Demolition, History

1890 House Meticulous Deconstructed on NE 78th

Crews working with Meticulous Deconstruction recently completed wood salvage operations on the 1890-era home at 37 NE 78th Avenue. Within the coming weeks, demolition specialists will mechanically remove the remaining masonry and concrete foundation, making way for a new eight-unit townhome development. A series of owners wrapped this original Montavilla home with a century’s worth of remodels and extensions, making it a tricky project for deconstruction manager and company owner Brianna Ivy.

“We kept calling it the onion because of how many layers we kept uncovering, different weird eras of the house. Cool, but not unique necessarily because we’ve come across several of them,” explained Ivy. This crew of deconstruction specialists formed several years ago working for Good Wood‘s salvage team. She worked as the company’s deconstruction manager until the reclaimed lumber business decommissioned that portion of the operation to focus on its core mission. “When they shut down, I got my license and inherited their contracts,” recalled Ivy. The crew began working under the Meticulous Deconstruction title in May 2023. Over the years, the team has encountered a wide range of structures, from layered projects like the home on NE 78th Avenue to all original homes, where nearly every board is knot-free old-growth timber likely harvested within miles of the site.

A 2016 Portland City Ordnance mandates deconstruction for any house or duplex built before 1941. It also extends to some historic resources. Certified Deconstruction Contractors like Meticulous Deconstruction must complete these jobs, and this labor-intensive work can cost $18,000 to $20,000 per house, but it can also cost more for complicated projects. Portland was the first city in the country to implement a policy that ensures crews salvage valuable materials for reuse instead of sending a whole house to the landfill. The city does this because older homes contain unique wood that is no longer available. “Pre-industrial revolution, more or less, the houses were built with trees felled right on the property, milled on the property, and then they just built the house right there,” explained Ivy. Before the Second World War, skilled craftspeople built most houses, and they would only select the best lumber from the plentiful supply in the Pacific Northwest. Homes then had higher 10-foot or 12-foot ceilings, requiring straight, thick, and tall timbers. As the years progressed, lumber became physically smaller and of lower quality. The framing was “literally two by four [inches], and so the house that we’re deconstructing on 78th was old enough to have actual dimensional 2x4s. Some of them are even thicker than two inches, which is beefy. Pretty much every decade, the wood got milled a little bit smaller and then plateaued at today’s standard of 3 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches,” said Ivy.

The 134-year-old home at 37 NE 78th Avenue had more than thick lumber hiding within its walls, complicating the deconstruction. “Instead of using framing for the walls of the house, they use basically 1″ by 12″ flat planks of material that were the full height of the house. I think they would assemble those on the ground with siding on them perpendicular. The 1″ by 12″ material running vertically and then siding horizontally. They build all four walls on the ground, erect them, and connect them to the corners. The only framing is the floor joist and the ceiling. So the walls have no framing,” remarked Ivy. “We had to peel the house away from the outside to expose that original plank-constructed house to salvage it safely.”

Sanborn Map 1909

Brianna Ivy explained that in this type of hand deconstruction, the crew must understand building practices of every age; otherwise, removing side paneling could cause the upper floor to come crashing down because it was hanging from the walls. This home was old enough never to have lath and plaster walls. It went from wood-planked walls to more modern gypsum board, skipping over decades of building trends. The structure also predated the common use of electricity in housing, requiring future owners to install many modern amenities later. The house had several addresses over the years, but in 1909, Sanborn maps referenced the property as 325 East 78th Street. At the time, Daniel N. Hooker and Margaret Hooker lived there with their three daughters. A birthday party for daughter Cora Hooker turned into an “impromptu musical programme,” as recounted in the Sunday Oregonian’s August 11th, 1907, edition. Three years later, Daniel Hooker died in the house at the age of 61. The Hooker family may have been the original owners of the house, based on the timing of the articles and its construction date. However, many other generations of people have lived in the home since.

