Upcoming Neighborhood HISTORIC Events • Thursday, January 13, 7 to 9 p.m. ICA Board Meeting Irvington School 1320 NE Brazee St. IRVINGTON • Wednesday, January 19, 7 to 9 p.m. ICA Public Web Site Input Session Westminster Church, 1624 Hancock St. NEWSLETTER • Thursday, January 24, 7 p.m. A PUBLICATION OF THE IRVINGTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ICA Land Use Meeting ¶ ¶ Westminster Church, 1624 Hancock St. december 2010 FREE The Irving family: Neighborhood pioneers Helen’s Hall in Portland (now the Oregon Episcopal School.) by Mary Piper, Later the girls were sent to the Home Institute, their brother Historic Preservation Committee John to St. George’s school for boys, both in San Francisco. A granddaughter wrote, “The family’s clothes were Irvington listed on made from the finest silks, satins and brocades. Two dress- makers were kept busy making the clothes for the girls, and a National Register In the October 2010 issue of the Historic tailor took care of the men.” A daughter once wrote, “We are of Historic Places Irvington Newsletter, you were introduced to not beautiful, but we have a healthy look.” Captain William Irving and his wife, Elizabeth Captain Irving was so lenient with his youngsters, his wife found it necessary to offset his attitude and she was Jane Dixon Irving. Our story now picks up in described a having a ‘practical’ nature. An anecdote from one 1860 with William, a successful trader, and of his children was, “Sometimes, when father would be reading Elizabeth, mother of four. to mother while the children played noisily, he would say, ‘Mother, couldn’t you ask the children to be less noisy?’” Unfortunately, these happy years in British Columbia ended with the unexpected death of William Irving on August 28, 1872, at the age of 56. Elizabeth was suddenly a widow at 39 with five children at a time when the legal system was focused on male rights. She carried on in the New Westminster house while John, just 18, took over the shipping and transportation business. In 1885 Elizabeth sold the house to daughter Mary and son- fter nearly four years of intense work in-law Thomas Lasher Briggs. The home remained in the involving scores of neighborhood Briggs family until 1950, when it was purchased by the City volunteers and $25,000 in expenses, the AIrvington Historic District has been added to of New Westminster, and remains as a living example of the styles and tastes of the 19th Century pioneer middle class, the National Register of Historic Places. and is one of the finest preserved Victorian homes open to With slightly more than 2,800 properties the public. — mostly single-family homes — in its 583 acres, the new historic district is the largest in Oregon. aptain Irving was now firmly established in the More than 80 percent of Irvington’s California/Oregon/British Columbia shipping existing buildings, including some early-day apart- trade. But his long absences — two-month ments, are considered “compatible” with the historic round-tripsC to San Francisco — must have been difficult for era, which cuts off in 1948. Elizabeth, who was living in relative isolation on the east bank Irving’s protective sense motivated the of the Willamette. preservation committee. Because of city zoning Four children has been born to the couple; John in rules, larger buildings on its southern edge have 1852, Mary in 1853, Susan in 1857, and Elizabeth (Lizzie) threatened Irvington’s scale, with older houses in 1859. According to family tradition, Elizabeth now urged being torn down to make way for McMansions and William to seek another venue for his shipping trade. By now oversized lots being sliced to allow skinny houses. fully committed to steam, he decided that a fleet of stern- The effort was spearheaded by Mary wheelers in the newly proclaimed colony of British Columbia Piper, ICA board member and chair of the neigh- would be a lucrative venture. The Fraser River gold rush was borhood’s historic preservation committee. underway and transportation was desperately needed. “Working on the Historic District nomi- The Oregon homestead was kept intact and put nation was one of the most thrilling, challenging under the care of Elizabeth’s sister, Sarah Dixon Shaver, and and difficult tasks I’ve been involved with,” said her husband, George Washington Shaver. The Shavers moved Piper. “It never would have happened without the into the Irving house. ICA and the many individuals who supported the The family moved first to Victoria where their effort with time and encouragement. The work, daughter, Nellie (Nelly), was born in 1863. William became however, is not over. The transition to implementing heavily involved in constructing and operating steamships. the district’s design guidelines will take a lot of A new house was constructed in New Westminster. Not sur- effort and patience as many decisions are still to prisingly, their new home was similar to the one they had left be made by the City and our neighborhood. But, in Oregon. In mourning: Elizabeth and two of her four daughters in tradition- at this point, I think the future of Irvington is in During their adolescence, the Irving children al funeral wear following the death of William Irving in 1872. good hands.” enjoyed a good education. Mary and Susan were sent to St. Elizabeth was now a widow with a family at age 39.
