Oregon Historic Sites Database

Search Menu

Site Information small logo

Oregon Historic Sites Database

address:16022 SE River Rd historic name:Starkweather, Harvey G, House
Oak Grove, Clackamas County (97267) current/other names:Starkweather, Harvey G & Alice Risley, House
assoc addresses:
block/lot/tax lot:N/A / N/A / 05300
location descr:Milwaukie twnshp/rng/sect/qtr sect:2S 1E 11 DA
resource type:Building height (stories):2.5 total elig resources: total inelig resources:
elig evaluation: eligible/significant NR Status:
prim constr date:c.1909 second date: date indiv listed:
primary orig use: Single Dwelling orig use comments:
second orig use:
primary style: Colonial Revival prim style comments:
secondary style: sec style comments:
primary siding: Horizontal Board siding comments:Tongue-and-groove with corner and rake boards
secondary siding:
plan type: Crosswing architect:
builder:
comments/notes:
Survey/Grouping Included In: Type of Grouping Date Listed Date Compiled
   Clackamas County Historic Landmarks Survey & Inventory Project 2008
   Clackamas County Trolley Line ILS 2008 Survey & Inventory Project 2008
NR date listed: N/A
ILS survey date: 09/30/2007
RLS survey date: 06/01/1986
106 Project(s): None
Special Assess Project(s): None
Federal Tax Project(s): None
(Includes expanded description of the building/property, setting, significant landscape features, outbuildings and alterations)
ROOF FORM & MATERIALS: Intersecting gable with partial return PRIMARY WINDOW TYPE: Double-hung with architrave molding DECORATIVE FEATURES: Paneled and glazed door with sidelights and transom. Chimney. OTHER: Doric columns on paneled bases support hip roof porches. Stone balustrades. ALTERATIONS: Porch enclosed n.d. On nob of hill on heavily wooded lot. In neighborhood of post World War II ear residential buildings. Above River Road which is moderately heavy traffic.
(Chronological, descriptive history of the property from its construction through at least the historic period - preferably to the present)
SUBJECT PROPERTY The Harvey G. and Alice Risley Starkweather House is an excellent example of Colonial Revival architecture. Situated atop a nob above Rive Road, the 1 ½ story house has many features which contribute to the grand composition. These features include hipped porches with Doric supports on paneled bases, stone balustrades, paneled and glazed doors with sidelights and transom. Alice Starkweather (c 1865 – 1920) was the daughter of pioneer Jacob Risley, on whose donation land claim the house is built. Her husband Harvey Gordon Starkweather (1868 – 1851) was a teacher, politician, farmer and real estate professional. Harvey G.’s father, Harvey A. Starkweather, was a pioneer of 1850 who was attracted to the West Coast by “gold fever”. After several months of unsuccessful panning, the senior Starkweather ventured to Oregon. Here, he married Eliza Gordon, pioneer of 1846 and sister of Hugh Gordon who designed the state seal and was the state’s first printer. H.A. Starkweather was representative to the territorial legislature and member of the Constitutional Convention. He was reelected in 1860, 1866, 1870, and 1876. In 1880 he was elected State Senator. In 1860 and 1865 he was the register of U.S. Land Office at Oregon City. After his death, Eliza supervised the operation of the largest poultry farm in the state. Their home was located near the present-day McLoughlin Boulevard. It was demolished prior to the 1983-1986 Clackamas County Historic Resources Inventory. Harvey Gordon Starkweather began his professional career as a teacher. He was made Clackamas County superintendent of Schools, LaGrande Superintendent, and regent of the state normal schools. In 1901 he became a farmer. Starkweather was a member of several fraternal organizations including the State Grange, the Chamber of Commerce, and the City Club. Between 1916 and 1920 he ran for U.S. Senator, but was defeated. Woodrow Wilson appointed Starkweather to tour Europe “to study rural credits and country life conditions.” The commission’s report was the basis fo the Federal Farm Loan program. Starkweather was an advocate for better roads. The Super Highway – McLoughlin Boulevard – was built partially as result of his efforts. In 1940 he married Justice-of-the Peace, Edna Marie Thiessen.
Title Records Census Records Property Tax Records Local Histories
Sanborn Maps Biographical Sources SHPO Files Interviews
Obituaries Newspapers State Archives Historic Photographs
City Directories Building Permits State Library
Local Library: University Library:
Historical Society:Oregon Historical Society Other Respository:
Bibliography:
Clackamas County Tax Assessor records, Oregon City, OR. TICOR Title Company, Oregon City, OR. Clackamas County Rural Directory 1907. Oregon City and Clackamas County Directory, 1916. Oregon Historical Society Scrap Book no. 69, p. 24. Federal Census 1870, 1880, 1900. Oregonian, “Democrat in Contest”, 25 October 1917, p. 18. "Oregonian", 21 January 1918, p. 7. "Telegram", 23 September 1920, p. 1. Oregonian, 24 September 1920, p. 8. "Telegram", 13 April 1920, p. 1. "Oregonian", “Starkweather in Senate Race,” 14 April 1920, p. 1. "Telegram", 6 April 1922, p. 4. "Oregon Journal", 7 April 1922, p. 2 "Oregon Journal", 29 April 1928, Section 1, p. 10. "Oregon Journal", “Starkweather Nominated for Congressional Post”, 9 September 1928, p. 2. "Telegram", 24 October 1928, p. 16. "Telegram", 20 June 1929, p. 20. "Oregonian", 20 June 1931, p. 7. "Oregonian", “Starkweather in Race,” 22 February 1932, p. 4. "Oregon Journal", “His Platform,” 18 March 1932, p. 18. "Oregon Journal", 13 June 1932, p. 6. "Oregon Journal", 3 November 1932, p. 8. "Oregonian", 13 November 1951, p. 15 "Oregon Journal", 13 November 1951, p. 21. "Oregonian", 15 November 1951, p. 17.