The history committee collects photos and conducts interviews about residents, past and present, in order to develop a visual and oral record of our neighborhood.
[Inline:1="Montage of BNA History projects. Photos by Victor von Salza." alt="BNAHsMontage.jpg"]
Buildings, Interviews, On Going Investigations, A Browse thru Bridlemile
If you have any information regarding any of the articles, photos, or stories on these pages, or have historical items you would like to submit (or that can be copied), or would like to help the history committee in one or more of its investigations please contact Bridlemile History Chair Ginger Danzer, 503-292-9460.
Thank you to everyone who has generously shared their time and stories.
by the Foulecourt Press 2004 Portland, Oregon
Albert Kelly was an early settler in Oregon, a pioneer minister or "circuit rider".
He was born in 1814, descended from an old colonial family, which had settled in Pulaski County, Kentucky.
In 1848, Albert and three of his brothers set out for Oregon. He and brother Clinton got as far as Independence, Missouri, when Albert's livestock were scattered by a storm and lost. Brother Clinton kept on going, but Albert turned back and delayed coming west until the next year. In 1849, Albert and his family joined with a military party under one Capt. Jones, being sent west in response to the Whitman massacre.
Albert first scouted the area now known as Holladay Park, but was discouraged by the lack of a reliable supply of water. Later, he and one Finice Caruthers explored the area west of the hills, and found it much more to their liking. Albert made his land claim including what is now designated Section 17.
In 1850, Albert and his sons put up a cabin of logs and shakes, and moved into it in September, 1850 - just in time for the birth of his daughter Martha (later, Mrs. O.P.S. Plummer), in November, 1850.
Albert and his family farmed the land, and Albert served his church as a circuit-riding minister until his death in 1873.
Two of Albert's brothers also are remembered in local landmarks: Kelly Butte and Kelly Butte Park just east of I-205 are named for older brother Clinton Kelly, who had a donation land claim east of the Willamette river. And Kelly Creek, which runs through Gresham, is named for brother Gilmore Kelly, who had a land claim in that area.
Albert Kelly Park came into being as the result of an offer from Mrs. Hildegarde Plummer Withers in 1956 to the then Parks Superintendent Buckley, to provide some 9 acres of land in Section 17, Township 1S, Range 1E, Willamette Meridian, if it would be dedicated as a park and named after her grandfather, Albert Kelly.
The offer was accepted, and for the sum of $25,000, the city of Portland took title to the land.
Through a series of land swaps and changes in 1959, 1963 and 1965, the park was somewhat reshaped and enlarged to its present size of 12.8 acres.The enlargement to the north, to the former S.W. Lee Street, permitted establishment of the playing field in the Northwest corner of the park, and setting up a backstop for softball in 1976.
In 1977, rowdy late-night alcoholic parties in the park provoked a petition from neighbors for the city to prohibit use of the park after midnight. A city ordinance was enacted in response, and the park today is closed between midnight and 5 AM.
Over the years, various improvements have been made, including the swings, slide, teeter-totter and merry-go-round in the play-ground area, a picnic table, soccer goal frames and a volley-ball net. The little bridge* over the creek was Marshal Alberton's Troop 229 Eagle Scout project in early 2000, with bridge materials donated by Parr Lumber Co.
One improvement, a small playfield area in the southeast corner of the park, was created recently over the protests of adjacent property-owners. Its construction aggravated a long-time problem in the park, of underground water seepage, causing basement flooding of at least one house on S.W. Boundary Street.
Most native species of birds and animals populating the area in the 19th century have long ago yielded to the pressures of urban existence. The park now is principally populated with crows, squirrels and a small colony of gophers in the swale at the western end of the park.
Native trees include a substantial stand of firs in the southeast portion of the park, several pines in the southwestern part, and a few deciduous varieties scattered throughout the park.
By the 1990's, many areas of the park had been overgrown by invasive species - non-native plants introduced by human agency, which tend to choke out the native species. The most serious have been the Himalayan blackberry and English ivy. The latter was responsible for killing many of the trees along the banks of the creek.
In 2003, a neighborhood association, the Bridlemile Creek Stewards, undertook to clear out the blackberries, ivy and holly from the creek area in the northeast area of the park, and replace them with more appropriate native trees and shrubbery. With a grant of $5000 from the Community Watershed Stewardship Program and the cooperation of the Portland Parks and Recreation Department and the Bureau of Environmental Services, the program started in early summer by clearing much of the creek area, and climaxed in January 2004 with the planting of hundreds of seedlings of more appropriate species.
The new tree plantings include ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, grand fir, western hemlock, white alder, Oregon white oak and pacific willow. In addition, several varieties of roses, Oregon grape, flowering currants, a Chilean strawberry and other shrubs were planted along the banks of the creek.
The little creek in Albert Kelly park is named Restoration Creek. (Bridlemile Creek runs along the east side of Hamilton Park, and Kelly Creek is in east Multnomah county is named after Albert's brother Gilmore Kelly.)
A pictorial history of the replanting program can be viewed online by visiting the Albert Kelly Creek Restoration web site, which has links to blog pages with more details.
Other details of the Bridlemile Creek Stewards activities can be found at the Bridlemile Creek Stewards web site.
photos by Victor von Salza
[Inline:1="BnaAHLp2002.04.22-018.jpg" alt="The completed level play area. Photo by Victor von Salza." ]
The completed level play area.
In Fall of 1999 the PYSA, Bridlemile Soccer Club, and Vista Soccer Club proposed to create and together with Portland Parks pay for the development of Level Play Areas at Albert Kelly Park and Thomas Parks. Wendy Kent and other neighbors of the park formed a committee, which resulted in much review of the proposed project, a letter from the BNA Board about the proposal
[Inline:2="BnaAHLpLt.pdf, 8 KB"] 8 KB / 3 pages
and ended in a LUBA appeal. In the Fall of 2001, the LUBA decision affirmed the City's determination that no conditional use process was required before creating the level play area at Albert Kelly Park. But in order to make sure that the city's promises regarding the type of use of the are would be honored a Good Neighbor Agreement was developed:
[Inline:3="BnaAHLpGNAv2.pdf, 17 KB"] 17 KB/ 3 pages
In October of 2001 construction began, and after making some corrections to the drainage swale in April 2002 (one neighbors house had flooding in its basement) the level play area opened for use in September of 2002.
[Inline:4="BnaAHLpPano43-44.jpg" alt="The lay of the land before construction began. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The lay of the land before construction began.
[Inline:5="BnaAHLpPano15-16.jpg" alt="Erosion control barrier in place. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Erosion control barrier in place.
[Inline:6="BnaAHLpPano39-41.jpg" alt="The play area takes shape. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The play area takes shape.