December 2010 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 ica board members • 2010-2011
Remodel. Relax. From the OFFICERS President: William Archer [email protected] 503-287-3804 At Square Deal Remodeling, Vice President: Pam Lindholm-Levy our experience will carry the editor [email protected] 503-460-3100 day. Our responsive staff, and Treasurer: Mary Piper award-winning designers make [email protected] 503-288-9234 your remodeling experience Brian Schaeperkoetter Secretary: Rupert Prince [email protected] 503-281-4923 as relaxing as possible. DIRECTORS Call us now at 503.254.4156 Chris S. Allen to get your free guide, “10 [email protected] 503-249-7956 Common Remodeling Mistakes Jim Barta & How to Avoid Them”. s our neighborhood hunkers down for the holidays [email protected] 503-544-2429 and reflects on the coming of a new year, it’s a Barbara Christopher [email protected] 503-227-2672 good time to take stock of our surroundings. History www.squaredealremodel.com Christine Coers-Mitchell aboundsA in Irvington — in the homes, on the streets and in [email protected] 503-335-1476 CCB#: 79188 • WA#:SQUARDR012QQ Steven Cole the trees. And now, after years of hard work by neighbors and [email protected] 503-788-0618 members of the ICA, Irvington has made history — officially Nathan Corser [email protected] 503-493-0671 — by being placed on the National Register or Historic places. Dean Gisvold [email protected] 503-284-3885 MOLD It was a Herculean effort, spearheaded by the ICA’s own Mary Susan Hathaway-Marxer FREE INSPECTION & EVALUATION Piper, who at times seemed to channel the perseverance and [email protected] 503-281-5629
fortitude of our neighborhood’s architect and founder, Elizabeth Erik Hovmiller 503-232-6653 [email protected] 503-232-7514
Irving. Mary, aided by Portland historian and Irvington resident Nikki Johnston
www.RealEstateMoldSolutions.com James Heuer — plus a team of dedicated preservationists — [email protected] 503-287-6937 Jeff Jones Remediation - Containment - Removal worked long and hard for this designation. Congratulation to [email protected] 503-281-1023 Michela McMahon everyone for their efforts and interest in our neighborhood. [email protected] 503-287-6196 SAMPLE LAB TESTING Another exciting development for Irvington is the Jason Messer CCB# 149575 [email protected] 503-312-4175 decision by the ICA to allocate funds and volunteer time to Peter O’Neil create a new Web site for both the neighborhood association and [email protected] 503-471-3402 Brad Perkins our annual Irvington Home Tour. The project is being led by [email protected] 503-317-6455 a team of Web-savvy neighbors who are working to develop a Josh Plager [email protected] 503-281-3380 vibrant new online community space for Irvington. And we’re Brian Schaeperkoetter looking for your input on what you’d like to see from our new [email protected] 206-228-6428
Web site. We’ll be hosting two neighborhood input sessions in COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2011 before work begins on the project. To learn more, check Beautification Jason Messer and William Archer out the next page of the newsletter. [email protected] • [email protected] It’s also worth mentioning that many folks have Charitable Giving Susan Hathaway-Marxer noticed some unusual new residents in our neighborhood — [email protected] Take home a treasure from the 1880’s to the 1970’s coyotes. Last week, a Knott Street neighbor reported rounding Grievance Josh Plager Sat. Mar. 5 9-6 Sun. Mar. 6 10-5 a corner at Brazee and NE 23rd and coming face-to-face with [email protected] one. I’ve personally seen one twice in the past week: once in Historic District Toys (1890’s to 1970’s) Vintage Sewing & Linens front of my house at on Knott Street in the evening. And then Mary Piper and William Archer Costume & Estate Jewelry Primitives & Country [email