Sunday Oregonian, August 11, 1907
Morning Oregonian, May 03, 1910

This house’s architectural significance and viability were lost to unconventional remodels and neglect. Saving it was never a practical notion, but thanks to the deconstruction process, the wood that made it a home for many residents will continue on. “We report the wood salvage at the end of the project so the city can keep tabs on the salvage program,” said Ivy. “We salvaged an unbelievable amount of material from this project.” The timbers recovered from the oldest portion of a home rarely end up inside a wall of a newer home. The crew sends newer components from recent remodels to reuse specialty stores like the ReBuilding Center or the Habitat for Humanity ReStore center behind Plaza 205. However, the older wood is valuable to furniture makers and builders who use it for interior finishes. Builders 100 years ago had unlimited access to tight-grained lumber and used it throughout a project. Now, those craftspeople reserve those timbers for display areas in people’s houses.

Brianna Ivy enjoys this work, its environmentally supportive nature, and the community that has grown around her woman-owned business. Through word of mouth, Meticulous Deconstruction’s staff has grown to include mostly non-binary identifying employees. “We are a non-dude crew,” remarked Ivy. “We’ve become a safe haven for people who are not normally treated well in the construction industry.”

Although Portland requires deconstruction for pre-war residential buildings, Meticulous Deconstruction will work on other projects of any age or size. People often hire them to deconstruct detached buildings where the owners do not want heavy equipment disturbing their yards. One client had the crew deconstruct a garage without disturbing a bird’s nest in the tree leaning against the structure. Admittedly, deconstruction costs more than bulldozing, but it can save trees from being cut down for new lumber and provides long-lost wood to craftspeople. Expect to see the remaining foundation and basement at 37 NE 78th Avenue removed in the next two weeks as heavy equipment levels the ground for the new townhomes coming next year.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account for monthly support or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Event

Montavilla Heritage Tree Tour Nov 23rd

On November 23rd, Sam Wolf, the Portland Heritage Tree Program Manager with Portland Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry division, will host a free Heritage Tree tour in the Montavilla Neighborhood. The Saturday event will begin in the Berrydale Parking Area on SE 89th Avenue, and participants will travel several blocks to visit four Heritage Trees, with one tree nominated for consideration. Five passengers can ride in a provided van to each site, but event organizers encourage participants to drive, carpool, or bike between locations if possible.

The City Council formally recognizes Heritage Trees for their unique size, age, historical, or horticultural significance. Once designated, these trees receive a small plaque and are listed in the Heritage Tree database. The tour will cover important aspects of the Heritage Trees in Montavilla, including locating future Heritage Trees and nominating them.

Google Map with Heritage Tree Program notations

The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 23rd. Participants must register to attend and should plan to dress for potentially rainy and cold weather. Participants can preview the route or tour the trees independently using the linked map. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of Heritage Trees in East Portland and help bolster urban forestry through canopy preservation.

By

Jacob Loeb

Update: A previous version of this article had extraneous information included at the end of the article. Montavilla News regrets this publishing error.

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account for monthly support or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Government

MNA Election and Bylaws Update

On November 12th, the Montavilla Neighborhood Association (MNA) held its annual election, adding two new board members and reelecting Louise Hoff for another two-year term. The membership also voted to update language in the group’s bylaws to remove membership term limits and mail notification requirements for shorter annual meeting notices, along with other minor updates. Due to an access issue, the in-person meeting was relocated from its planned location to Montavilla Brew Works at 7805 SE Stark Street.

New board members Steph Cleary and Colleen Howard received unanimous approval from 21 ballots, as did the write-in incumbent Louise Hoff. Cleary is a freelance writer and is a former high school English teacher. She will take on the Secretary board position, freeing former Secretary Spencer Knowles to take the newly renamed leadership position of board President. Howard has lived in Montavilla for 40 years and is a retired nurse. She wants to use her sense of strong community involvement to keep Montavilla a “great place for everyone.” Hoff, a former board chair, will continue to lead the Parks committee for the neighborhood. Sarah Hartzel will continue in the Treasurer position, and Laura Mulligan will remain in the second leadership position with its new designation as board Vice President. Hartzel will continue to serve as the Neighborhood Coalition Delegate until another board member takes on that role and the SE Uplift board accepts their nomination from the MNA.