[Inline:7="BnaAHLpPano5-7.jpg" alt="Grading completed. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Grading completed.
[Inline:8="BnaAHLp2002.04.22-012.jpg" alt="More water than expected came in this direction. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
More water than expected came in this direction.
[Inline:9="BnaAHLp2002.04.22-011.jpg" alt="One house had basement flooding. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
One house had basement flooding.
[Inline:10="BnaAHLpN0054.jpg" alt="Cutting a swale to direct runoff west towards the creek. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Cutting a swale to direct runoff west towards the creek.
[Inline:11="BnaAHLpN0062.jpg" alt="The completed swale, which solved runoff problems. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The completed swale, which solved the runoff problems.
[Inline:1="BnaAHLp2002.04.22-018.jpg" alt="The completed level play area. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The completed level play area.
[Inline:12="BnaAHLpPano487-9.gif" alt="The completed level play area and drainage swale. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The completed level play area and drainage swale.
If you know anything about the origins of Hamilton Park please contact Ginger Danzer at 503-292-9460.
Information about the Bridlemile Creek Restoration that runs along the east end of Hamilton Park can be found here.
There are two stories about how the Hamilton Park Playground equipment was renovated:
• Hamilton Park Playgroud Renovation 5th Anniversary a copy of the December 2006 SW Connection article by Linda Bonder
• BNA Playground Renovation History page by Linda Bonder and Victor von Salza, includes: detailed lessons learned, before, during, and after photos, more.
by Linda Bonder and Victor von Salza
Photos by Victor von Salza
Linda Bonder organized and led a cooperative effort between neighbors, donors, and the City that resulted in new safer playground equipment at Hamilton Park
Until the fall of 2001 the playground consisted of a merry-go-round with asphalt surfacing around it; a big old metal slide where little kids fell between the stairs, with little "turn-around room" at the top where shoes could get stuck sometimes resulting in a fall off the sides of the slide; a set of three teeter-totters; a swing set; and some rock art that kids climbed on.
[Inline:1="BNAHp11.jpg" alt="Old Playground Equipment" Photo by Victor von Salza"]
The old playground equipment at Hamilton Park.
With its location in the heart of the Bridlemile neighborhood and next to Bridlemile Elementary School, Hamilton Park held great promise to be a valuable resource and meeting place for local families. But even on beautiful summer days, the park was virtually empty. People did use the park on soccer days, but many families were frustrated because there was no safe place for younger children to play.
The overall objective of the Hamilton Park Improvement Committee was to make Hamilton Park fun and safe for families with children ages two to twelve. Our goal was to make the park a neighborhood draw, to increase the sense of community and safety in the Bridlemile area.
The new play structure with integrated slides and climbers is where the metal slide and merry-go-round used to be. One area of the play structure is most appropriate for smaller kids. A new swing set with child swings is near the play structure. The swings and play structure have a bark-dust type of ground surfacing that is wheel chair (and stroller) accessible. The old see saws and swings remain.
[Inline:2="BNAHp2002.04.28-011.jpg" alt="New Playground Equipment. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The New Playground Equipment.
An asphalt path now comes down from the road, winds around the new play areas, and connects to the school. The old water fountain will be replaced with a new, accessible drinking fountain.
The new playground equipment was officially dedicated at the August 6th, 2002 Bridlemile Picnic and National Night Out Celebration.
[Inline:3="BNAPicnic2002009VVS.jpg" alt="BNA Picnic & Playground Dedication at Hamilton Park 2002. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
August 2002 BNA Picnic & Playground Dedication at Hamilton Park. Top to Bottom on play structure: Dan Saltzman, Linda Bonder, Kathy Bambeck.
In case you haven't been by the park lately, it has been fantastic to watch so many kids having such fun on the project that we all made happen.
Q. How how much money was raised?
A. A total of $71,000 was raised.
Q. Who donated money?
A. Thanks to anonymous donor who provided matching funds, and the many generous people who took advantage of it, we have met our funding goals! $20,000 from the Parks Bureau, and $51,000 from over 170 families, and 28 business and foundation donors, including (in decreasing order of size):
WRG Design
Bedrock Excavation & Construction
SiteLines Park & Playground, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
The Irwin Foundation
Bridlemile PTA
Phil Wax (The Hasson Company)
Total Landscape Care
Bridlemile Soccer Club
Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation
Metro Paving
Mrs. Moe M. Tonkon Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
NW Natural
Wells Fargo
Albertson's
Fidelity National Title
Kinko's
Mike Skillman (Meadows Group)
Safeway
Hilltop Mobil Service
Louise Magun (Windermere)
The Adams Foundation
Thomas Inglesby (ReMax Equity Group)
Pat Weiss (ReMax Equity Group)
Ruth Howland (Meadows Group)
Hot Lips Pizza
Papa Murphy
Gourmet Coffee
And a very Special Thank You to our most active committee members: Beth Allen, Jon Cohen, Betsy Kauffman, Tamra Kjos, Stephanie MacFarland, Eileen Moriarty, Brian Pauleen, Stacey Todderud, and Victor von Salza.
And to all those who donated time and effort in: storing the play structure, helping assemble the play structure, spreading bark chips, and with the many other details required to complete the project.
[Inline:4="BNAHp2001.08.15-Pano2.jpg" alt="The calm before construction began. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The calm before construction began.
[Inline:5="BNAHp2001.10.24-Pano3.jpg" alt="Reshaping the area. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Reshaping the area.
[Inline:6="BNAHp2001.10.26-19.jpg" alt="Raising the first platform. Photo by Victor von Salza." ]
Raising the first platform.
[Inline:7="BNAHp2001.11.10-Pano7.jpg" alt="A huge pile of chips. Photo by Victor von Salza." ]
A huge pile of chips.
[Inline:8="BNAHp2001.10.27-12.jpg" alt="Linda calls in for better weather. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Linda calls in for better weather.
[Inline:9="BNAHp2001.11.10-32.jpg" alt="Everybody chips in. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Everybody chips in.
[Inline:10="BNAHp2001.11.10-35.jpg" alt="How many wheelbarrows does it take to fill... Photo by Victor von Salza."]
How many wheelbarrows does it take to fill...
[Inline:11="BNAHp2001.11.10-43.jpg" alt="Fine tuning the chips. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
Fine tuning the chips.
[Inline:12="BNAHp2001.11.10-51.jpg" alt="Topping out. Photo by Victor von Salza." ]
Topping out.
[Inline:2="BNAHp2002.04.28-011.jpg" alt="The Renovated Playground on a fine Spring Evening. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The Renovated Playground on a fine Spring Evening.
Linda Bonder's final report on the Hamilton Park Playground project detailing how it was done, and what might have been done better.