protected] • [email protected] Prints & Paintings Men’s Antiques Watches again, sauntering down Knott unaware — and unafraid — of Home Tour Period Furniture Vintage Children’s Books cars and joggers the next morning. He (or she?) stopped traffic Jimmie St. Arnold and Garrison Hullinger 40’s & 50’s Kitchen Salt & Pepper Shakers [email protected] Fun Collectibles from the 60’s Military Items and caused quite a stir. It’s a good reminder to keep a close Land Use Dean Gisvold Sterling flatware & trinkets Miniatures & Figurines watch on your pets. China & Glass Vintage Lighting [email protected] Here’s to a safe holiday for all in our neighborhood. Newsletter Bring A Family Treasure! Brian Schaeperkoetter And to a happy and healthy new year! Evaluations $5.00 per object [email protected] Nominating All proceeds go to the Portland Police’s Sunshine Division Our experts are able to provide a market evaluation on Nikki Johnston virtually anything vintage! [email protected] HISTORIC IRVINGTON Parks PORTLAND EXPO CENTER Jason Messer and Jeff Jones NEWSLETTER [email protected] • [email protected] Shop where the decorators shop! NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES 1,000 Abandoned Vehicles (24-hour hotline) 503-823-7309 Booths EDITOR: Brian Schaeperkoetter Abandoned Vehicles (daytime) 503-823-6814 Adult Admission: $7.00 Parking at Expo $7.00 Animal Control 503-988-3066 $5.00 at Portland Meadows or ride MAX Bicycle Program 503-823-2925 www.palmerwirfs.com (503)282-0877 Sorry, no dogs HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER Garbage Service Info/Problems 503-823-7202 P.O. Box 12102 Graffiti Cleanup (Info/assistance) 503-823-5860 Portland, OR 97212 Graffiti Hotline (Police) 503-823-4824 Landlord/Tenant Mediation 503-282-1964 “Best all-around” NE Coalition of Neighborhoods 503-823-4575 For advertising inquiries, contact Melissa Messer: — PORTLAND MONTHLY READER’S CHOICE NE Crime Prevention 503-823-4763 [email protected] NE Precinct (Police) 503-823-2122 For editorial contributions or comments, contact: Neighborhood Mediation 503-823-3152 [email protected] Noise Reporting & Control 503-823-7350 Office of Neighborhood Involvement 503-823-4519 Published four times a year. Parking Enforcement 503-823-5195 Comments, suggestions, and/or contributions Rider Advocates 503-823-4223 Street Light Outages & Tree Trims 503-823-5216 are welcome. This is your newsletter! Tree Planting Information 503-823-4489 For general ICA info or questions, contact: Zoning/Code Enforcement 503-823-7526 [email protected] Don’t miss the ICA Web pages: Great Wine Buys LEGISLATORS www.irvingtonpdx.com Irvington’s wine shop since 1985 State Representatives www.irvingtonhometour.com Jackie Dingfelder » » [email protected] 503-986-1445 • Case discounts, wines from $8 and up Deadline for March issue: February 1, 2011. State Senators • Tastings on Fridays and Saturdays Avel Gordly • Food & wine pairing expertise Copies of the newsletter are also delivered [email protected] 503-986-1723 to Costello’s, Manhattan Cafe, Mio Gelato, Chip Shields » » [email protected] 503-231-2564 1515 NE Broadway Cafe Destino and the Irvington School. 503.287.2897 www.greatwinebuys.com
PAGE 2 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER December 2010 Design. Full Installation. Maintenance www.seeddesigns.com 503.449.8178 or 971.322.3191 THE The ICA meets on the second Thursday lcb # 8856 Designing Gorgeous of every month (except July and August), Plants with Purpose into your IRVINGTON 7 p.m. at the Irvington Elementary Custom Sustainable Landscape COMMUNITY School, 1320 NE Brazee St. Local issues are discussed and all Irvington ASSOCIATION residents are welcome to attend. P.O. BOX 12102, PORTLAND, OREGON 97212
Are you looking for the minutes from our recent board meetings? Minutes are posted in full on our Web site at www.irvingtonpdx.com.