Neighborhood Coalition Executive Director for SE Uplift, Nanci Champlin, oversaw the election and provided the posted notice of the venue change at the Montavilla United Methodist Church. Montavilla Brew Works opened its covered outdoor seating for the MNA members and turned on their heater, quickly warming the space during the rainy night. A few members purchased pints to support the business offering last-minute meeting accommodations.

Prior to the elections, Spencer Knowles presented the proposed bylaws updates. The bylaws remained unchanged since its last review in 2015, and community concern over membership eligibility requirements expressed during the 2023 board elections prompted a reevaluation. All but two members voting by raised hands approved the bylaws edits. In the changes, the MNA determines eligibility by an adult person’s primary residence, rented or owned, existing in the Montavilla boundary. Owners of property or a business are allowed membership. Alternatively, one representative from a business or organization within the neighborhood can join on that group’s behalf. The updates also removed the three-year term limit on membership, allowing people to retain members until they are no longer eligible. Neighborhood youths 14 to 17 can become members with parental permission, and anyone can still request membership exceptions from the board to join.

The bylaws no longer require an Election Committee to manage elections, shifting that responsibility to the board. Updates to the board officers listed in the bylaws now use the term “President” instead of “Chair” and added Neighborhood Coalition Delegate to the list of officers. In other new language, the bylaws retain the required seven-day member notices of an upcoming Annual Meeting but no longer need that notice to happen by Postal mail if not presented within 30 to 60 days by communication in another form. People can review all updates that include minor word changes in the proposed bylaws document.

Although the annual election is the most efficient way for people to join the MNA board, processes allow mid-term board appointments. People wanting to serve should contact the MNA to learn more. Perpetual free general membership is now as simple as attending a meeting and affirming that you meet the requirements and want to join. The MNA recommends people subscribe to the non-profit’s email newsletter to stay up to date. More information is available at montavilla.org.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: the author of this article served as MNA Board Chair until 2023

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New Residence, Property Sale

NE 91st Ave Townhomes on the Hill

This Fall, Trinity Construction & Design completed work on a five-unit townhouse development at 716 NE 91st Avenue. Each home offers three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one main-floor powder room. The property owners have these nearly 1,100-square-foot two-story homes listed as condos on individual lots. However, an additional listing offers all five homes as a single purchase for a buyer looking for a unique rental complex.

In March, J&I Properties, a Limited Liability Company, took ownership of the property from the project’s developer, Provision Investments. Ivan Didyk’s company, Trinity Construction & Design, began building the townhouses based on the pre-approved plans that Provision had sold to Didyk. “[Provision] buys the land, they do the planning, and they get you up through permits. Then I bought the project from them, permit ready,” explained Didyk. His company recently worked with Provision in a similar deal on NE Hoyt Street. Didyk built two apartment buildings east of these new townhouses last year and retained ownership of one at 9050 NE Hoyt Street.

Ivan Didyk has worked in the construction industry for 13 years, starting Trinity Construction & Design three years ago during the pandemic. He explained that he brings his own experience as a parent into his projects, creating a space suitable for adult tastes but room for multi-member families. “Whatever I build, I would be happy to live in,” said Didyk. Crews finished the homes with high-quality features that respect the durability requirements of young children and pets. Crews installed luxury vinyl planks throughout the house, providing the look of hardwood but with the strength to resist dents and scratches. The second level full-sized stacked laundry closet also reflects the family-oriented design consideration. Didyk explained that some other builders only build space for smaller two-foot-wide washing units. “We build for full size because if you have a family with kids, you do a lot of laundry. The little tiny two-foot washers and dryers are brutal for families.”

Didyk clarified that family-designed housing does not equate to bland or cheap finishes. He installed full-height tile backsplash in the kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom-fitted cabinetry. An island with eating bar seating provides separation from the entryway and kitchen with needed counter real estate and an activated spot at the front of the house. Wider trim throughout the homes, coupled with tall ceilings, set a scale for the interior that expands its perceived space. Modern steel railings provide stable support and keep the stairway visually open across the levels. Bathrooms feature custom vanities, while a ducted mini-split system offers heating and cooling that’s hidden away from sight. The floor plans for these homes utilize creative space-saving techniques to make the most of limited space.

