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Inventory Form

LOCATION AND PROPERTY NAME
address:913 NW Garden Valley Blvd historic name:Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Roseburg, Douglas County current/other names:Department of Veteran Affairs; Roseburg Veterans Administration Hospital
assoc addresses:
block/lot/tax lot:
location descr: twnshp/rng/sect/qtr sect:27S 6W 13
PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS
resource type:building height (stories):5.0 total elig resources:24 total inelig resources:19
elig evaluation: eligible/significant NR Status: Individually Listed
prim constr date:c.1932 second date: date indiv listed:01/29/2013
primary orig use: Hospital orig use comments:
second orig use:
primary style: Classical Revival: other prim style comments:
secondary style: sec style comments:
primary siding: Brick:Other/Undefined siding comments:
secondary siding:
plan type: architect:
builder:Construction Service, US Vetrerans Administration
comments/notes:
GROUPINGS / ASSOCIATIONS
Survey/Grouping Included In: Type of Grouping Date Listed Date Compiled
   United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals MPS 2012
SHPO INFORMATION FOR THIS PROPERTY
NR date listed: 01/29/2013
ILS survey date:
RLS survey date:
106 Project(s)
SHPO Case Date Agency Effect Eval
08/25/2003 no adverse effect
Special Assess Project(s): None
Federal Tax Project(s): None
ARCHITECTURAL / PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
(Includes expanded description of the building/property, setting, significant landscape features, outbuildings and alterations)
The Roseburg Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, currently known as the Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, is located at 913 Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard, in Douglas County, approximately two miles northwest of downtown Roseburg, Oregon. Opened in 1933, the Roseburg VA Hospital was initially a domiciliary and general medical hospital. In 1937 the facility was designated a neuropsychiatric veterans hospital. The medical center is located within a campus setting with an open ellipse located directly east of the main building (Resource 1), large lawns in the eastern and southern sections, and a large grove of trees filling the southeast portion of the medical center’s property. The irregularly-shaped property contains approximately 157 acres north of the South Umpqua River including two tracts (approximately 43 acres) that were transferred to the National Cemetery Association in 2011 for enlarging the Roseburg National Cemetery. The historic district boundary encompasses approximately 77 acres, comprising the majority of the western portion of the Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System’s property. Additionally, the existing Roseburg National Cemetery (Resource F, 1894), located south of the South Umpqua River is included in the historic district as a discontiguous element containing approximately 5 acres. The bridge (Resource G, 1933) constructed by the VA to connect the main campus to the former Oregon State Soldiers Home property to the south of the South Umpqua River is included as a contributing resource. The historic district consists of gently rolling topography that slopes upward along the western edge of the historic district. The most prominent designed landscape feature located within the Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District is the ellipse (Resource L), with other landscape features including mature trees aligned along the ellipse and the north and southern portions of the internal road system; mature trees near the staff residential quarters and in the rose garden; and the curving sidewalks found between the buildings and along the drives. The majority of buildings are situated in the northern and middle portions of the historic district. The buildings are principally divided into three groups according to original function: maintenance/utility buildings in the northwest portion of the historic district; the administration/recreation/patient care buildings in the north-central portion; and the residential staff quarters in the central-southern portion of the historic district. The administration, patient care, and recreational buildings dating to the period of significance are oriented to the ellipse. Many of the buildings constructed during the period of significance feature brick exteriors with Classical Revival architectural detailing. The main building (Resource 1, 1933) is oriented to the east, while the current main entrance to the facility is in the ambulatory care/outpatient clinic addition (Resource 1-AC, 1994), which is oriented to the northwest. The historic district contains forty-three resources, including twenty-four considered contributing to the Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District. Contributing resources are those that retain integrity and convey the historic district’s significance during the period of significance (1932–1950) including the Roseburg National Cemetery, which was established in 1894. Nineteen resources are considered noncontributing to the historic district. The Roseburg VA Hospital was constructed as one of three veterans homes and general medical hospitals designed by the VA, with the other two examples located in Bay Pines, Florida, and Biloxi, Mississippi. Characteristics shared by this sub-group of Second Generation Veterans Hospitals include the ellipse in the design of the facilities; grouping of buildings into three clusters according to their functions; similarity in the design of the main buildings at the three facilities (including the use of galleries along the facades and/or rear elevations), although the architectural style differed at each of the three homes/general medical hospitals; and the cemetery associated with each of the three facilities. Of the Period II Second Generation Veterans Hospital originally designed by the VA, cemeteries are only found at the three examples of the sub-type homes/general medical hospitals.