Learn more about the neighborhood: An update from your ICA Land Use Committee by Dean Gisvold ere’s an update on recent matters on which the The conditional use for the proposed bed and breakfast at ICA Land Use Committee and ICA Board have 2337 NE 15th was granted by the City in a decision dated been working. August 21, 2009. You can read the entire decision by visiting H www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=46576& and Columbia River Crossing (CRC) scrolling down to Irvington to find the LU number referenced The CRC is alive, maybe not well, but definitely alive. The above with an August 21 date. The decision approved the Committee has discussed the CRC several times, and has application with 16 conditions, including a set of “house voiced concern about the proposal, especially the costs. rules” and the establishment of a “Good Neighbor Agreement” For more information about the CRC, visit www.vimeo. (GNA) with the ICA (see condition H). com/16020066 and to www.concordiapdx.org/2010/06/16/ The mediation over the GNA with the owner has columbia-crossing-what-does-it-mean. been rocky. At first it appeared that progress was being made, The City appears to be contemplating a 10-lane, and then we were back to square one. As we go to press, the instead of 12 lanes, version of the CRC, but others are seeking owner has finally identified specific provisions in the GNA alternatives to this massive public works project, which they that, in his opinion, must be deleted or modified. We will argue harkens back to the major freeway projects of the 70s, make one final attempt to reach a resolution. such as the Mt. Hood freeway, which was never built. For a discussion of the costs, visit www.impresaconsulting.com/ The Portland Plan taxonomy/term/13 and click on financial analysis of CRC. Although I have nothing new to report, the Portland Plan is important. Once completed, it will be the City’s strategic Rose Quarter/Memorial Coliseum plan for the next 25 years. Your ICA Land Use Committee is As reported in the last newsletter, the existing contractual monitoring the Plan process. The basic Plan information, the agreements with the Trail Blazers leave, in my opinion, little process, the workshop videos, and the workshop polling room for significant redevelopment. These agreements were results can be found at www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/. signed in 1993, but the development agreements expire this We expect that the next phase will start in February, 2011. November, while the operating agreement that allows the Trail Blazers to manage both spectator event arenas, the Rose Adjustments/Developments in Irvington Quarter Arena and the Memorial Coliseum, expires in 2013, This is an appeal to future applicants in our neighborhood, but can be extended for another 10 years without City approval. especially in view of the new (as of October 22, 2010) historic The RQ SAC was recently advised by the Mayor that he will district status, which covers all of Irvington. If you plan to ask the City Council to extend the November 2010 expiration submit modifications, adjustment or conditional use requests date for the development agreements. The likely extension to the City, please note that the ICA and its land use committee period is six months with another six-month option. The will be notified. The committee will take up the requests and rationale from mayor Sam Adams: “The discussions so far in many cases take action. Please, contact us before and during have been productive.” the initial phase of the process. The Committee can discuss the requests and give the applicant our advice, which may help Proposed Bed and Breakfast at 2337 NE 15th Avenue the applicant design the request in a way to avoid conflict with LU 08-175882 the Code, the guidelines, the Committee and the neighborhood.
Please join us for our upcoming ICA Land Use Committee meeting on January 27 at 7 p.m. in Rooms C and D in the basement level of Westminster Church at 1624 NE Hancock St.