Based on his previous successes building in the area, Didyk decided to step up his finishes to meet the future prosperity he sees coming to the community. “I put my heart and soul into this one. I made it nicer than I normally do, just to stand out,” remarked Didyk. “I think in 20 years, the Montavilla neighborhood is going to be one of the best neighborhoods in Portland.”

The significant change in elevation across the property called for several design choices that add character to the homes. “Sloped lots require a little more in engineering and design. It’s more expensive to build because you either have to dig into the ground or build above ground,” explained Didyk. He said that sellers often factor engineering costs into the purchase price of sloped lots. Additionally, Didyk enjoys the creative architecture that comes from building with the unique grading of a lot. For instance, in this project, building up from the low point on the northwest corner of the property allowed the front three units to gain roughed-in storage space below the homes. The back patio would often consist of a concrete pad in a small fenced enclosure with other townhomes, but each unit in the NE 91st Avenue townhouses has protruding decks. The front retaining walls create a tiered separation from the street without needing a fence, and the tall foundation provides the homes with a clear northward view over the neighbor’s roof.

Other design elements were unrelated to the topography. These homes have similar floor plans, but they vary in width. This gives some units a few more feet of floor area and alternates the shape of the building, making an obvious separation between each unit. The front and back units have more windows and the froward most home has a covered porch. The rear unit has a small private yard with a bonus concrete pad for an outdoor grill or bike storage.

As with many new housing projects, future residents will want to rely on street parking or transit options. Didyk explained that home buyers looking in this area are not overly car-dependent. “A lot of people in Portland use public transportation, and I think Portland probably has one of the best public transportation systems on the West Coast. People in this neighborhood will like the public transportation options with the MAX line so close. There is [also] quite a bit of street parking. I’ve never had issues parking on this street,” said Didyk. A single bike rack at the front of the building will let visitors secure their bikes, and Trinity Construction & Design will provide interior storage options if requested. “We have bike racks, so if somebody buys a unit and they want [an indoor] bike rack installed, we’ll do it for free,” explained Didyk.

Ivan Didyk is pleased with how these townhomes turned out and looks forward to seeing people’s lives enhanced by moving in. “I’m a big believer in making Portland a better place, a lot of people are complaining that Portland is getting worse. Instead of complaining, my goal is to find neighborhoods that are up and coming, investing my money and my time into them as a place for families. A place for people to live and raise their kids,” said Didyk. That is one main reason he wanted to create three-bedroom units. Admittedly, the rooms are smaller to fit the footprint available. However, he felt it is critical that people with children can find quality homes that are still affordable at the median income range. The units are available now. Buyers will pay a small sub $100 HOA fee in addition to their mortgage. People interested in seeing the homes can contact Darryl Bodle of Keller Williams Realty at 503-709-4632.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Correction: Updated the address to the preferred address of 716 NE 91st Avenue from 760 NE 91st Avenue.

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Community, Services

Unified Library Schedule

On December 1st, all Multnomah County library locations will adopt a unified schedule to offer consistent services for patrons and streamline employee scheduling. All branches and the library’s contact center will serve the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The primary schedule shifts two hours later on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from noon to 8 p.m. On Sundays, the locations operate from noon to 6 p.m.

This update is the first large-scale adjustment to the Multnomah County Library system’s operating hours since 2013. Most locations will continue to provide a comparable quantity of operating hours, just with a modification to open and close times. However, the Contact Center staff that assist users by phone, email, or chat will start later to match library hours.

