Americana
including pictures, books, tools, furniture, glass, large selection
of vintage greeting cards and sewing buttons. Linda Whitehead is
the owner. Ph. 503-769-2888 – cole@wvi.com
- Holm Collectables – 1998 - Replica of St. Clements Winery
building in Napa, California - 618 2nd Avenue - This is a wonderful
shop, as nice as any in all of Oregon. Porcelain dolls, music books,
Fenton Glass, Fitz and Floyd. It is owned by Linda Holm –
Ph. 503-769-4726
- Charles Brown House – 1903 Queen Anne House – Corner
of 1st and High – This house has a rich and varied history.
From 1929 to 1938 it was the Stayton Hospital. In 2001, the Santiam
Heritage Foundation bought this house to restore and return it back
to its original splendor and grandeur. The Brown House was placed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Become a member of the Santiam Heritage Foundation. As a member
you will receive updates on restoration, events and fundraisers.
When restored, the house will be available for community and private
events. To learn more please call, or visit our website. Ph. 503-769-8860.
www.brownhouse.org
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