ICA seeks your input for creation of new Web site for neighborhood and home tour
hroughout the coming year, a team of ICA current Irvington Home Tour Web site, which has become a members and Web-savvy volunteers will be working nationwide destination for information and photos of the historic to update and upgrade the online presence of the homes in our neighborhood. 1714 N.E. BROADWAY IrvingtonT Community Association and its largest fundraiser: But first, we need your input as to what you would PORTLAND, OR 97232 The Irvington Home Tour. The project, which will involve an like to see the project accomplish. The ICA will host two open 503-284-1726 outside contractor to build the site, will be funded with support forums for ideas and feedback from 7 to 9 p.m. on January www.broadwaybooks.net from the ICA, plus volunteer time from interested neighbors. 19 and February 16 in the Fireside Room of Westminster E-mail us at [email protected] The goal is to create a new online community where Presbyterian Church at 1624 Hancock St. Hours: Mon to Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sun 12 - 5 p.m. neighbors can learn more about events in Irvington. The project Please join us and help create a new, vibrant meeting will also provide a much-needed facelift and retooling to the space for our neighborhood! December 2010 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 A cautionary tale: Improper, unpermitted pruning results
Specializing in Portland’s Older Homes We Listen to Your Desires, Evaluate Your Floor’s Condition in loss of century-old maples & Make Recommendations to Achieve Maximum Beauty & Utility the sidewalk pour, the City arborist made a decision that these trees had been received irreparable damage and would have to be removed at the homeowner’s expense. The homeowner, who understands the seriousness of the situation, will replace the trees, as well as make additional repairs to the replaced sidewalk, which was damaged when the trees were removed. “These were fairly sound big-leaf maples that are becoming ever rarer in the neighborhood,” said arborist and Irvington resident Jason Messer. “That whole sidewalk replacement could have simply been bridged right over the roots. The city has no patience for 180-degree radial root pruning on 100- year-old trees. This method of pruning involved cutting all the major roots on one side of the tree; this makes the tree suscep- tible to falling over and limbs dying to the loss of roots.” To some, having all the trees removed may seem like an overreaction by the City. But, they would be held responsible if the trees died and cars or pedestrians were harmed from fall- ing limbs. Irvington residents who live on lots with large trees, should take note of the following advice: • Make sure your parking strip trees are healthy. Before: stately maples, planted more than a century ago, provided • If you want to lay new sidewalks, make sure that permits are a buffer from everyday city life in Irvington. obtained and contractors understand the intricacies of root systems. • Make sure that contractors do no damage to any trees on or he trees in our neighborhood are a valuable near your property. resource. They provide shade on summer days, • If you’re not sure about any of the above, ask a certified offer a buffer against city noise, and enhance arborist to take a look. the Tvalue of our homes. They should be protected and cared • Remember: the parking strip is public right-of-way — but it for by knowledgeable experts — especially when home is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain. improvements or pruning are involved. Recently, an Irvington resident hired a contractor to remove his aging, broken sidewalk and replace it with new one. The resident, who had the best of intentions by upgrading his property, lives on a corner lot with three very large maple trees planted in the public right-of-way. The contractor, hired by he resident to repair the sidewalk, apparently failed to secure a permit from the City of Portland — and in fact, may in fact have not had a current license. In preparing to lay the new sidewalk the contractor used a method known as 180-degree radial pruning to clear roots, which were under the existing sidewalks. In doing so, the contractor damaged the 100-year old trees enough that they were deemed unstable by the City. The aftermath: enormous trunks and stumps litter the parking Because the City was not called for inspection before strip where century-old big-leaf maples once stood.
