Green+Gables

Green Gables, AKA The Hoffman House, 1905 1703 Main Street //Forest Grove Inventory of Cultural Resources// (1985)

"A.G. (Albert) Hoffman was the original owner of this elaborately embellished residence commonly known as, Green Gables. A.G. Hoffman was born November 9, 1859, in the town of Colfax, Indiana. Losing his father at age four, he attended public school in Indiana until moving to northern Missouri with his mother and brother when he was fifteen. He worked his way through four years of college at the Vapariso Normal and Purdue University, by student teaching. After graduating he taught school for three years, acting the last year as principal, at a high school in Genoa, Nebraska. In 1886 he became assistant cashier of the Stromsberg Bank in Nebraska. He also continued to teach at night during the first two of his five year stay here. Then in 1891, Hoffman accepted the position of cashier and manager of the State Bank of Arnold, Nebraska. He remained in this capacity for eight years, at which time he turned his interests to the mercantile business, along with farming and stock raising.

In 1904-05, these interests brought him to Forest Grove. upon arriving in town, he purchased the interest of F.A. Watrous in the firm 'Watrous & Allen,' a general merchandise store. He remained a member of the 'Hoffman and Allen Company' until its dissolution on February 1913. At this time Hoffman secured the entire interest of the store changing the name of the establishment to the 'A.G. Hoffman Company.' Changes included adding considerably to the many lines of goods carried, and securing a working interest with C.E. Jay of Portland, an experienced salesman. Hoffman also thoroughly renovated the store, which was housed in the building now known as Grove Furniture Store. A.G. Hoffman was also involved in the ownership of the Forest Grove Press newspaper between 1911 and 1913, when he sold it to George Huntington Currey of La Grande.

A.G. Hoffman and his wife and daughter, Aileen, resided in this house for many years, the last known date being 1935. During the Depression it was used as a boarding house and later in the 1940s, as apartments until purchased by Nels Gabbert and Lindley Morton, in 1977. Condemned by the city just prior to their purchase, Gabbert and Morton saved the building by investing their own time and expertise toward restoring the historic house. For four months they worked full time on both the interior and exterior, and their efforts have proved to be a success. The house is now rented out as a duplex.

The A.G. Hoffman house is significant as an example of late Queen Anne style house restored to its former and intended elegance by two talented and well-intentioned community members. The original builder and owner, A.G. Hoffman, left many business and social contributions to the City of Forest Grove. In addition, this house remains in excellent condition, as a visual treasure to be enjoyed by the residents of Forest Grove for many years to come."

Photos of the house can be seen here. See also Hoffman House (2002), City of Forest Grove.