These updates are not part of any budget reduction efforts, and library management does not anticipate any associated changes to employee hours or pay. For many patrons, this will simplify their library system use, focusing on geographic access instead of traveling to alternate locations because a closer branch is closed. Library visitors will first see updated signs and public information reflecting the changed schedules on Sunday, December 1st, 2024.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account for monthly support or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Crime

New Tow Policy Tackles Abandoned Autos

Starting on November 12th, the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) parking enforcement staff can order an automatic tow of any automobile with an obscured vehicle identification number (VIN) that is also missing both license plates. Last August, Portland City Council approved code updates that expanded tow authority to a larger group of city staff and added section “F” to City Code 16.30.220, making missing vehicle identification a tow without prior notice offense. Officials made this change, in part, to empower parking enforcement officers to quickly clear abandoned vehicles in violation of city code from the public right-of-way.

Oregon requires all registered vehicles to display a front and back license plate, with some exceptions that include mopeds and motorcycles that only need a rear plate. Additionally, cars and trucks need to display the VIN in a visible place, which manufacturers typically place on the driver’s side of the dashboard, where it meets the windshield, and people outside can easily read it through the glass. Removing license plates and blocking or removing the VIN could indicate that someone stole or intentionally abandoned a vehicle and is trying to hide its ownership. Requiring prior notice of a pending tow would give someone time to move it, avoiding citations or recovering a stolen vehicle. This recent City Code change, with the 22 new parking enforcement officers recently added to PBOT’s Parking Enforcement team, should increase the number of abandoned vehicles removed from city streets. Vehicles parked on private property are exempt from this enforcement.

People can report illegally parked vehicles in the public right-of-way by calling the Parking Enforcement Division at 503-823-5195. They are open weekdays from 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., and Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. For off-hours reporting, PBOT recommends contacting Portland Police via the non-emergency number 503-823-3333. Anyone looking to recover their towed vehicle can contact Portland Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044 to locate it and learn how to get it back. The city offers a Towing Frequently Asked Questions page with information about the recovery process.

The increased speed in towing will likely clear more city-code-violating vehicles from the street, which could cause increased financial burdens on some vehicle owners. Consequentially, PBOT manages a towing hardship fund for victims of auto theft and people living on a low income. They can receive up to $300 towards retrieval of their towed and impounded vehicle. This faster tow policy is just one step towards removing out-of-compliance cars from the streets. Still, it has the potential to streamline the process for city employees and provide faster results for those reporting the vehicles.

Article and Photo by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Infrastructure

Groundwater Blended into Bull Run Supply

Update: On November 6th, the Portland Water Bureau returned to providing 100% Bull Run sourced water to Portlanders. It can take up to two weeks before the blended water works its way through the systems after a transition, depending on location.

Article originally published on October 9th, 2024

On Thursday, October 10th, Portland Water Bureau will add groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field to the city’s Bull Run-sourced drinking water. Officials are making this change primarily due to prolonged dry conditions, warm temperatures, and limited precipitation in weather forecasts. This blending comes two months after a summertime test of well-field equipment.

In past years, around this time, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending its two water sources to ensure adequate supplies until rainwater replenishes the watershed. In some years, this occurs sooner as dry springs and early summer weather can reduce Bull Run’s supply. The October 2023 to April 2024 water year had near-average rainfall and a suitable mountain snowpack that has kept Portland’s watershed supplied for a significant portion of the dry season. However, warmer weather patterns and increased water usage have made well-water sources necessary for the regional water supply. The Water Bureau recently tested its groundwater system for 20 days to ensure pumps, treatment equipment, electronic controls, and other parts were ready for activation.

Columbia South Shore Well Field. Courtesy Portland Water Bureau

Columbia South Shore Well Fields tap into deep aquifers filled with rainwater throughout the year. The Bureau assures residents that Portland’s groundwater supply meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. However, the Bureau’s policy is to notify the public when activating groundwater sources so sensitive water users can take precautions. It can take up to two weeks before residents receive blended water. After operators revert to entirely Bull Run-sourced water, customers can expect it to take another two weeks for the lines to clear of groundwater.

Sensitive water users can sign up at the Portland Water Bureau’s website to receive notifications regarding changes to the water system. Customers with questions should call the Water Line at 503-823-7525 and watch for updates to this article when Portland’s water system returns to 100 percent Bull Run watershed-sourced water.

by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

History

Montavilla’s Wild West Past

Q – Was Montavilla ever “a wild west” town?