Share your support for educational excellence in our Great Gifts For Gardeners! community by supporting Irvington School’s auction
Irvington School’s annual auction strives to raise enough money every year so that its children can enjoy programs in music, art and supplemental literacy. As we prepare for our next auction, we are asking you for help in any of these three ways: 1. Please sponsor our auction. Whether you are a family in the community or a business owner, we are grateful for sponsorships of all levels. 2. Please donate goods or services to be raffled off at the auction. We have so much talent and so many resources in our community. Ask yourself: what can you offer that the As Portland Public Schools face year-over-year budget cuts, Irvington school might be able to auction? A beach house? Music lessons? School’s annual fundraiser has become even more critical as an The creative possibilities are endless. important economic driver for the school. 3. We invite you to come to the auction and really enjoy yourself. This year’s theme, “An Evening in the City,” usic, art and literacy — these are three will be held at the elegant Pure Space in the Pearl on March important academic areas that many assume 11, 2011. to be part of any K-8 school’s curriculum. To learn more about sponsoring, donating or attending However,M due to budget cuts, school communities now fend the 2011 Irvington School auction, we invite you to contact 2100 NE Broadway for themselves, finding creative ways to fund programs that us at [email protected]. As many of us know, Portland, OR 97232 have fallen off the curriculum. a strong community school makes a community even stronger.
PAGE 4 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER December 2010 The Irving family: Neighborhood pioneers, cont.
er children all married, Elizabeth Irving now be within 25 feet of the street and no building to cost less than looked to Portland and the Irving homestead. $2,500 under penalty of forfeiture.” Her daughter Lizzie and son-in-law Ernest In addition, only one dwelling was allowed per lot. SpencerH had built a fine home on the bank of the Willamette Since no stables or barns were allowed, residents had to rely on near the original Irving house, and Elizabeth had a new home the streetcar or keep their horses at stables built near NE 7th. constructed close by. Since there were no zoning laws during this time, the success The portion of the homestead in William Irving’s of these deed covenants was observed by other developers and name went into the hands of his children, but it appears that became a template for later middle- and upper-class developments it was Elizabeth, through her son-in-law Ernest Spencer, who in surrounding neighborhoods. dictated the development that followed. In 1887, Elizabeth married Anthony G. Ryan in In 1882 Elizabeth and her son sold 289 acres to D.P. New York City. Little is known about him. In 1895 she filed Thompson (Portland mayor from 1879-1882), John W. Brazee for divorce, charging cruelty and habitual drunkenness, and was and Ellis G. Hughes for $62,000. This included all the land east successful in reclaiming control of her land when the divorce of present day NE 14th Avenue and west of NE 24th between was granted. Fremont & Tillamook. Also platted in 1882, was John Irving’s Elizabeth Irving had long been an admirer of thor- first addition, bounded by present day streets NE Tillamook to oughbred horses and she now traveled to England to purchase the north, NE 17th to the west, NE Halsey to the south and horses for the Dixon’s ranches in the Umpqua Valley. According NE 24th to the east. to one daughter, she also became interested in the breeding of Shetland ponies. It’s not surprising, then, that Elizabeth became involved in the development of the Irvington Race Track. (Editor’s note: The story of the Race Track will be presented in the March 2011 edition of this newsletter.) Here is a timeline of some important accomplish- ments by Elizabeth: • 1884 — Builds Irvington and Victoria Docks on the Irving land claim Sonia Connolly, LMT • 1887 — Sells 288 acres to Thompson, Brazee & Hughes • 1887— Plats 500+ acres for residential use with covenants 503-334-6434 • 1890— Plats West Irvington Visit TraumaHealed.com • 1892— Leases 80 acres for Irvington Race Track for details and resources Reiki • Massage • CranioSacral • 1905 — Files suit against race track operators • 1905 — Sells land for construction of Irvington school Peaceful Irvington Location • 1907 — Demolishes race track and development of residential Helping you heal from trauma lots follow • 1912 — Rededicates NW corner of Irvington for public use $15 off your first session! Call today! (Irving Park) LMT 12475 For the remainder of her life, Elizabeth resided with her daughter Lizzie. In 1911 the Spencer home was moved to NE 12th between Knott and Brazee, where it still stands. In 1887 the Original Plat Map of Irvington District In 1922, Elizabeth died at 88 years of age. She was was recorded. It included Elizabeth Irving’s portion of the dona- survived by five children and 20 grandchildren. tion land claim and, it is believed, the first occasion in Portland Elizabeth once spoke of the endurance of the women when restrictive covenants were placed on residential construc- who came west in the 1850ss. Her life story exemplifies not tion. It is believed that Elizabeth Irving is responsible for these only that endurance, but steadfastness, practicality and vision covenants: at a time when women had little legal or political power. She “During the period of 25 years from and after the showed foresight in establishing covenants for Irvington and first day of July 1891 and until and after the first day of July in seeing that they were respected. 1916, no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold or Her legacy is the Irvington neighborhood. Our challenge otherwise disposed of as a beverage in any place of public resort is to preserve what she envisioned. on the premises … nor shall said premises at any time during said period be occupied or used for any shop, factory or other Sources: Roos, Roy. The History & Development of Portland’s place of business, or be used for the carrying of any livery stable, Irvington Neighborhood, 1997. Irving House: A family history, laundry, foundry, or of any trade or business whatsoever, not for Irving House Historic Centre, 1988 Cox, Mary Aline. Saga of a use other than residence purposes, nor be in any manner used Seafarer: The Annals of Capt. William Irving. 1966. Photos from or occupied by Chinese other than as the said Chinese may be the Oregon Historical Society Collection and the New Westminster employed by residents thereon as house servants, no building to Museum and Public Library.
