Dr.+George+and+Mrs.+Adeline+Rogers

=**Rogers Park (formerly Rogers Home)**=

Research

 * 1700 block Elm St - Rogers Park, (2002) Historic Landmarks Board, City of Forest Grove
 * Washington County Heritage Online Photos: Rogers Home
 * ===EGS Collection===

Here is the transcription of a student research paper, c.1960s, on the Rogers' history, family, and eventually the land that they donated to the city as a park.

" A tourist passing through Forest Grove usually begins to wonder, who were the Rogers? This question arises from driving through the heart of the uptown business center where he sees a huge flashing sign over the Rogers City library. Leaving town by way of East bound 19th Avenue, he again notices a large sign directing him to the city's wooded play area in the center of the residential area—Roger’s City Park. At that time he might begin to wonder why this town got the title of Forest Grove. It could easily have been named after one of the founding fathers, following suit of the nearby urban centers, like Gaston, Gales Creek, Cornelius, Dilley, Verboort, or Roy. Just who were the Rogers? They must have been influential leaders to have their names displayed throughout the town.

Interested in the history of my community, I decided to choose a topic of seemingly rightful significance. Since we were to write lengthy research papers, I decided I would choose one of relative ease. I was sure there would be an over-abundance of material so this would prove to be a comparatively easy assignment. Woe is me!

Upon beginning my subject I was temporarily dismayed to learn I could find no information whatsoever on the Rogers family. It is rather disheartening to bravely tackle and interesting topic only to find all you can encounter is one empty dead-end after another. Nobody knew anything of the family. It was rather amusing to pursue such an apparently obvious case only to have no leads. The situation soon began to take a rather ironic twist. Everywhere I turned I faced the name Rogers, but nobody had the slightest idea as to who they might have been.

I began my arduous search for fragments of knowledge that would lead to the mystery identity of the Rogers family. Somewhat timid at first, I was reluctant to approach strangers with questions about the forgotten past. After finding through my visits that everyone wished to be of the utmost service, I became braver and started following everyone's helpful leads. Now I was sure I would be able to uncover the remnants of the former glories. The old timers loved to reminisce about the bygone days but were unable to offer any specific information as to the Rogers. Many remembered visiting the home as children or had heard of the illustrious couple from parents, but time had again blurred the detailed memories of the past.

After speaking to many native Forest Grove pioneers, I was very fortunate to tumble upon the name of Mrs. Cicero Smith as the owner of a magnificent old biographical history of prominent Oregon citizens residing near Portland. Having been working at this task of learning of our bygone days, I was overjoyed at the thought of finding any written material concerning the pioneer gentleman. Now it was my privilege to learn the true biography of Dr. Rogers and to disperse the many longstanding vague rumors.

Among the men who visited foreign lands, Dr. George Oscar Rogers attained eminence as a representative of his profession and as a connoisseur of porcelains. His broad cultural and pleasing personality made him a favorite with him many contacts, not only among the distinguished citizens of his own country, but also among many friends in foreign lands.

Dr. Ge. O. Rogers was born in Bridgton, Maine, during 1832, to a New England farm couple. Reared in his native town, and receiving his education at Bridgton Academy, he then prepared himself for the dentistry at the Philadelphia Dental Collage. Dr. Rogers practiced in Lancaster, New Hampshire, until 1873 when his health failed. After deciding that a change of climate would be beneficial, he and his family sailed from San Francisco, on the steamship //Great Republic// to establish their home in Hong Kong.

By his accurate understanding of the science of dentistry, his great skill in handling the many delicate instruments used in his profession, and by his courteous and pleasant manner, he soon gained an extensive clientele which encompassed nearly all of the dental work of the city. Dr. Rogers’ superior skill brought him the greatest success, and he not only became a man of the very finest repute in the profession, but also won high financial returns.

During his residence in the Orient, he took the greatest interest in studying the people, their customs and habits, and while in Hong Kong, he gathered a collection of old porcelain valued at $30,000, which is now a permanent exhibit in the Boston Art Museum, under the name 'Rogers Collection.'

In 1884, the Rogers returned to their native country, settling this time in Dorchester, Massachusetts, spending their winters in Florida. Then they moved to Apam, which is a small town located fifty miles from Mexico City.

In 1888, they came up to Oregon, where they resided in Hillsboro for three years, and then moved to Forest Grove. It was here they established what was undoubtedly the finest home in Washington County. The large and tasteful residence stood in the midst of a natural grove of giant oaks. The lovely landscaped home site was four acres, and it was here Dr. Rogers spent his final days. Dr. George Oscar Rogers passed away Janurary 2, 1900, at the ate of sixty-eight, an honored and respected gentleman.