[Inline:14=BNAHPLB.pdf,100 KB] 100 KB/ 4 pages
If you have questions, comments, or if you would like to see the entire project budget, please contact Linda Bonder, at BeOutside@alum.mit.edu, 503-223-8865,
Hamilton Park Playground Committee Chairperson
[Inline:13="BNAHp2002.04.28-008.jpg" alt="The Renovated Playground on a fine Spring Evening. Photo by Victor von Salza."]
The Renovated Playground on a serene Spring Evening.
Bridlemile has a number of homes of historic and architectural interest a number of which are listed on the Historic Inventory of Portland, Oregon and one on the National Register of Historic Places. Although there are only three currently listed here, more coming soon.
Ginger Danzer, ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
If you have any information, photos, or stories regarding the buildings below or other historic/significant buildings in Bridlemile please contact Ginger.
[Inline:5="BNAHBC2332v2.jpg" alt="Fairvale Store on SW Shattuck in 1909, photo provided by Roger Hancock"]
The Fairvale Store, SW Shattuck in 1909. Rogers' Family photo.
The Fairvale Store eventually moved down to the NW corner of Shattuck and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway
[Inline:6="BNAHsMHAFairvaleStore.jpg" alt="Fairvale Store at corner of Beaverton Hillsdale Highway and Shattuck Road, photo used by permission from the Multnomah Historical Association courtesy of Evelyn Rogers"]
The Fairvale Store, at corner of SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway and SW Shattuck Road. Photo courtesy of Evelyn Rogers used with permission from the Multnomah Historical Association.
and in 1955 Mrs. Rogers sold it to Albertsons.
[Inline:1="BNAHBC2332v2.jpg" alt="The Long House 4402 SW Shattuck, photo by Victor von Salza"]
The Long House, 4402 SW Shattuck. Photo by Victor von Salza
Richard and Delores Long bought the house in 1943 and lived it into the 1970's I think. Annette Long Stone was raised in the house. More history of the house to come...
[Inline:2="BNAHBTHOv2.jpg" alt="Tigard/Rogers House, 4504 SW Shattuck (corner of SW Shattuck and Hamilton), from an old Rogers' Family photo"]
Tigard/Rogers House 4504 SW Shattuck (corner of SW Shattuck & Hamilton). Rogers' Family Photo. To see how tree in above picture looks today click here.
[Inline:3="BNAHBC2329v2.jpg" alt="Tigard/Rogers House 2004, photo by Victor von Salza"]
Tigard/Rogers House 4504 SW Shattuck (corner of SW Shattuck & Hamilton) 2004. Photo by Victor von Salza.
[Inline:4="BNAHBC2313-15v2.jpg" alt="Wilcox Manor, photo by Victor von Salza"]
Wilcox Manor 3707 SW 52nd Place (turn north off Windsor Court). Photo by Victor von Salza.
The Wilcox Estate was the country home of Theodore B. Wilcox, a banker and major player in the China flour trade in Portland from 1884-1918. The estate, called Glenwood Farms, was designed in the Colonial Revival style by architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter and completed in 1917.
[Inline:7="BNAHsWilcoxGardenCKahle.jpg" alt="Wilcox Manor Garden, photo by Chris Kahle"]
Wilcox Manor Gardens designed by L.M. Thielsen. Photo by Chris Kahle.
When Wilcox died in 1918 the estate was given to his son, Theodore Burney Jr. (Ted), who lived in the home until 1948. They sold the property, now known as Wilcox Manor, to the Order of the Holy Cross for use as a school. The Columbia Preparatory School was a private Catholic High School for boys until 1955 when it was sold to land developer, Robert Strahorn, who subdivided the 160 acres into hundreds of lots. The estate came into the hands of John and Ruth Powell who were associated with Strahorn. A Mr. Ballentine owned the property next and remodeled the Manor into eight apartments. In 1965 Ken Guenther purchased it, and had it placed it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. As part of the requirements for being on the National Register of Historic Places it is open for public viewing once a year. Currently Wilcox Estates is a condominium complex.
Of related interest:
• 2003 Interview with and Mary Lou Ken Guenther by Ginger Danzer and Bev Shaw.
• Theodore B. Wilcox, Captain of Industry and Magnate of the China Flour Trade, 1884–1918
• Classic Houses of Portland 1850-1950 William J. Hawkins III and William F. Willingham
• The Southwest Community Connection, April 1996
• The Oregonian September 1997
• The Southwest Connection August 2007 Wilcox Manor opens its doors to neighbors" by Jessie Kirk
[Inline:8="BNAHsWilcox4JulyParadeCKahle.jpg" alt="Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue brought up the rear of the 40th annual Wilcox Estates 4th of July Parade. "]
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue brought up the rear of the 40th annual Wilcox Estates 4th of July Parade. Photo by Chris Kahle.
Wendy Squires and Angel Lopez own the house known in Bridlemile as the Walther House at 4021 SW 45th Avenue. Angel and Isabel Lopez gave me a tour of their home. Fred and Rosa Walthers built the house in 1948. The architect was Ericson. The signature feature the houses Ericson built in Portland are wagon wheel windows. The one in the Walther home is in the guest bathroom. Half the wagon wheel turns to open the window.
Originally 50 acres surrounded the home. Beautiful old trees fill the .9 acre property. Angel Lopez was told that Mr. Walthers may have been from the south because many of the trees he planted are magnolias and dogwoods, trees typically found in the southern part of the US. There are 51 trees on the property. A circular drive forms the approach to the house. On the north side of the drive a steep down slope section leads to the garage. A small building that resembles a playhouse also on the house on the north is the well house. A well still supplies water to the gardens. It probably provided water to the house before electricity was installed.
The home has been carefully maintained as it was in the 1940’s. The front door opens into a gracious entry hall. The living room is directly ahead, study and bedrooms to the right (north) and the kitchen is to the left (south). All the original features remain including big windows in each room with lovely views of the grounds. A large marble fireplace is an outstanding feature of the west-facing living room which joins a large bright dining room. There is a door from the dining room to the patio. Attractive wood detail is around the ceilings and over the windows in all the rooms. The floors are hardwood and original. There is built in storage everywhere. Closets are lighted. The kitchen, which faces east on 45th, has tile counters retaining the 40’s look. The windows are asol original. Angel and Wendy plan to update the kitchen but will keep it in the period. Across the hall is a room that was probably originally a study. There are lovely built in cabinets and bookshelves. Clever lighting recessed above and below the mirror over the basin gives the bath a charming look. All the rooms are large and comfortable but the master bedroom is especially large and bright. A door off the kitchen leads to the full basement. The lower level has a large family room, a bedroom and big laundry. The bathroom below the main bath upstairs has a clothes chute. There is a huge workroom/furnace room. Angel said that recently they had the furnace worked on and were advised to keep the original furnace in and just upgrade the added parts. The heating system is forced air and the large furnace is oil fed. An unusual feature of the heating system is that it is designed in three zones. Each is controlled separately. What a great tour.