December 2010 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 Remembering the life of a baseball legend and long- time Irvington resident: Artie Wilson by Gordon Oliver
impressive evidence: Wilson’s .376 batting average was second highest in Negro League’s history; he was the last player to hit .400 (.402 in 1948) in a major baseball league; he was a four-time All-Star shortstop while playing for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League; he won bat- ting titles in the Birmingham Industrial League, the Negro Leagues, and the Pacific Coast League. Creel Construction But it was Artie’s special qualities as a man that drew irvington resident and builder since 1998 Revel to fly from his home in Birmingham for the funeral. “Of the hundreds of Negro Leagues players I’ve interviewed, BRAD CREEL he was one of the most humble and unassuming I’ve ever historic craftsman renovations known,” Revel said. clean and green Revel was not alone in his superlatives. Friends and 503-998-9465 All-star among us: Mentor to Willie Mays, family members repeated some common descriptive phrases License # 160218, [email protected] about Artie: he was a humble spirit; a man of integrity and standout Negro League baseball player, honesty; a family man and a man of faith; an impeccable devoted family man, and Irvington neighbor. dresser; and perhaps the only salesman to advise a customer to Artie Wilson led a storied life, spending the not to buy an expensive Lincoln but to keep an older model and invest the money instead. majority of his time in Portland — and in our He made friends of customers, employers and 1631 NE Broadway neighborhood. neighbors. “He made me a better person,” said Gary Neighborhood Owned and Operated McManus, former owner of the Gary Worth dealership owner Tel: 503-284-6092 rtie and Dorothy Wilson moved to Irvington who said he met Artie 1960, when he pulled into the Chrysler in 1955, when Artie played shortstop for the product dealership, then located on the former Union Avenue, Great selection of Portland Beavers. He was a well-known figure driving a Pontiac hardtop. “I’ll never forget him for that.” office supplies aroundA town in those days, a talented and popular baseball Born in Alabama in 1920, Artie began working for a player who was near the end of a successful baseball career that cast iron company in Birmingham in 1937 and immediately start- included play in the Negro Leagues, the Pacific Coast League, ed playing for the company’s baseball team in the Birmingham and – briefly – the New York Giants of the National League. Industrial League. He joined the Birmingham Black Barons Artie’s name still triggered memories from old-timers of the Negro American League in 1944 and played through Postal Services decades later, during his long second career as a car salesman 1948. Artie then played for the Pacific Coast League, was called mailboxes • faxing for Gary Worth auto dealership. He passed away on October up for part of the 1951 season to the National League’s New York 31, just days after his wife hosted a 90th birthday party for Giants, then returned to Pacific Coast League teams including the notary services Artie at the Hawthorne Gardens Senior Living Center in Portland Beavers through 1957. full service copy/print center - Southeast Portland, where Artie lived in his final months. we now do banners & posters! Artie was among the last living players from the old Negro Leagues, an affiliation of predominately black baseball packing supplies teams that operated in the days when major league baseball 100+ box sizes in stock was closed to black players. Negro Leagues baseball came Bubble mailers Decorative mailers Envelopes to an end in 1951, after Jackie Robinson broke professional on-site shredding baseball’s color barrier. Artie’s baseball career largely ended in 1957, when he played for the Sacramento Salons of the Pacific Open 7 days a week! M-F 8 am - 7 pm / Sat. 9-5 / Sun 12-5 Coast League after a stint in Portland, but he was called up Notary available all hours we’re open by the Beavers in 1962 when they needed him to close out an injury-plagued season. Artie at bat: As a Portland Beaver, Wilson is still regarded as the last player to hit .400 for a season in a top professional league.