HISTORY
(Chronological, descriptive history of the property from its construction through at least the historic period - preferably to the present)
The Roseburg Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Historic District is significant as an excellent, intact example of a Period II veterans home/general medical Second Generation Veterans Hospital that was later converted to a neuropsychiatric hospital. The Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A at the state level of significance in the areas of Politics/Government because of the intense campaign effort on the part of local organizations to secure the location of the federal veterans home in Roseburg and its impact on the local community and veterans throughout the state of Oregon and northern portions of California. It is also eligible under Criterion A in the areas of Health/Medicine at the state level of significance because of the mission of the federal government, through the VA, to provide domiciliary and health care to veterans of World War I and World War II. This historic district is also eligible under Criterion C in the area of Architecture at the national level of significance because the Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District is the most intact example of a facility that incorporates design elements of the three examples of Period II veterans home/general medical hospital sub-type of Second Generation Veterans Hospitals. This includes incorporating standardized designs for major buildings within the three examples of this sub-type, although each exhibits different architectural styles, and the general landscape layout that incorporates elements such as the large, open ellipse. The period of significance for the Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District extends from 1932–1950. The Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District meets the registration requirements as set forth in the United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals Multiple Property Documentation Form, including its design, construction, and use by the federal government to provide medical and/or domiciliary care to veterans between the years 1919 and 1950; the resources relate to one another through a common purpose, design, materials, function, development, and a campus setting; it represents the distinctive characteristics of type and period of construction; and the historic district retains sufficient integrity to convey its significance. The period of significance for the Roseburg, Oregon, VA Hospital Historic District extends from 1932 to 1950. The period of significance begins with the construction of the medical facility and continues through 1950, the date of the last federal veterans hospital constructed utilizing the design philosophies developed for Second Generation Veterans Hospitals. The Roseburg VA Hospital Historic District is an excellent example of a veterans home/general medical hospital that retains characteristics of this sub-type of Second Generation Veterans Hospital. The statewide level of significance for the Roseburg, Oregon, VA Hospital is evidenced by its original role as a regional medical center that originally provided domiciliary and general medical care to veterans in Oregon and northern California. Within five years of opening, the mission of the Roseburg VA Hospital was re-designated to serve as a neuropsychiatric veterans hospital.