Fred and Rosa Walthers 1948 – 1979
John and Jan Wilson 1979 – 1985
Richard and Laurel Baird 1985 - 1998
[Inline:1="BNAHVShattuck18902004.gif" alt="Photos from Oregon Historical Society and Victor von Salza."]
Shattuck Rd as seen from a bit south of Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy as it looked in 2004, photo by Victor von Salza and in the 1890's, photo #26860 by permission of the Oregon Historical Society; to see larger static version click here. In the 1890's photo the White building at left with two outhouses along the back fence is Fairvale School, and just above it is the Fairvale Grocery Store. Peeking out from the trees to the right of the store is the Tigard/Rogers House at the corner of Hamilton Street (called Hess Rd back then) and Shattuck Rd which still stands today.
[Inline:2="BNAHVBvHwySm.jpg" alt="Detail from panorama of BvHwy. Photo uncredited."]
Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy and Shattuck Rd as seen from a bit south of Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy and west of Shattuck, probably taken in the 1920's. Photo uncredited, to see larger version click here. BvHwy runs diagonally from mid right edge to lower left corner, and Shattuck runs from approximately mid left hand edge to lower right corner. Farivale School is the white building near the left edge center of the photo, and the Fairvale Grocery Store has moved down to the corner of Shattuck and what is now Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy (just to the lower right of the center of the photo).
[Inline:1="BNAHVBvHwyLg.jpg" alt="Detail from panorama of BvHwy. Photo uncredited."]
Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy and Shattuck Rd as seen from a bit south of Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy and west of Shattuck, probably taken in the 1920's. Photo uncredited. BvHwy runs diagonally from mid right edge to lower left corner, and Shattuck runs from approximately mid left hand edge to lower right corner. Farivale School is the white building near the left edge center of the photo, and the Fairvale Store has moved down to the corner of Shattuck and what is now Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy (just to the lower right of the center of the photo).
[Inline:1="BNAHVShattuck1890Lg.jpg" alt="Photos from Oregon Historical Society and Victor von Salza."]
Shattuck Rd as seen from a bit south of Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy as it looked in the 1890's, photo #26860 by permission of the Oregon Historical Society. The White building at left with two outhouses along the back fence is Fairvale School, and just above it is the Fairvale Store. Peeking out from the trees to the right of the store is the Tigard/Rogers House at the corner of Hamilton Street (called Hess Rd back then) and Shattuck Rd which still stands today.
The history committee conducts interviews about and with residents, past and present, in order to develop a record of our neighborhood.
Thank you to everyone who has generously shared their time and stories.
Video clips by Melinda McCrossen
Photographs by Victor von Salza
During the 2005 - 2006 school year, the Fourth and Fifth Grade students at Bridlemile Elementary School(BES) investigated the history of Bridlemile and surrounding neighborhoods. The students interviewed longtime Bridlemile residents about the history of the neighborhood and what it was like to live and grow up here back then.
[Inline:1="BNAHC4732i.jpg" alt="Melinda McCrossen with five of the interviewees" title="Melinda McCrossen with five of the interviewees"]
Melinda McCrossen with five of the interviewees after the event.
On April 12, 2006 the students presented some of their findings at a joint Brildlemile Elementary School / BNA event.
[Inline:2="BNAHC4723-24.jpg" alt="Setting up for the event" width="390" height="170" title="Setting up for the event"]
Setting up for the event.
Below are links* to the wonderful and informative Bridlemile Elementary School Oral History Project video clip selections shown at the April 12th, 2006 presentation:
[Inline:3="BNAHBesOhpOwenCramer.jpg" alt="Owen Cramer PPS BES Oral History Project"]
Click on this link to watch video of Owen Cramer talking about living on upper Dosch Rd from 1920's, schools he attended, family farm where school is today, proposed tunnel from Portland, local saw mill during WWII, winter sleding from Dosch Rd to Hamilton St, after school sports, and the Columbus Day Storm. December 14, 2005
[Inline:4="BNAHBesOhpJimDriscoll.jpg" alt="Jim Driscoll PPS BES Oral History Project"]
Click on this link to watch video of Jim Driscoll talking about Albert Kelly, first orchards, The 1859 Prarie Traveler Guide Book (shown above), and what was grown on the Albert Kelly farm. December 15, 2005
[Inline:5="BNAHBesOhpKenLeatherman.jpg" alt="Ken Leatherman PPS BES Oral History Project"]
Click on this link to watch video of Ken Leatherman talking about living during 1950's, lower Brookford, water and sewer, building the school, bow and arrow business, ring neck pheasants, notable residents, longtime Brookford residents, snakes, fish in Fanno Creek, and building homes in the 1940's. December 12, 2005
[Inline:6="BNAHBesOhpBillSchumacher.jpg" alt="Bill Schumacher PPS BES Oral History Project"]
Click on this link to watch video of Bill Schumacher talking about Hillsdale Piggley Wiggley Market, Glen Cullen railroad, Heritage Trees, water well, local taxidermists quail and wood duck, local fauna and Doschdale. January 2006
[Inline:7="BNAHBesOhpBevShaw.jpg" alt="Bev Shaw PPS BES Oral History Project" ]
Click on this link to watch video of Bev Shaw talking about location of Bridlemile School, pheasants, school plaque, Fiona fountain, and a car accident. December 15, 2005
[Inline:8="BNAHBesOhpAnnetteLongStone.jpg" alt="Annette (Long) Stone PPS BES Oral History Project"]
Click on this link to watch video of Annette (Long) Stone talking about living on a chicken ranch, chores, local store, and the Great Depression. December 13, 2005
*The above video clips are located on the
Portland Public Schools Media Library, History of Bridlemile page. NOTE: If your browser, e.g. Internet Explorer, does not play the above clips, right click on the image and choose "Download Link to Disk", then after the file has downloaded play it using QuickTime Player.
In between each of the video clips students read brief reports (shown as Powerpoint slides) on related history topics that the students had researched.
[Inline:9="BNAHC4728.jpg" alt="Students reading from the Powerpoint Reports."]
Students reading from the Powerpoint Reports.
[Inline:10="BNAHC4732s.jpg" alt="Students who presented"]
Students who gave the presentation.
To contact BES Media Specialist Melinda McCrossen, mmccrossen@pps.k12.or.us, 503-916-6292.
[Inline:11="BNAHC4732.jpg" alt="Students and interviewees after the event."]