Dr. Rogers, by repute, was one of the most learned and cultured men who ever made his home in Oregon, a remarkable man with artistic, optimistic, conversational, and studious qualities. For many years he made a study of the phenomena of nature, especially the winds and tides. As a resident in China, he devoted a great deal of attention to the study of typhoons, and advanced the first theory that there were electric and well as cyclonic storms. The result of his studies in this direction proved of distinct benefit to science. Possibly the greatest compliment paid to Dr. Rogers was that 'his was a nature that shed around it much of the sunshine of life.'

After Dr. Rogers death, Mrs. Adeline Fiske Rogers continued to live in her lovely residence. The home was a large, three-story mansion, with intricate gingerbread trimming in the old style. It stood gracefully radiating charm throughout the old neighborhood. The style of the house lent itself to the characteristic type of an exterior with shutters on the white background. A balcony graced the front of the lower roof with railing to serve as a work of beauty. Mrs. Rogers was often seen sitting serenely on the front porch reading or peacefully meditating.

The pride of Washington County and a showplace on which to gaze, it contained fourteen huge rooms. Entering the hallway, one was amazed to find the fourteen foot height of the ceilings. Twinkling chandeliers hovered over the awestruck visitor. The winding staircase beckoned tiny tots to slide down the gleaming banister. To the left of the doorway one entered the magnificent living room where one of the mansions four giant fireplaces stood. Many visitors were also quite impressed by the tall towering windows which let in the soft warm sunlight. Most guests instantly fell in love with the "Red Room," which took its name from the brilliant scarlet embossed walls where the doctor's treasures were reverently kept.

The carpeted ascent led to the uppermost parts of the stately mansion. Bedrooms cozy with the warmth from the glowing fireplaces seemed to radiate a feeling of harmony in the hospitable second floor. To the rear of the third level there dwelt a ballroom similar to those from storybook tales where many a couple spent an enchanted evening.

Guests were even more impressed by the exquisite Oriental furnishings decorating the home. Mrs. Rogers had brought back the best of the Chinese culture. Tapestries, vases, chests, rugs, teakwood furniture, statues, carvings, and cabinets filled with lovely porcelains graced the mansion. All were far more interested in her lovely foreign possessions.

One of her most treasured prizes was an embroidery that had once belonged to the Chinese Empress. It is a Chinese tradition that upon the death of any member of the royal family, all their personal clothing would be immediately destroyed. Some wise servants realized this could develop into a rewarding venture. So upon the Empress's death, they quickly gathered up her belongings and hurried to sell them to wealthy tourists. The Rogers happened to be in China during the Imperial regime and were the wealthy tourists who purchased the royal embroideries.

Mrs. Rogers served as an interesting hostess with a very charming personality. Dignified and cultured, she had many friends and loved to entertain, as well as guests enjoyed attending her functions.

Located in the center of an oak grove, the Rogers mansion was beautifully landscaped with many shrubs and hundreds of flowers. A stylish stable nestled beneath the towering trees. Here the coachman, gardener, and Cody lived. This beautiful stable housed, Cody, a gallant jet-black stallion. The children would come for blocks around to watch the huge horse and pretend they were gazing at Black Beauty. If the children were good, Mrs. Rogers would let them pet his glossy coat and maybe feed him a bite of an apple.

The Rogers estate was also a popular place for the privileged children owning skates to come for a spin down her sidewalk area. This was quite a treat for all, as hers was the first home in town with a paved walk. Many I interviewed remembered slipping, sliding and sometimes skating down the walk, and calling to their elderly friend, who enjoyed watching the delighted children at play.

Many adults passing by were startled to find the prominent Mrs. Rogers out in the yard on her hands and knees spading around her rose bushes or carefully planting another variety of her treasured flowers. She spent many of her most pleasant hours working outdoors in that lovely landscaped yard. She scattered nearly every conceivable variety of wildflower among the towering oaks. They grew wild everywhere, transforming the grove into an enchanted fairyland meadow.

Mrs. Rogers enjoyed spending her time outdoors doing the chores and was seen working in her beloved garden until just weeks before her death, when she was believed to be nearly ninety. The children cut through the estate to get to school on time or to just dawdle in the cool, wooded area. She told them they could pick the wild flowers to take home to their mothers, but they weren't to step on them.