A – On the eve of Montavilla’s 100-year-anniversary celebration in 1989, Marguerite O’Donnell-Barnes told Oregonian reporter Suzanne Richards that her grandfather said, “No God-fearing man would go to Montavilla on a Saturday night.” It’s true that in Montavilla’s early days, the 1890s and the early 20th century, it may have looked like something from a Wild West movie. It still had dirt roads, plank sidewalks, saloons (until Montavilla finally went dry in 1905), blacksmith shops, and horse-drawn vehicles. But was it as rowdy as the O’Donnell-Barnes statement implies? 

In the early days, Montavillans worked to meet the community’s basic needs, such as a school, community meeting spaces, churches, a steady water supply, and better streetcar service. They also advocated for road and sidewalk upgrades. By 1901, they also sought help maintaining law and order. So, that year, the Montavilla Sub-Board of Trade campaigned for a Justice of the Peace and a Constable. 

What kinds of crimes might have been on their minds? We can get some answers from Portland newspapers since they reported on neighborhood crimes. The Oregonian of August 13, 1896, for example, reported that in Montavilla burglaries were so frequent that residents had to sleep “with one eye open, and a shotgun within easy reach.” The thieves came at night with buggies for the loot. William DeVeny (1852-1918), Montavilla’s Buffalo-Bill-look-alike, was determined to stop the thievery. Although he was just a foot doctor by trade, he billed himself as a law-and-order man. (In his 1915 autobiography, he would describe his earlier peace-keeping efforts in the Midwest.) So, one night, he stood watch and caught a pair of thieves in the act. He let them go with an order to leave Montavilla at once and never come back.

Illustration of William DeVeny (the man with the long hair) apprehending a criminal in Cincinnati, Kansas in 1887 from DeVeny’s autobiography, “The Establishment of Law and Order on the Western Plains.”

Besides thefts, Montavilla also had a counterfeiter. In 1900, fake coins—more valuable back then, of course—were circulating in Montavilla. The Oregonian of April 30, 1901, reported that Secret Service officers had found dies for making fake half-dollars, quarters, and nickels under a loose board in a building on Base Line Road (now Stark Street). The current occupant, H. W. Lang, publisher of the Villa Observer newspaper, said he knew nothing about the equipment, and the Oregonian did not mention an arrest. 

Thefts continued to be reported in the Portland press in 1905 and 1906: J. J. Herman’s stump-removal machine, L. Scott’s Jersey cow, and several house burglaries. Still, Montavilla did not have its own police officer until about 1909, when William W. Post (1867-1948) was appointed. Police Captain Joseph F. Keller (1880-1945) considered the Montavilla beat a dull one, but on June 30, 1912, Officer Post noticed three men holding up automobile passengers at gunpoint and had already shot a woman passenger. Post apprehended one of the three thieves, Don Brundridge, at gunpoint, but the two others fled. They were tracked to downtown Portland and later arrested. Captain Keller recommended that Patrolman Post receive an award for bravery. I found no report on whether he actually received it, but he did get his photo in the Oregonian.

Patrol Officer W. W. Post is recommended for a medal. Source: The Oregonian, July 3, 1912

Of course, having a police officer on duty did not end criminal activity in Montavilla. Portland newspapers continued to report crimes there. Dickson Drug Store, for example, endured periodic merchandise thefts: cameras worth $200 in 1914, 600 cigars in 1918, and copious quantities of tobacco and cigars in 1921. Even the Montavilla School was targeted by thieves who ransacked the building and stole about $10 in change.

Sometimes, criminal activities were thwarted by police or citizens. On April 30, 1917, for example, robbers broke into the West Oregon Lumber Company on Stark Street. When trying to break into a safe, the thieves’ nitroglycerine failed, so they could not open the safe door. When Patrolman Post heard the explosion, he hurried to the scene, but by this time, the burglars had fled.

