Russell+-+Crosley+(Harry)+House

C.V.B. Russell House, c. 1896 2125 "A" Street //Forest Grove Inventory of Cultural Resources// (1985)

"__ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION__ Commonly known as the Russell house, this Stick Style residence was constructed c. 1896. It is 1 1/2 stories high, irregular in plan, with an emphasis on verticality. The roof is multigabled with boxed eaves and clad with composition shingle. Two chimneys pierce the central roof ridge. The residence has a variety of siding materials: shiplap, horizontal board, vertical board, stickwork and fancy cut shingles embellish the exterior. The original doors and windows remain. Double hung sash windows of 1/1 are seen throughout the house and are grouped in a bay of three on the west facade. Some of the windows have multi-panes of small, colored glass. Vertical decorative wood panels are below the windows.

The residence has an elaborately decorated side porch on the northwest facade. It has turned posts and spindelwork along the upper and lower rail. Arc and fan-shaped spindelwork and latticework is seen along the upper portion of the porch. Decorative brackets are above the side bay windows. A one story porch, partially enclosed, is attached to the side of the building. A small barn with a south attachment is north of the residence, which is in good condition.

__CONTEXTUAL DESCRIPTION__ The Russell residence is situated on the east side of "A" Street. It is surrounded by a well-tended lawn, foundation shrubs, and a beautiful garden. Deciduous trees line "A" Street and two small lattice gates are on either side of the house. These gates were recently added by the owner.

__HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE__ This residence is associated with C.V.B. Russell, who is said to have resided in Forest Grove for 16 years. Russell was born in 1844. he came to Forest Grove with his wife, Matilda, in 1894. This residence was constructed c. 1896 and it is not known when Russell first owned the home. The residence dows not appear on the Forest Grove 1892 Sandborn Fire Insurance Map. It does show up in its present location both in 1902 and 1912. Russell was not found to be listed on the tax records until 1903. By 1911, he is no longer listed as paying taxes in Forest Grove and it is possible that by this time one of this children held title to the property. According to Mrs. Eric Waldorf, the Russells had one daughter who attended Pacific University.

An article in the September 15, 1901 issue of the //Forest Grove Press// states that C.V. B. Russell was a shoe dealer on Main Street in Forest Grove for 16 years. He was formerly a printer and an expert at hand-set type. He first worked on the __Weekly Union__ newspaper in 1857. Upon leaving that job, he worked on different papers in several Midwestern states. In 1869, prior to moving to Forest Grove, he published his own paper, the Independent Monthly, in Glenwood, Iowa.

The Russell home is an elaborate example of stick style architecture. It has retained its integrity and is in excellent condition. The home is associated with C.V.B. Russell, a member of the Forest Grove business community. Additional research is needed to shed more light on the Russell family. This residence is an impressive architectural resource in the city of Forest Grove, worthy of preservation and further investigation."

See also, Harry and Flora Belle Crosley House, by City of Forest Grove.