RESEARCH INFORMATION
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:
Administrator of Veterans Affairs Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1946. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947. Administrator of Veterans Affairs Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1947. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1948. Administrator of Veterans Affairs Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1949. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950. Administrator of Veterans Affairs Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1950. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1951. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1934. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1935. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1935. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1935. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1938. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1938. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1942. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1942. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1943. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1943. Annual Report of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1945. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946. Applen, J.A. “Cultural Resources Inventory, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Association, Roseburg, Oregon.” Medford, Oregon: Sore Foot Archaeology, 2009. Electronic document available at http://www.cem.va.gov/pdf/RoseburgCRInventory.pdf. Accessed February 7, 2011. Bajandas, Inka. “Roseburg Seeks Historic Status for Arts Center Building.” The News-Review (Roseburg, Oregon). August 30, 2011. Electronic document available at http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20110830/NEWS/110839997. Accessed January 24, 2012. Beckham, Stephen Dow. Land of the Umpqua: A History of Douglas County, Oregon. Roseburg, Oregon: Douglas County Commissioners, 1986. Donovan, Sally and Ayla Geller. Oregon State Soldiers’ Home Hospital National Register of Historic Places nomination. Hood River, Oregon: Donovan and Associates, 2011, listed 2012. Eugene Register (Eugene, Oregon). “Oregon City Out.” July 31, 1931. _____. “Visits Salem.” July 31, 1931. Eugene Register-Guard (Eugene, Oregon). “Soldiers Home Given Roseburg by Vets Board.” September 9, 1931. Mollenhoff, Gjore J. and Karen R. Tupek. Veterans Administration Medical Center (Roseburg, Oregon), National Register of Historic Places Determination of Eligibility. Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C., 1980. Located in the files of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Historic Preservation Office, Office of Construction and Facilities Management , Washington, D.C. Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). “Hines, Riggs View Site at Roseburg.” August 1, 1931. _____. “Veterans Relief Goes Back to 1812.” July 31, 1931. National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991. _____. National Register Eligibility of National Cemeteries - A Clarification of Policy. National Park Service, n.d. Electronic document available at http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/guidance/Final_Eligibility_of_VA_cemeteries_A_Clarification_of_Policy_rev.doc. Accessed June 26, 2012. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Files of the State Historic Preservation Office, Salem, Oregon Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon). “Roseburg Site is Scanned by General Hines.” August 1, 1931. Personal correspondence from Garth Stacey. Director of the Facilities Management Department. Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. Roseburg News Review (Roseburg, Oregon). “Cemetery, and Memories, All that Remain of Military Home.” n.d. _____. “Ellsworth Introduces Bill to Deed VA Tract to Roseburg for Park.” January 14, 1956. _____. “Events Leading Up to VA Hospital Establishment Described at Chamber Meet,” November 6, 1956. _____. “Explosives Work.” October 4, 1982. _____. “Lowest on Chief Unit is $544,000.” April 2, 1932. _____. “National Soldiers’ Home Site, Roseburg, Formally Accepted by U.S. Board.” September 5, 1931. _____. “Old Soldiers Building Sees Some Change.” December 19, 1955. _____. “Old Soldiers Home.” September 27, 1981. _____. “Reserves Occupy New Home.” December 19, 1955. _____. “Roseburg Bids State to Fete September 19.” September 10, 1931. _____. “Roseburg Gets Soldiers’ Home,” September 8, 1931. _____. “State Plant Transferred to U.S. Govt.” May 8, 1933. _____. “State Soldiers’ Home and Site Opposite Accepted.” September 8, 1931. _____. “Steps to Buy Vets’ Home Site Taken.” September 8, 1931. _____. ’Whoopee’ Staged at Award News.” September 8, 1931. _____. “Work Begun to Get Title to Home Site.” September 26, 1931. “The Soldier’s Home.” Unknown newspaper. May 29, 1931. Files of the Public Affairs Department, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Files of the Engineering Department. Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. _____. Files of the Facilities Management Department, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. _____. Files of the Public Affairs Department, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. _____. 50th Anniversary, Medical Center, Roseburg, Oregon, 1933-1983. Washington, D.C.: Veterans Administration, 1983. Located in the files of the Public Affairs Office, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. _____. VA Roseburg Healthcare System: Celebrating 75 years Serving Veterans. Roseburg, Oregon. Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2008. Located in the files of the Public Affairs Office, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. Veterans Administration. “History of Roseburg, Oregon Medical Center: Roseburg, Oregon.” Roseburg Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1979. Located in the files of the Public Affairs Office, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon. _____. “Veterans Administration Hospital, Roseburg, Oregon: A General Medical and Surgical Hospital.” VA Fact Sheet 33. 1977. Located in the files of the Public Affairs Office, Veterans Affairs Roseburg Healthcare System, Roseburg, Oregon.