Students and interviewees after the event.
What a wonderful way for our children to learn to interview and document past events! Thanks to all those who participated.
Helen Trayle is an artist whose aquatint etchings were on display at the Broderick Gallery in August 2006. Helen has lived in Bridlemile for much of her life and besides being a wonderful artist she can tell good stories about growing up among the lovely orchards of our neighborhood. If you missed the article in the August 2006 SW Connection contact Bridlemile History Chair Ginger Danzer, 503-292-9460 to borrow a copy.
talk about living in Bridlemile during the second half of the 1950's
[Inline:1="BNAHiJNH.jpg" alt="John and Nancy Haleston"]
John and Nancy Haleston. Photo by Ginger Danzer
As young twenty-five year olds, John and Nancy Haleston bought their Bridlemile lot and began building their home in 1954. They bought the property on 3805 SW Jerald Way from the realtor, Lyle Nosler who was developing the property with Dr. John H. Powell, the owner, and John J. Whelan, architect. John has an original of the brochure promoting the area that had been recently named Bridlemile. Their home and several others in the area were built by Louie Cotsifas and his son George. The land was in Multnomah County and they bought their water from Portland. John does not think the area was well plotted. Some of the lots are very deep and because of the grade, frequently resulted in huge front yards with no privacy at the expense of disproportionately small back yards.
The flow of the water down the hill and onto the streets was not considered carefully enough and there was very little attempt to control the water except for the deep ditches beside the road. Many of these have been filled over time forcing the water back onto the streets and onto someone else's property. Neighbors who wonder why the streets are so poorly maintained do not realize that the development was not originally in the city of Portland and the streets only had to meet the county standards. Since those standards did not meet the City of Portland requirements when the area was annexed, the streets can only be maintained (such as holes etc.) and never will be re-paved at the city's expense. At one time, John is not sure when, there was a move to organize a Local Improvement District (LID) to improve the streets and perhaps add curbs but nothing came of it. John asserts that it would have been a huge and expensive task as many of the houses were set above or below the grade of the street and many have usurped part of the street easement into their yards.
John and Nancy have thoroughly enjoyed their Bridlemile home. They raised a daughter and two sons there and have great memories of a wonderful neighborhood filled with children and young families who enjoyed each other's company. Horses occasionally were ridden in the neighborhood and Haleston's have pictures of their daughter riding her horse right up to their house. Another horse rider was the daughter of Bridlemile residents Ted and Phyllis White. The girls would tether their animals down by the ravine at the eastern edge of what is now Hamilton Park.
The Bridlemile development extended from Dosch Road to the west which is now 41st Street. At the southern end of 41st the paved road came to an end. Before 41st joined the road alongside the park there was about 100 feet unpaved....barely OK for a drive through in dry weather. During the rainy season, it was impassable. Halestons remember thinking it would be an asset when the road could be paved as it would provide them with another route to Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. When the paving did occur it was an asset in one way but a liability in another. The traffic through the neighborhood increased considerably!
The wildlife in Bridlemile was abundant in the early days, especially the pheasants. Of course the creatures were to diminish as the homes developed.
In the initial days of the neighborhood all the children went to Robert Gray or Hayhurst Schools. In 1958 when the Haleston's daughter was ready to enter kindergarten, all children in the area transferred to the brand new Bridlemile School which at that time encompassed all eight grades.
John and Nancy identified the lots of the old map in the brochure naming the families who built the homes. The Haleston's did not know Ruth and John Powell, they must have moved out of the neighborhood by 1954.
The Haleston's are long-time Portlanders. Nancy Allison moved to Portland when she was four, and John was born here. They both went to Alameda Grade School and Grant High School. Making a move from the east side of Portland to build a home on the "far, far" west side of the city was the near equivalent to moving to Hillsboro and out in the country. Look at the west side homes now!! John was a pharmacist and, with his father, operated pharmacies in downtown Portland. For that reason John is very familiar with the development of the downtown portion of our city. The proximity of the Bridlemile district to the hub of Portland has certainly proved to be an advantage for all who have chosen this section for owing property and making a home here.
talk about the Wilcox Manor in this interview done by Ginger Danzer and Bev Shaw on March 21, 2003 (with some additions from a visit with Ruth Powell, March 24, 2003).
[Inline:1="BNAHBC2313-15v2.jpg" alt="Wilcox Manor, photo by Victor von Salza"]
Wilcox Manor 3707 SW 52nd Place (turn north off Windsor Court). Photo by Victor von Salza.
The Wilcox Manor at 3707 SW 52nd Place is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Bridlemile’s only historic building is owned by Ken and Mary Lou Guenther who have been enthusiatic preservationists of the beautiful estate since Ken Guenther purchased it in 1965. Today the Manor presents the elegance of 1917, the year it was completed. The Guenthers have an extensive history of the property and continue to seek information historical information.
The original property was 160 acres. The Manor, a three storey southern colonial style building, had fourteen bedrooms, a 30 x 14 foot living room, a billiard room, a library and servants quarters. A beautiful classical sunken garden the size of a football field was behind the home. The architect was Kirtland K. Cutter of Spokane, WA and the L. M Thielsen designed the garden.
Theodore Burney Wilcox, a wealthy Portland businessman, built Glenwood Farm as a country home for his family. He purchased 160 acres of what was the Peter Smith donation land claim. Wilcox died the year after its completion. His wife, Nellie Stevens Wilcox, preferred to live in the Portland home and the home was given to her son. The son, Theodore B. Wilcox Jr. (Ted), and his wife, Elizabeth Menefee Wilcox, lived in the Manor for 30 years. In 1948 they sold it to the University of Portland and the Holy Cross Fathers who moved their Columbia Preparatory School to the site. The school operated from the Manor until 1955 when a shrinking student population forced it to close. The property was sold to Robert Strahorn.
After Strahorn purchased the Manor he hosted a huge ball in the elegant rooms. The occasion is mentioned in several articles about the Manor. There still could be people in the area who attended the event.
Robert Strahorn was a developer. At the time he purchased the Wilcox property he was associated with John Powell and had built homes in the Bridlemile and Brookford sections of the neighborhood. Reports of Strahorn’s business difficulties appear in several accounts of neighborhood history. In a business separation John and Ruth Powell acquired the Wilcox property. During this time it is said that Strahorn moved to Santa Barbara with his bookkeeper.
The Powell’s continued to develop many lovely homes in the Wilcox area but had difficulty keeping up the Manor. Vandalism was a problem. Mrs. Powell tells stories of high school students sneaking into the house through the coal chute to have club initiations. The Powells sold the Manor and the garden to a Mr. Ballentine.
It was Ballentine who remodeled the Manor into eight apartments. There is no information about the Ballentine years.
