| SUBJECT PROPERTY
In 1903, Thaddeus Stevens Stipp purchased land from the Henry Klise Estate. Stipp constructed the subject Foursquare-Craftsman style dwelling and the Western barn on the property in 1911.
Thaddeus Stevens Stipp, born in 1866, in Oregon, was the son of Hezekiah Stipp, an 1852 pioneer to Oregon. The elder Stipp married Emily Cholson of Salem and raised his family of four sons and one daughter in the Salem area, followed by four years in Dayton, Washington and a few more years in Junction City. After the death of Emily Cholson Stipp in Junction City, Hezekiah Stipp moved to Clackamas County, where he remained until his death in 1906. Thaddeus Stipp is listed in the 1900 Oregon Census with a wife Helen and 5 month old daughter, Gladys. Thaddeus' brother, Livy Stipp, served as district attorney at Oregon City from 1908-1913, followed by eight years in office as State District Attorney. In 1929, he became assistant U.S. District Attorney.
Whereas some houses from this period were embellished with architectural details that reflected a fascination with handcrafted features, others incorporated elements commonly associated with the Colonial Revival style of architecture. The Stipp House exemplifies the latter type. Colonial Revival features include the pedimented gable, boxed eves and frieze, and Doric porch supports and caps. These elements were drawn from classical architecture and work together to form a handsome composition. Changes to the exterior of the house have not been extensive. The original siding is covered by non-historic materials. A few windows have been replaced on the rear and side elevations. Despite these alterations the form, style and character of the building are clearly evident.
The Stipp House is part of a basic-unit farm complex (i.e. barn, house and other domestic buildings). To the west of the house is a Western style barn. This type is identified by its gable roof and tall profile, which usually accommodated a hay loft. The cupola on the roof ridge helps ventilate the barn. A wood shed attached to house also contributes to the historic character of the farm. The large trees, which surrounded the dwelling, were recently cut down (1990). A deteriorated shed, located west of the barn, no longer contributes to the historic character of the property.
The Stipp Farm is significant as an example of an early 20th-century farm complex. The house and barn together represent intact examples of early building types associated with general farming activity in Clackamas County. The complex, which is visually prominent from Molalla Avenue, acts as an important "gateway" to the community.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The earliest settler in the Molalla Valley was William Russell who arrived in the early 1840s. Another early land claimant was William Barlow, who settled a 640 acre donation land claim near Russell. The first wagon train arrived in the valley in 1843. It is this date that is generally given for Molalla's initial founding. Early settlers carried out subsistence farming activities coupled with raising livestock. Wheat, supplemented by hay, was the primary "cash" crop, serving as the medium of exchange until 1849. Production of rails, shakes, and timbers were early cottage industries. Molalla was originally called Four Corners for its alleged location at the intersection of two Native American trails, and because it is centrally located within the Molalla Valley, at what was the intersection of four adjacent donation land claims. The Molalla area remained sparsely settled in the early years. A circa 1850 photograph shows only one house and a few sheds.
In 1853, the Preston Barger family arrived in the area. After fording the Molalla River, they found no stores and only a few settlers. By 1856 the first school was constructed approximately four miles east of Four Corners, and in 1857 Augusta Engle established the first store in the settlement. The earliest known post office, given the name Molalla, was established in 1850, at or near Liberal, four miles north of Four Corners. It was established by Harrison Wright, who settled in the Liberal area in 1844 and operated a ferry across the Molalla River. Wright served as first post master. The post office was discontinued in August 1851. It was re established in 1868, operating until 1874. Its exact location of is unknown. The following year it was moved to the present community of Molalla.
Gold fever struck the Molalla River basin in the late 19th century. Although gold was initially discovered in the area in the 1860s, lack of confidence and capital delayed exploration for a number of years. By the mid 1880s, however, several new discoveries led to the proliferation of claims along the Molalla River. This flurry of mining activity brought increasing numbers of people to Molalla, which was reflected in numerous developments in the early years of the 20th century. In 1900, the Molalla Public Library was founded, reportedly the oldest continuous library in the County (not confirmed at this writing). In 1903, the first phone line was installed at Robbins Store, at the corner of Main and Molalla Avenue. In 1906, the community's first jail was constructed, and in 1911 Frank Perry constructed Molalla's first hotel, along with his livery stable and saloon.
In 1913, the Molalla Pioneer, a weekly newspaper, was started, and it heralded the coming of one of the most momentous events in the community's history: the arrival of the railroad. Equipped with steam trains, the Portland, Eugene and Eastern Railway ran its first train from Canby, on the main line of Southern Pacific, to Molalla. Although Molalla was the shipping center for agricultural and manufacturing products, up to this point all transportation was by wagon. The coming of the railroad provided a significant boost to the town's prominence as a distribution center and allowed for increased volume of goods both to and from the area. With the celebration of the coming of the railroad in 1913, a large rodeo was organized which became an annual event. Called the Molalla Buckeroo, the rodeo continues to draw crowds to the city each year. Molalla was incorporated in 1913 with a population of 240. W.T. Everhart was elected mayor with W. Robbins, W.T. Echerd, I.M. Toliver, A.T. Shoemake, W.M. Mackrell and Fred M. Henriksen as the City's first council people. That same year also brought construction of a new school, housing both primary and secondary pupils. The school opened in 1914. By 1916, the town's population had reached 600. Electrical lights were installed the previous year, and in 1917, the first street in Molalla was paved, followed soon after by paved sidewalks. The first automobiles appeared in Molalla during the teen years, and in 1920, gas was still transported to the area in single railcar loads. Drivers were asked to bring a container to get their supply, or if lacking a container, bring the vehicle.
The timber industry burgeoned during the early decades of the 20th century. The Southern Pacific Railroad reported shipment figures that doubled between 1919 and 1920. One report indicated that if railroad cars were available to transport the amount of timber ready for cutting, business could be tripled. Changes in transportation and industry during the teens and twenties had a tremendous impact on the growth and development of the area. It was during this period that many of the historic buildings included in this Inventory were constructed. In 1921 the population of Molalla was approximately 500. The town boasted its own bank, two churches, a weekly newspaper, two garages, several sawmills and various stores, which offered hardware, imports, drugs, automobiles, notions, paint, furniture, general merchandise, feed, warehousing, meats and lumber to the community. Two physicians and one dentist were in residence. |