Upon Mrs. Rogers' death in 1922, her entire estate went to her only son, Anson Fiske Rogers, who managed a bookstore in Spokane, Washington. He disposed of the furniture, and since he lived so far away and therefore was not interested in the property, he lost it through taxes.

There were many debts against the property, and one reliable source estimated there were back payments and charges against the property amounting to nearly twenty thousand dollars. Young Rogers just locked the place up, and taxes mounted up to cause the county to claim the property for back taxes.

Mrs. Rogers had been very active in both the Christian Science Church and also the Forest Grove Women's Club. In her will she left large sums of money to both these groups. It is reported she left vast sums to the church, which greatly aided the development of the present structure. The Women's Club still remembers her and her generous contribution.

Mrs. Rogers also established the Rogers City Library and Park. On the city records in the trust deeds in the files of the city hall, it states that she, a widow, wanted to give the city of Forest Grove a raiding room and city park. Parts of a Trust Deed dated June 10, 1907, on the Record of Ordinances contained the following points in the passage:


 * 1) 'That the said city of Forest Grove, Oregon, shall from this on support and maintain the public library now in the said city which is now kept as the Reading Room in the corner of First Avenue North and College Avenue.
 * 2) Said park and library shall be known as the 'Adeline F. Rogers' public park and library.
 * 3) That in case the said city shall fail to maintain the contract or any position thereof the said city and the improvements shall revert to the heirs or assigns of the said party of the first part.'

The lovely old home of the past stood miserable and lonely. Weeds strangled the flowers, infesting the once magnificent lawn. Shrubs grew to enormous heights blotting out the windows while creeping up the walls. Paint began to peel off the house revealing a dirty dull finish. The shutters drooped dejectedly, sagging, giving an utterly hopeless air to the deserted dwelling. Hoodlums shattered the windows and broke the gingerbread trim away. The front steps and porch, once so inviting, began to crumple away. The once fine mansion stood rotting away in decay.

Children heard blood-curdling tales about the gloomy old deserted house. The oaks loomed darkly over the vacant residence. Tots began to imagine that the dark would bring owls, bats, ghosts, and witches swooping down upon them. Terrified youngsters dash past the block, fearful of only the empty space that housed the venerable past. Occasionally, a courageous lad would brave the grounds, desirous of gaining recognition and fulfilling a dare.

Gone was the cheerful lady quietly rocking or working among her flowers. Gone was the elegance of the treasured home site. Gone were the delighted squeals of children happily playing in the yard or skating on the spacious sidewalks. In their places, stood a haunted house, an object of fear to youth.

After standing vacant for ten years, the house finally attracted the attention of the Joe Morleys in 1932. This energetic middle-aged couple moved in with their young family to begin to put some life back into the 'Showplace of the County.' The long lonely house once again served as a happy home to a family that loved it. The shutters were propped up to again stand at attention. Hours spent in the yard made it another lovely spacious lawn. Children once more began to play on the grounds; but this time, the Morley youngsters.

Eight years after moving to the Rogers house, the Morleys decided to change to a new location on the other side of town. A net lot was selected on 'C' Street off Pacific, and the lumber from the 'Pride of the County' was to construct the new home. Slowly construction crows dismantled the house and sent the lumber over to the new site. The lovely white maple floors and the chestnut stair rails were used in the new home. The only remains were the cement stairs and walks leading to the spot where the house once stood.

Forest Grove Union High School's former address was 17th and Elm, just opposite from the empty block. Football, baseball, and track stars played under the shade of the oak trees on the huge vacant lot on the corner. At this time, there was much discussion concerning the possibility of the city's purchasing the land for the purpose of constructing a much needed athletic field. Interest died down and the idea perished, while students still wandered through the woods.

During World War II, there was a great shortage of housing, and as a result, many prefabricated houses sprang up throughout the country. even increased housing developments did not fulfill the demand, so a government trailer park was set up in Rogers grove in 1943...

More transcription to come!

Dr. Gilbert, Pacific University and Forest Grove: A Look Into the Past

"In 1948 the University acquired a number of Public Housing Authority Buildings from the Government, and moved them to the campus to serve as apartments for returning veterans and their families. The buildings were set up on the far northeast corner of the campus, as shown in this areal view. The athletic field in the upper right corner, the tennis courts upper top, and Herrick hall in the left edge of the photo help to locate the buildings. Cedar Street cuts diagonally across the lower right corner of the picture. the buildings came from a government camp at Vancouver, Washington. They were later called the University Apartments. The buildings were removed during 1962-65. Photo 32]"