By 1965, when Ken Guenther bought it, the Manor needed a great deal of attention and was heavily mortgaged and reduced to six acres. Ken Guenther and neighbors remember the broken windows and peeling paint. Ken Guenther built the duplexes to the north of the garden.
Ken and Mary Lou Guenther have owned the Wilcox Estate longer than anyone else. Because it is on the National Register of Historic Buildings, maintaining the home is a ongoing project.
There are eight apartments in the Manor. Three are on the ground floor, four on the second floor and one on the third floor. A porte-cochere entrance, leads to the main hall which has the lovely original paneling, a handsome chandelier and curved staircase to the second floor. The flooring is also original, striking black and white diamond shaped linoleum. The beautiful medallion wallpaper became water stained. The Guenthers worked to duplicate it but the cost was prohibitive. They removed the paper and painted the walls a muted green very close to the color of the original wallpaper. A door at the back of the hall leads to a guest toilet with the distinctive 1917 small patterned tile floor and to a workroom that now serves as a laundry room and exercise room. Doors open onto the large brick deck and garden. At the west end of the garden is the beautiful pool and pergola.
The Guenther’s spacious two storey apartment is in the north wing. The original dining room is now their large and lovely living room. The breakfast room has become a beautiful diningroom with a garden view. Other first floor rooms in this wing were the kitchen, pantry and Manor service rooms. While visiting in Spokane the Guenther’s found the original sketches of the Manor in a museum featuring the work of the architect, Kirkland Cutter.
Mrs. Powell admired the beautiful German silver chandelier that hung in the formal dining room, now the Guenther’s living room. She believes that it was an antique when it was installed in the dining room in 1917. Mary Lou Guenther is quite fond of the chandelier too, but says that it is challenge to keep it shining. They were lucky to be able to replace some of its missing crystals.
When asked if any of the Wilcox family returned to see the estate. In 1995, Jim Brown, who was married to Towner Wilcox and his son and wife, visited. They had many pictures of the estate and gave copies to the Guenthers. Mary Lou Guenther said that occasionally Columbia Prep students come for a nostalgic visit. The Guenther’s have some of the Columbia Prep Yearbooks and would like to have a complete set. Perhaps some interested alumnus will come to visit and have the missing copies.
See and read more about the Wilcox Manor here.
talk about the early development of Bridlemile, including the beginnings of the Brookford and Wilcox developments in this interview done by Ginger Danzer and Bev Shaw on January 13, 2003 (edited for web site publication February 2005).
[Inline:1="BNAHiRP.jpg" alt="Ruth Powell and Jane Tweeddale Photo by Ginger Danzer"]
Ruth Powell & Jane Tweeddale. Photo by Ginger Danzer
Mrs. Ruth Powell was a land owner, resident and developer of land. Jane Tweeddale owns a home on Jerald Way.
In 2001 Mrs. Powell spoke at the Bridlemile Neighborhood Association Meeting at the request of Barbara Paetzhold, the neighborhood historian. In an effort to retrieve that information after Barbara Paetzhold's death, Bev Shaw contacted Jane Tweeddale and arranged this visit at the Tweeddale home. Both Mrs. Powell and Jane Tweeddale enjoyed the neighborhood and have many wonderful memories of their first years in the area.
Mrs. Powell explained that in 1947 her husband, Jack, was looking for property in Portland with enough acreage to build a home and garden. Dr. Powell, a native of Kansas, was a dentist, whose office was on SE 37th and Hawthorne. Ruth Morrison, a native Portlander, was his patient, and in 1939, his wife. The Powells looked and looked for property. A friend told Dr. Powell about some land that was for sale by the Art Museum and that he was sure that Jack would like. Jack was busy and told Ruth to go with the friend to look at it. She immediately loved the land, open with nice stands of trees and a wonderful western vista to the valley. She encouraged her husband to look at the land, and it was soon theirs. They initially purchased about 35 acres and continued to buy contiguous parcels of land. Most of the property was in Multnomah County at the time except for a pie shaped piece which was in the city of Portland and on which the Belluschi house was built.
The Powells planned to develop the property and needed a name for it. One night, before they moved to the area, Ruth Powell was brushing her teeth and thinking about the land and hoping to raise horses on it. She thought, "Bridlemile, that is it." The street, Jerald Way is named for the Powell's son.
Mrs. Powell talked about a sawmill in the area of their Bridlemile property and also spoke fondly of the stand of trees on the land.
The Powell's first home, built by someone in the Belluschi firm, was in the city part of the property because during the war they could not build in the county. It was at 3500 SW Bridlemile Lane on the corner of Jerald Way.
The Powells lived in this house for five years. Then they built a second home at 3600 SW Bridlemile Lane and lived there for three years. Their mailboxes were on Dosch Road, which is also where children caught the school bus. Mrs. Powell spoke of a well that was at a corner of the property that they used to gravity feed water to their large Victory Garden. They sold potatoes and cabbage to Corno's Vegetable Market.
During the war years there were significant barriers to building. Mrs. Powell remembers that Robert Strahorn came to their door one day and asked if he could build homes on their lots. The Powells saw his work and knew that he built good homes. They became associated with Robert Strahorn. The Powells, and Strahorn combined their names to form a company named Strell and arranged to buy property the current Brookford property south of Hamilton from Dr. Ray. The was to build 110 houses, but Strahorn built 100 houses and everything was fine. The First National Bank wanted their money and Powells didn't have it. The Bridlemile property was mortgaged to the bank. Strahorn and his lawyer, a Mr. Simmons evidently had bought the Wilcox property instead of paying the bank or notifying the Powells.
Some of the first families to buy property from the Powells were: Ruth and Bill Hagenstein, Phyllis and Howard Fishell, Natalie and Jerry Weigel, Jean and Harry Ragsdale, and Alan and Jane Tweeddale.
In the Archives there is an undated copy of a brochure announcing the development of Bridlemile. The Architectural Design Committee is: Dr. John H. Powell, Lyle Nosler, realtor and John J. Whelan, Architect. Dr. John and Sylvia Brenwood lived at the corner of Dosch and Bridlemile Lane. He was a pediatrician.
Tom and Veneta Riley built their house, and Tom wrote articles about his efforts and progress for Sunset Magazine. He worked for Sunset writing "how to do it" articles. He was an expert at building things, including small items for the house.
As a result of the problems with Strahorn the Powell's became owners of the Wilcox Estate. Strahorn had purchased it from the Holy Cross Fathers in 1955 when they closed Columbia Prep. Mrs. Powell chuckled as she said it seemed funny to turn the carriage house into a home after it had been a Catholic Chapel during the Prep years. She remembered the bell in the tower of the carriage house. The Powells built homes in Wilcox and lived in a home next door to the carriage house. She said those were hard years to stay afloat managing the Wilcox development. She was astounded by the expense of putting in curbs. She had no idea that they went so deep and used so much cement. During this time Mrs. Powell became a real estate agent and was actively involved in the development of Wilcox.
