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Oregon Historic Sites Database

address:145 NE 2nd Ave historic name:Washington County Courthouse
Hillsboro, Washington County current/other names:
assoc addresses:150 Lincoln
block/lot/tax lot:
location descr: twnshp/rng/sect/qtr sect:1N 2W 31
resource type:Building height (stories):4.0 total elig resources:1 total inelig resources:0
elig evaluation: eligible/contributing NR Status:
prim constr date:c.1927 second date: date indiv listed:
primary orig use: Courthouse orig use comments:
second orig use:
primary style: Neo-Classical prim style comments:
secondary style: sec style comments:
primary siding: Standard Brick siding comments:
secondary siding: Terra Cotta: Other/Undefined
plan type: 3-Part Vertical Block architect:
builder:
comments/notes:
(& 1912 Annex); Address in Portland Maps was on Lincoln-- 150 Lincoln
Survey/Grouping Included In: Type of Grouping Date Listed Date Compiled
   Hillsboro Local Inventory Update 2008 Survey & Inventory Project 2008
NR date listed: N/A
ILS survey date:
RLS survey date: 03/01/2008
106 Project(s)
SHPO Case Date Agency Effect Eval
10-0831 03/11/2010 no effect
Special Assess Project(s): None
Federal Tax Project(s): None
(Includes expanded description of the building/property, setting, significant landscape features, outbuildings and alterations)
Architectural Description: The Courthouse Complex takes up a city block and is composed of three buildings; The Courthouse, The Administration Building, and the Public Safety Building. These buildings are linked together by a system of hallways. The grounds feature ornamental shrubs, a magnolia tree, and the historically significant Sequoias on the south side of the block. The courthouse is the oldest building in the complex, and it incorporates the 1911 annex as the west wing. The temple front entry on the facade is built in a classical Greek style with fluted columns that have curled capitals, lion’s heads on the entablature, anthemia on the roof line, flat-topped window openings, and a full entablature. It is a steel framed four story building faced with brick. The window openings are broad. The entry features three door ways, which are lighted by three ornate stained-glass swag lamps. The facade is oriented east. The columned entrance projects away from the main mass and features Greek inspired anthemia at the roof line. The central third of the building is one story higher than the main mass. The Administration Building and the Public Safety building were finished in 1973. The Administration Building mimics the Courthouse in its massing and facade composition. The symmetrically composed facade features a projecting entrance of grand proportion which projects above and away from the main mass, as does the columned entrance on the Courthouse. The window openings on the two modern buildings are recessed, vertically-scaled fixed windows. The windows fill each elevation to the point that the elevations appear honey-combed. The formality, absence of embellishment, and blocked design of the newer buildings contrasts with the architecture of the Courthouse.
(Chronological, descriptive history of the property from its construction through at least the historic period - preferably to the present)
Historical Significance: The first court sessions held in Washington County were in 1846 in the Presbyterian meetinghouse. The following year court was held at the Methodist meetinghouse, and in 1850 court was held in a log building on a quarter section of land purchased from David Hill. This land is now called Courthouse Square, and is the present site of the courthouse. Hillsboro was originally called Colombia, but was changed to Hillsborough in honor of David Hill. In 1858 the name was shortened to Hillsboro. In 1852 plans were made to build a wood framed building on the courthouse square. Bids were accepted, and the new courthouse was built at a cost of $3,301. It was a two story building with 22 windows. It was well built, constructed of native pine and cedar “erected ...in a faithful and workmanlike manner...” The next building episode was hindered by financial difficulties. In 1871 a brick building was started, but the first contractor refused the terms of the contract and the project was delayed for a year until the court held session again. The next contractor was several months late in completing the job, and he further displeased the court by charging more than the original contract called for. The court refused to accept the building, but later a compromise was reached, and the building was finished in 1873. The total cost of the building was $12,392.56, which was $392.52 over the original contract. This building was extensively remodeled in 1891 for a total cost of $18,282.65, and an addition was made later in 1912. In 1927 the brick courthouse was replaced with the present building, which incorporates the 1912 annex of the old 1871-1873 building. The 1927 courthouse cost $128, 357 to construct. Circa 1895, a bandstand was erected on the northeast corner of Courthouse Square. It was later moved to the northwest corner of the Square, and was removed circa 1930. The Sequoia trees were planted in 1880 by John Porter, to enhance the entrance of the 1871-1873 Courthouse. Porter was a pioneer nurseryman who brought the seeds for these trees form California where he had been during the gold rush. The sequoias were approximately 3 years old when they were planted. Courthouse Square is significant for its interpretive value to the history of Washington County. The building sequences reflect the periods of growth in the County and the City, and the buildings themselves provide a focal point for the study of City and County history. The landscaping features the Porter Sequoias, which are champion trees, a landmark, and are historically significant.
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: Other Respository:
Bibliography:
Sources Consulted: Inventory of County Archives of Oregon, no.34, Washington County: Hillsboro. The Oregon Historical Records Survey. Official Project No. 65-1-94-25. November 1914. Works Project Administrations. Hillsboro Vertical File, Washington County Museum. Recorded By: McLaughlin, Emde O’Brien, Cole Date: 1980 1985