Another robbery failed again on September 3, 1919. Two armed men entered the Montavilla Savings Bank at the corner of Stark and 80th and demanded cash. The teller and cashier refused. When the bank’s bookkeeper threatened them with a gun, the robbers fled in their getaway car.

Besides thefts, speeding automobiles also aroused Montavilla’s ire as they gradually replaced horses in the early 20th century. In October 1902, for example, a car was clocked at an amazing 40 miles an hour. After speed limits were passed, police officers were sometimes assigned to arrest violators speeding on Base Line Road.

The three Montavilla Savings Bank employees who foiled an attempted robbery. Photo source: The Oregonian, Sept. 4, 1919
Montavilla Savings Bank (now the Ya Hala restaurant). Photo courtesy of the Architectural Heritage Center

Any crime is deplorable, of course, but when Montavilla was just three years old, the community was truly shocked by a murder that took place on a Montavilla street. The victim was the beautiful 18-year-old Birdie Morton, who was shot by her former sweetheart, Martin Burdette Wolfe (often misspelled “Wolf”). The murder set off a manhunt that lasted for nearly 20 years. The deed and the efforts to find Wolfe and bring him to justice were reported in detail in Portland and other Oregon newspapers. 
The deed took place on October 13, 1892. Birdie and her younger sister had just left their family’s home and were walking to a prayer meeting. Burdette, as he was usually called in the press, had learned that Birdie was going out with other men. He approached Birdie and demanded that she walk with him. When she refused, he grabbed her arm, but she pulled back. Enraged, he pulled a revolver from his pocket and shot her in the chest. 

“In Arms Against Autos” proclaimed this headline in the October 6, 1902 The Oregonian.

Seeing what was happening, Birdie’s sister ran back home to get her father. By the time he got to Birdie, she had been shot and was lying on the street. He carried Birdie home and called a doctor. The bullet had just missed Birdie’s heart, and at first, there was hope she might live. Believing this, the Morton family did not intend to press charges. The two families were friends and had approved of the former Birdie-Burdette relationship. On October 21, however, Birdie died of sepsis. Family and friends mourned her death, and she was buried in Montavilla’s Brainard Cemetery. 

The Morton and Wolfe families must have been shocked by the deadly deed. So was attorney Clarence S. Hannum, who until recently had been training Wolfe to be a lawyer. When interviewed by an Oregonian reporter, Hannum described Wolfe as industrious and reliable “with no bad habits of any sort.” At the beginning of 1892, Wolfe was a young man with promise. By October, he was wanted for murder and reportedly on the run.

Portrait of Burdette Wolfe (here spelled Wolf). Source: Oregonian, October 19, 1892

The search for Wolfe lasted nearly 20 years and was tracked in the press. Rewards offered for his capture prompted the continued search. Early on, he was reportedly sighted in the Blue Mountains, then in Klamath County. In March 1893, a search party tracked him near Coos Bay. In 1896, he was reportedly killed by a posse. Then, in 1897, he was spotted alive in Arizona. In 1901, he was supposedly in Peru. The last reported sighting was in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. This report was page-one news in the Oregon Journal of February 25, 1911. The informant was an unnamed man who said he had worked with Wolfe in Brazil and then traveled with him to Calcutta. Portland authorities believed they would be able to extradite Wolfe. I found no articles showing they succeeded. Finally, the search was at an end. 

So, was Montavilla a wild-west town? I guess that depends on your definition.

By

Patricia Sanders

Title Illustration from W. C. Tuttle’s “The Loot of the Lazy A” in Short Stories Magazine, 1926. Source: Wikimedia

This is an installment of Montavilla History Questions Answered. If you have questions about Montavilla’s past that you’d like answered, local historian Patricia Sanders will investigate your question. Please email your questions to history@montavilla.net and we may feature it alongside Patricia Sanders’ research in a future post.

Community, Food and Drink

Roger’s Cafe at Multnomah Campus

With recent updates at the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University, Montavilla residents now have access to a hidden coffee shop within the school’s grounds at 8435 NE Glisan Street. Roger’s Cafe opened in July 2010 after the faith-based school renovated its student cafe to provide an on-campus Portland coffee house experience. Named for Roger Porret, a longtime food service volunteer who passed away at the beginning of 2024, the shop serves as a social gathering point for the university’s community and now area residents.