Jane and Allen Tweeddale bought a lot from the Powell's in 1949 and built a beautiful home on SW Jerald Way. Jane shared her pictures of the area at the time their home was being built. Some of them are in the BNA History files. Jane tells how the line between the city and the county went right through their home. For some time they could be befuddled by rules of two jurisdictions.
Both women looked at photographs of the late 40's and early 50's and reminisced. They had memorable parties in the neighborhood.
Jane Tweeddale continues to live on Jerald way. Mrs. Ruth Powell currently lives in the Wilcox development in Bridlemile.
Below are a number of topics that we have collected some initial information on. If you have additional information please add it in the comments. If you have any related photographs or other related documents (we can scan or photograph them) that we could include in these stories please contact BNA History Chair Ginger Danzer, ggdanz@comcast.net, 503-292-9460
More information from John Walther. Montmore was the Crawford family area. The Crawfords owned and ran the saw mill on SW Tunnelwood, at approximately SW 40th today. Portland Public Schools in early 1950 wanted to build Bridlemile School at what is now 43rd Avenue and 47th Drive. Fred Walther had to sue Portland Public Schools to get it located at its present site...even though the gravel road from the home went west to Hamilton right through the school site. The school property was obtained through condemnation.
John Walther, the grandson of Fred and Rosa Walther, tells this Bridlemile story. The Walthers farmed land in what is now Bridlewood. The property, 68 acres, originally was owned by Chris and Lena Kerlking who grew nursery stock, primarily apple and pear trees. The Kerklings sold to the Walthers in 1946. The brick house on 45th Avenue was built in 1948. It did not have electricity until several months after it was completed. It has its own well, which still exists today. Fred Walther also "share cropped" the Eastern segment of the neighboring Woody Froom property with other Swiss Dairy Farm people to help pay the Multnomah County taxes. If you have any information or stories relating to the above please share.
Fifteen Bridlemile homes are on the Historic Resource Inventory of Portland, Oregon. A few of the neighbors whose homes are in the Inventory shared stories about them at the November 2006 BNA meeting. As more stories about these beautiful homes are gathered they will be made available at future meetings and on the Bridlemile Historic Buildings page.
Rod McKuen wrote a song, "Love's Been Good To Me" in 1969. A verse goes, "There was a girl in Portland/ Before the winter chill/ We used to go a-courtin'/ Along October Hill....".
Phil Stanford of the Portland Tribune has been investigating the where and who of this reference, and Sue Wunder contacted the BNA History Committee for help. So far we have learned that October Hill is the name of a housing development located in Bridlemile, but have yet to identify the girl in the song. In the May 31st Tribune, Stanford says that Attorney Bob Yanity knows that October Hill is off Terwilliger Blvd near the old Carnival Restaurant. Could there be two October Hills in Portland? How did Bridlemile's October Hill get its name? Who is the girl referred to in Rod McKuen's song?
The Red Electric Railroad, Southern Pacific’s Oregon Interurban did not run through Bridlemile but it was close. It ran just south of the current Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. It was built in 1871 and ran until the mid 1920’s. There are a few stories about Bridlemile folks riding it, if you have any please share.
While you are strolling through Bridlemile this summer, you may want to walk the loop in the Skylark subdivision. From Hamilton just west of 54th there is a path that goes south to Seymour St in Skylark. Or you can drive in from Beaverton Hillsdale Highway on SW 56th. If you know anything about when this area was developed or who developed it please share.
Bridlemile is composed of many small subdivisions. The History Committee is attempting to make a complete list.
Here's here are the ones we know of: Bridlemile, Bridlemile Place, Bridlewood, Brookford, Clarion, Doschdale, Hamilton Woods, Montmore, Raleighwood, Orchard Hill, Semler Park, Smoke Rise, Stonebrook, Tunnelwood Park, Wilcox Estates, Wilcox West.
If you know of others please share their names, where they are located, and anything else you may know about them.
Land going west from the Walther house to SW Shattuck and beyond was owned by Woody Froom. John Walther feels that the original Woody Froom home still exists on SW Shattuck, on the east side at about Thomas Street. Fred Walther "share cropped" the Eastern segment with other Swiss Dairy Farm people to help pay the Multnomah County taxes. If you have any information or stories relating to the above please share.
by Jane Ullman and Victor von Salza
In 2002 after about a year of investigation Jane Ullman and her neighbors together with stream and open space preservation activists, Portland Parks, and the land owner turned the Jacobs' flag lot into an Open Space Park.
[Inline:1="BNAHOspZp.gif" alt="Open Space Park off 58th, from Portland Maps"]
Zoning Map of the Jacobs property off SW58th; note that almost all of the lot (property with red dot in the center) is in either a conservation or preservation zone. From Portland Maps
[Inline:2="BNAHOspAp.jpg" alt="Aerial Photo of Open Space Park and adjacent properties off SW 58th"]
Together with the undeveloped portions of neighboring properties the Open Space Park (the flag lot with red dot in the center) forms a large open space in the middle of many homes. Areal Photo of the area from Portland Maps
[Inline:3="BNAHOspC2294-6.jpg" alt="NE Corner of the Open Space Park off SW58th. Photo by Victor von Salza" ]
A view of the NE corner of the Open Space Park in March 2004. Photo by Victor von Salza
Friday, January 25th 2002
Remember last year when a group of neighbors near SW 58th and Hamilton was looking for an organization to purchase and preserve a 2 acre plot of forest that was about to be developed? Well, it happened. In December, Portland Parks and Recreation purchased the property as a natural area. This purchase prevents development that would otherwise have divided a 15-20 acre swath of climax forest with multiple streams and springs in the Fanno Creek watershed.
We are deeply grateful to Parks for all the work they did on this project and for making the purchase. We hope the property's preservation will be a long-term benefit to the community.
I also want to thank you*. In various ways each of you helped make this a reality. Some of you provided technical assessments of the property that allowed us to move forward knowing that the property really was worth preserving. Others of you guided us toward the right people and coached us on how to approach organizations and advocate for the cause. To a person, I was impressed with the knowledge, professionalism, and commitment of the people I encountered during this process. I have communicated to my neighbors (and to anyone else who will listen) how grateful we should be that we live in a city/state/community that has this caliber of people in the public and not-for-profit arenas. We are fortunate, indeed, to live in Portland.
