The New Municipal Elevator
A special election in May, 1952 authorized bonds for $175,000 to build a new elevator. Bids were received in November 1953; however, the low bid was over $200,000 so all bids were rejected.
In January, 1954, the firm of Stevens and Thompson submitted a new design proposal that could be built within the bond amount. The new design produced a low bid of $116,000 and a contract was awarded to James and Yost, Inc.
The new elevator was dedicated on May 5, 1955, and the City Commission accepted it on July 13, 1955.
The existing elevator took over 751 tons of concrete and steel to construct, is 130 feet high, and passengers can zip to the top in 15 seconds. Additionally, passengers now walk through a 35 foot long tunnel under the railroad tracks rather than over the tracks.
The Oregon City Municipal Elevator continues to operate as one of only four municipal elevators in the world and "Elevator Street" remains the only "vertical street" in North America.
posted by Michael Asbill at
8:46 AM
1 Comments:
My name is Joel Paulsen. I am a third generation mechanic, third generation business owner, second generation elevator mechanic.
My father John Paulsen Left Otis Elevator after many years to start his own Elevator company. Premier Elevator, wich later became A-Lift Elevator co. to be first in the phone book.
I can remember my dad working on the Oregon City Elevator at the very young age of seven. I sat in the car while my dad went inside to fix it.
When we started earning an allowance it was from sorting elevator parts.
Later at the age of fourteen, my brother and I were schooled by our dad. He started, by throwing change in the elevator pits when we weren't looking. We would sweep the pits and find the money he had sugured there for us. Later as we grew up, we found less and less change.
By the time my brother and I graduated High school. We could weld and fabricate just about anything. Our father tought us everything about elevators.
When I finally left home at 17 I did not want to be an elevator man. I moved away for a while, and time passed. At 25 I came back to the area and got into the trade as an apprentice.
Things came naturally to me and I was told by my supervisor at otis Elevator that I was doing the work of a mechanic with many years of experience. I was made a temporary journeyman after just two and a half years.
I went from the construction department to modernization, to repair, and finally earned a service route. It was the second largest route Otis had at the time. I was in charge of over 160 elevators.
After many years at Otis, I was lured away by a small independant elevator company. I left for a small increase in pay and a company rig. I worked for them as their resident Otis expert for two years.
By then my dad was retired and 70 years old. My brother Matt had been running the company since 1995 and burnt out on running the family business.
Life seems to go in a complete circle. I feel right at home now. Working on the elevators that my dad used to. I always think of him when I find change, sweeping up the elevator pit.
Joel Paulsen
March 27, 2008
A-Lift Elevator Inc.
Family Owned since 1977
Modernization, Service, and Repair.
All Makes and Models
(503) 238-1902
joel@a-liftelevator.com
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