Baseball was a full-time occupation for Artie during much of his career: from 1947-55 he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League, most of those years with the Mayaguez Indios, and he’s still remembered on the island as a sports hero. Artie’s love of baseball continued throughout his life, and he worked in Portland schools to convince more students of color to play the sport. He loved golf, on the links and on television, and enjoyed spending time with employees and cus- tomers at the Gary Worth dealership in Gladstone long after his retirement in 2000. He was a man of short sentences and long pauses, with a soft voice that demanded attention in order to be heard. He would sometimes tell old stories, talk about sports, or shake his head in wonder at the world. “Better days are coming,” he would sometimes say. But Artie had no regrets or bitterness that he’d lived In his later years, Artie Wilson remained a passionate supporter in an era of racial discrimination in sports. “He was just happy and active fan and of baseball. that he was able to play baseball,” Artie Jr. says. Artie is survived by Dorothy, his wife of over 60 At his November 17 funeral at Mt. Olivet Baptist years; daughters Jean Walden of Youngstown, Oh. And Zoe Church in North Portland, Artie was remembered as one of Wilson Price of Forsyth Ill.; son Artie of Honolulu; one grandson, the greatest baseball players of his era, a man who loved the three granddaughters; nine great-grandsons and one great- game and was convinced, his son recalled, he could still walk granddaughter. to the plate and get a hit off any pitcher even a few years ago. He was “one of the greatest Negro Leagues baseball Gordon Oliver, a journalist and writer, has lived across the street players in history,” declared Layton Revel, a founder of the from the Wilson family since 1981 and was honorary pallbearer Center for Negro League Baseball Research. Revel rattled off at Artie’s funeral.
PAGE 6 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER December 2010 Friends of Trees to hold now solar powered! 503-281-8075 Irvington planting day www.cloudburstrecycling.com n partnership with Friends of Trees, the Irvington neighborhood is planning a tree planting project for DROP BOX SERVICE March 12, 2011. Join us to help plant trees and create a COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION healthierI community. * MAXIMUM RECYCLING * Planting a tree in your yard or parking strip creates We collect -- COOKING OIL for BIODIESEL long-lasting benefits enjoyed by everyone. Did you know that & FOOD WASTE for COMPOSTING trees remove pollutants from the air? A typical tree absorbs 10 pounds of pollutants, cleans 330 pounds of carbon dioxide, and creates 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Trees also help intercept and retain 760 gallons of rainwater each year, which help keep our rivers clean and help save us money on stormwater fees. 3.25 x 1.8 Trees also can raise the property value of your home by up to 20 percent. This winter, the Irvington neighborhood is teaming up with Friends of Trees to offer homeowners trees for their yard or parking strip for $75. The cost will include a site inspection by the Urban Forestry Department to ensure you choose the right tree for your home, hole digging, help with planting your tree, stakes, mulch, ties, labels, follow-up monitoring, and information on proper tree care techniques. Sign-up deadline for the Irvington planting is February 7 and tree order deadline is February 27. For more information or to order trees, visit friendsoftrees.org. Or, contact Albert at [email protected] to get involved.
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December 2010 HISTORIC IRVINGTON NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 HISTORIc IRVINGTON
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