By the way, there are two bull elk living on the property and in the surrounding forest right now. I suppose they're the ultimate testament to the value of preserving undeveloped areas. I realize that SW Portland is not the right place for a couple of elk long-term, but we're certainly enjoying them as temporary visitors.
Thanks again to each of you for your help and your time. You have made a difference.
Jane Ullman
*Thank You: D. Bragdon, Liz Callison, J. Desmond, E. Engstrom, Mike Houck, Steve Mullinax, Neighbors, Portland Parks, Gregory Robart, Greg Schifsky, Victor von Salza, Amin Wahib, Lori Warner, Jessica Wilcox
by Victor von Salza
In Early 2006 Victor von Salza (then BNA Parks Chair) visited the Open Space Park and discovered that although it was still filled with many wonderful native plants ivy and blackberries were beginning to take over the trees and ground. Victor contacted the Bridlemile Creek Stewards and suggested that they hold a No Ivy Day Event there as a way to get neighbors in the area interested in preserving and maintaining the Park.
[Inline:4="BNAHOspC4557.jpg" alt="One of many beds of Trillium one can see in Spring. Photo by Victor von Salza"]
One of many beds of Trillium one can see in Spring. Note the ivy (in upper lefto of photo) that is beginning to take over as ground cover. Photo by Victor von Salza, April 2006
On a number of days in March 2006 Victor with help from Greg Schifsky (of the Bridlemile Creek Stewards) went door to door to all the houses on the streets surrounding the Open Space Park collecting names of those interested in getting together at least once a year to help preserve and maintain the Open Space Park. 25 of the 43 homes visited expressed interest and thus the Friends of the Open Space Park was formed. To join the email list to hear about future Friends of the Open Space Park events click here.
On May 6, 2006 the 1st Annual Friends of the Open Space Park No Ivy Day Event was held. That was followed on May 5th, 2007 with The 2nd Annual Friends of the Open Space Park No Ivy Day Event.
A record of the Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL) and Bridlemile neighborhood boundary overlap.
2004
The SWHRL Neighborhood Association filed a grievance with ONI regarding the overlapping boundaries it shares with Bridlemile, Homestead, and Hillsdale neighborhoods. ONI asked the neighborhoods to consider mediation; Bridlemile, Homestead, and Hillsdale agreed to mediate, but SWHRL chose not to mediate and have ONI decide the issue. When ONI decided against SWHRL, SWHRL filed a lawsuit against the City.
March 9th 2005
At theBNA meeting Jimmy Brown of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement gave a good overview of Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL)'s lawsuit with the City regarding its overlapping boundaries and freedom of speech claims regarding mandatory dues. Rich Williams (a neighbor and attorney who lives in the Bridlemile/SWHRL overlap) and a lawyer from Hillsdale suggested that the City should NOT go into arbitration with SWHRL since doing so would exclude Bridlemile, Hillsdale, and Homestead neighbors from participating. A motion was made for the board to take a straw vote regarding whether or not the City should go into arbitration under those terms, and for the BNA board to formally vote again at the April meeting and for the results of that vote to be put before those neighbors attending the April meeting. The straw vote recommending the City to NOT go into arbitration under the terms offered was unanimous. Rich Adelmann moved that Bridlemile establish a legal committee, and a committee consisting of Rich Adelmann, Kathy Bambeck, and Rich Williams was formed.
Since then the City has made an Offer of Judgement to SWHRL, for details please see:
• "City settles suit on overlapping neighborhoods" by Fred Leeson in the Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 Oregonian.
• "SWHRL accepts City's offer of judgment" by Sylvia Bogert on page 2 of the April 2005 SWNI News
• "City offers judgement in lawsuit" by Tracy Stepp on page 1 of the April 2005 Southwest Connection
April 13th 2005
In a letter SWHRL asked Bridlemile to make a proposal regarding the boundary overlap area.
May 11th 2005
At the 2005 BNA meeting, the Legal Committee presented a proposal letter
[Inline:1="Proposal Letter BNASBP.pdf 52 KB / 2 pages"]
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which was approved, and sent to SWHRL the next day.
August 11 2005
Jim Thayer, President of SWHRL, met with Kathy and announced that SWHRL has accepted BNA's proposal to continue with the BNA/SWHRL boundary overlap. SWHRL is in agreement that it is best for the people in the area to choose which NA to join or to join both if wanted. He will draft a resolution to be signed and sent to ONI. This will end BNA's part of the overlap issue. When the other NA's are settled he plans to have an ice cream social with all four of the associations to celebrate.
September 14 2005
Jim Thayer, President of SWHRL, talked at the monthly BNA meeting. They have accepted our offer to continue with the overlap, but that acceptance is open for public comment for 60days before it becomes final. Also at his request, the BNA agreed to allow a six month extension of time to the negotiations until March 2006, for a boundary dispute resolution between SWHRL and the BNA.
October 20 2005
An historic event took place at OHSU's School of Nursing. Kathy Bambeck of the Bridlemile NA and Jim Thayer, President of SWHRL signed a joint resolution
[Inline:1="Joint Resolution BNAFnlRsln.pdf 116 KB / 1 page"]
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agreeing to allow the overlap to remain. Residents in the overlap area can choose to participate in the Bridlemile, SWHRL, or both neighborhood associations. With the boundary resolution now resolved Rich Williams resigned from the committee. Thank you Rich, Kathy, and Rich for the many hours you spent on seeing this resolution to completion.
• "SWHRL wins 10K Judgment from city, grievances continue" by Kendall Beaudry, on page 5 of the May 2005 Multnomah Village Post.
• "SW fights and we all pay the cost" by Renee Mitchell in the Wednesday May 18th, 2005 Oregonian.
• "Residents oust Southwest Hills association president" by Fred Leeson in the Friday May 20th, 2005 Oregonian.
• "Southwest neighborhood vote draws lawsuit, two grievances" by Fred Leeson in the Friday May 27th, 2005 Oregonian.
• "Southwest Hills Residential League votes in new leadership at general meeting" by Sylvia Bogert on page 1 of the June 2005 SWNI News
• "SWHRL boundary settlement leaves number of unanswered questions" by Linda Bonder, on page 3 of the June 2005 Multnomah Village Post.
• "SW Hills board president voted out, files lawsuit" by Tracy Stepp on page 1 of the June 2005 Southwest Connection
• "Sue your neighbor? Means to a bad end" by Renee Mitchell on page B1 of the June 6, 2005 Oregonian
• "Letter by Blythe Olson" the June 6, 2005 at the Oregonian online.
• "Judge rejects suit among neighbors" by Fred Leeson in the July 19, 2005 Oregonian online.
If you have questions or comments regarding the boundary overlap resolution, please contact the BNA SWHRL Boundary Issue Committee by clicking here.