Visitors can find the cafe on the west end of the JCA Student Center building, adjacent to the Student Lounge. Earlier this year, the campus food service provider Pioneer College Caterers began running Roger’s. Students can use flex credits included with their meal plan to purchase drinks or food, but anyone can pay cash or use a standard credit card to buy menu items. In addition to a wide range of caffeinated beverages, staff can prepare hot breakfast and lunch items at a reasonable price.

  • Portland Maps image with MV News illustrations
  • JCA Student Center

Roger’s Cafe offers guests several sections to enjoy their meal with counters, bar-hight tables, and group seating. A couch-adorned room next to the barista station offers living room-style seating with some separation from the main shop area. The cafe’s adjacent stage provides a venue for artists and performers to host poetry slams, speeches, and music shows. However, most days, the sound of conversations fills the air as students and guests talk about the topics of the day at this central meeting point.

The cafe’s namesake volunteered at the university for decades, earning the respect and adoration of students and staff. The coffee shop took his name in 2010, and he continued to work at Multnomah University until his retirement in October 2018. During its years of operation, Roger’s Cafe employed many students. Past versions of the cafe’s social media include views of the community that formed around this shop, including a goodbye video for longtime manager Jose David Lopez, who left in October 2023. This fall, university leadership unified the management of Roger’s and the student Dining hall under Pioneer College Caterers.

Roger Porret

Lisa Newbore with the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University hopes that more residents will see Roger’s Cafe as a community resource and encourages people to “drink, snack and hang out.” For many neighborhood residents, this is the most convenient coffee shop east of 82nd Avenue and north of SE Stark Street. Residents have walked around the university’s property for many years without venturing inside. Now, the administration invites people to sample the food and drinks available at Roger’s Cafe while meeting the students and faculty of this educational institution. Roger’s is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they serve breakfast from 10:30 a.m. to noon on weekends.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, New Residence

Work Begins on Seven NE Glisan Townhomes

This November, crews will lay the foundation and begin framing a seven-unit townhouse project at NE Glisan Street and 72nd Avenue. This three-story building replaces a single-family home at 7132 NE Glisan Street, which workers demolished in the summer of 2022. Crews broke ground nearly a year after DEZ Development started the permitting process on this middle housing development, with construction expected to extend well into 2025.

Rendered view of the seven townhomes seen from NE 72nd Avenue. Courtesy DEZ Development

In late October, heavy equipment cleared and leveled the 4,097 square-foot parcel. The property’s Commercial Mixed Use 2 zoning allows structures up to four stories tall, similar to the affordable housing project under construction three blocks east of this site. This new housing project is in line with zoning goals for this area with minimum density requirements of one unit per 1,450 square feet of site area. That places it slightly above the minimum for NE Glisan’s prescribed density while still being built as a step up from the primarily two-story scale of surrounding buildings. Two units will face NE Glisan Street, with the remaining five having addresses on NE 72nd Avenue.

Each home will provide between 1,000 and 1,300 square feet of living space, split between three levels. Residents with vehicles will need to park in curbside spaces on NE 72nd Avenue or NE Glisan Street. The building is near the 60th Avenue MAX light-rail stop and on the TriMet 19 bus line. Bike commuters living here will have easy access to an established Portland Greenway that runs east-west on NE Davis Street. Housing density along commercial corridors like NE Glisan can create a symbiotic relationship between residents and businesses located within walking distance of the residences. This location is within blocks of the Fred Meyer grocery store at 6615 NE Glisan Street and has several dining options at restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within eyesight of the townhomes. When residents look for more resources close to homes near commercially zoned areas, more businesses tend to open to meet increased demand. Walking-oriented housing on NE Glisan may become the catalyst for reviving the once-thriving area first established when the streetcar tracks ran down its center.

Construction at this site will continue over the next several months, with completion expected in 2025.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.