214-214 1/2 Washington Street

MAY S. MILLS HOUSE -- Statement of Significance: In 1907, this property was purchased by May S. Mills, although it is unclear whether she ever occupied the house. In 1911, the property was sold to William Smith, a blacksmith, and his wife Minnie, who in turn, deeded to J.E. Callavan in 1917. Four years later, he sold the house to Della L. Beattie, a widow. She owned the property for over twenty years before selling in 1948 to A. and Jessie Simonson. In 1951, the property was purchased by Joe C. Boyd, who worked at Crown Zellerbach, and his wife Emma. The following year, the couple sold to Irvin and Ellen White, who sold two years later to Ida Hunter. As with many of the owners before her, Hunter used this property as a rental. It is during her ownership that the house was likely converted into a duplex. Tenants included Charles and Rose Dorr, Helen Maserek, Mary Griffith, and Hazel Leis.

This 1-1/2 story house sits under a side gable roof with a large gabled dormer on the west side. A recessed porch runs the full width of this façade, where the eave is supported by square columns. A plain balustrade encircles the porch, which also features a blank frieze. The gables feature enclosed eaves with wide frieze and rake boards, and the main gable also features gable end returns. The house is entirely clad with drop siding, finished with corner boards. The windows are predominantly double-hung wood sash, with a mixture of 1/1 windows and double-hung windows with diamond paned upper sashes. Small wood casement windows are also present in some locations on the north and south sides of the house. The windows typically feature wide board trim with small apron molding and minimal hood moldings. On the south side, a rectangular bay is cantilevered out from the house at the first-floor level, covered by a shed roof. The east side of the house was once an open porch but was enclosed by the addition of wood sashes. A small, side gable apartment sits on the southeast corner of the lot and serves as a rental unit.

This property is a locally designated historic site located within the McLoughlin Conservation District. Contact ocplanning@orcity.org for more information.