Sellwood’s Trolley Carmen and a Mystery

 

Carmen of the Interurban Train Line, Sellwood History Committee

I’ve seen the photo of these trolley carmen a hundred times!

Dana Beck, postal worker and member of the Sellwood History Committee, used it in the 2009 SMILE calender he put together. Dana has had it posted at the Sellwood Branch Post Office.  

The men work for the Interurban Train Line and, according to Dana’s research, “the car went all the way to Cazadero (Estacada), where the Clackamas River produced some of the electricity that powered the cars. It was also the site of a popular park and resort hotel,” which, while still located in Estacada got great reviews for the view, but not so good for the food, on Urban Spoon.

Every time I see the photo, I wonder. 

 I wonder if one of the five men pictured could possibly have been my grandfather. He was a carman for the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company. He lived in Sellwood a few blocks from the Car Barns.

My father was born in 1909 while his parents lived on SE Lexington Street in Sellwood.  By 1911 his parents were divorced. Our family research has placed his father living in Sellwood, after the divorce, in a rooming house on SE 11th Avenue.  I’ve driven by, the house is still there.  After the mention in the Polk Directory he disapears. 

Grandparents at Council Crest (Family photo)

I look at the only photo we have of him, along with my grandmother, which was taken at Council Crest on the day of their engagement. 

And, I wonder. 

I wonder if a facial recognition program would be able to see if there are any of the men’s features that are similar to the features of my grandfather, or my father. I wonder if any of these men knew John Douglas Maxwell, or where he went when he disappeared from public records.

I really can’t see a similarity between the men in the two photos.  Yet, I wonder: if you put a cap on him, or add a mustache, would he look like the man second from the right? Don’t the ears look a little similar?

They would have taken a trolley to Council Crest.  Did he ride for free? or have a pass for them both? Did they, by chance, ride on one of the two cars that survived the dismantling of Portland’s car system, 503 or 506?

I wonder if he’d be glad that trolleys are returning to Portland, and eventually to Sellwood.  Or would he be indifferent now,  as he seemed to be to the child he fathered then?

History Note:  “The City & Suburban Railway of 1891 was not Portland’s first interurban but it was the first to consolidate many of the smaller lines that had sprung up in the city dating back to Portland Street Railway of 1872. In 1904 the Portland Consolidated Railway came into existence when the Portland Railway and City & Suburban merged, the city’s largest two interurbans up to that time. A year later the line became known as the Portland Railway and by 1906 this company had merged with the Oregon Water Power & Railway to form the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company, the last remaining interurban in the city. Over the subsequent years this system was known by several different names; the Mount Hood Railway & Power Company (1911); Portland Electric Power Company (1924); Portland Traction Company; and lastly the Portland Railroad & Terminal Division (1946). Streetcar service survived until 1950 when it was abandoned in favor of buses.” (from the American Rails website)

For more information on Dana Beck’s mission to preserve Sellwood and local history through photographs see the article published in the Sellwood Bee, July ’07 and updated October ’09.

Sellwood History Committee photo used with permission.

 

Speechless Sunday: Skeletons in a Field, Highway 26

Skeletons in a Field

 

And The Lender Made House Calls

There I was, sitting at the dining room table in my apartment, with knots in my stomach and clenched fists. It was 1995 and I was about to buy my first house. The loan agent was there with me.  Do they still make house calls? He was calm, cool, collected. I was anything but.

The questions are so familiar to me now, and so nerve-wracking then.   Would I qualify? What did my credit report reveal?  Would I be substantial enough? Would the lender think a $6000 down payment was enough?  It was almost all I had saved. I knew I would need something after I bought.  I did know that there are always things that have to be done, small repairs and light bulbs and curtains to buy.

Oh, the unexpected: I knew I had to be prepared for the unexpected cost that always turned up.  Not that I had any idea what the unexpected might be!

It wasn’t that I hadn’t owned a house before.  I had.  But I had been married then, it was his income that had counted, that had qualified for the loan.  I was on my own now, had been divorced for a number of years, living in a wholly different environment. I’d moved from Minnesota, and was living in the District of Columbia. I didn’t have the long banking history I’d had in the Twin Cities.

I loved living in DC.  When I first moved there I stayed with my sister-in-law in Maryland, spent weekends going into the various neighborhoods of the District: Dupont Circle, the Hill, Adams Morgan, Foggy Bottom. I knew I wanted to live in the city, suburban life was not for me.

My DC Home

In a few months I moved into a co-op that a friend owned near Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park just off 16^th. It was incredibly convenient to everything and walkable to every amenity I could imagine. I’d found my neighborhood.

After five years of work, getting established, building my business and saving, I was ready.  And anxious.  As an organization development consultant, I didn’t get W2′s at the end of the year.  I got a stack of 1099′s that reported my income. I had tax returns, schedule C’s and always filed the long form.  Income was a variable, no fixed and guaranteed amount each month. My big question was would ‘they’ even let me have a mortgage?

The mortgage guy - to this day I don’t know if he was a banker, a broker, a loan officer – was reassuring. “You have great credit, you have savings, you have two years of tax returns; you’ll be fine.”

I was fine. I received a conventional, conforming 30 year fixed loan and bought my first house!

 

Honoring Dr. King at the Oregon Zoo: Free Admission & Donations

On January 17th, the Oregon Zoo will offer free admission in celebration of the spirit of public service associated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Since 1994 when Congress designated the MLK, Jr. Holiday as a national day of service, the Corporation for National and Community Service has led the effort to move communities closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

Zoo visitors on the 17th are encouraged to bring food or gently-used clothing donations to benefit Snow Cap and Transition Projects.  Although these donations are not required for entrance, donation barrels will be available at the entrance.

SnowCap, a community action program, fed nearly 11,000 people in December as a result of the high unemployment which has depleted family resources for many.  Transition Projects,  provides basic needs as people move from being homeless to housing and assists more than 9000 people each year.

Enjoy the Zoo, and help others at the same time!  Now that’s a deal!

 

Home Ownership: Near Term Reluctance & Long Term Aspirations

A study by Fannie Mae, released in December, has some information I found interesting. The 2010 Own-Rent Study found that most Americans (51%), “strongly aspire to own a home and maintain homeownership.”  This includes current homeowners as well as persons who are renting.

House in Sellwood

51% of those interviewed said that the housing crisis has “not affected their overall willingness to buy a home.”   The caveat though is that the percent of Americans who will rent their next home is 33%, up from 30% in January of 2010.  This near term reluctance is also reflected in current renters, of whom 59% said they would rent their next home, as opposed to 54% in January of 2010.

The financial benefits of owning a home are evidenced by the finding that 89% of current homeowners, and  44% of current renters believe they “would be better off owning their homes given their current financial situations.”

Sadly, approximately 50% of renters who said they planned to own in the future may not have enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median priced home.

As you might expect, life situations strongly influence the desire, and ability to purchase a home.   Traditional married couples, in the past more likely to own, are a shrinking demographic.  Children also influence the desire to own and there are fewer families with children. Single mothers with children often rent because of financial constraints.  Younger people have been particularly impacted by the housing crisis.  For individuals between the ages of 25 to 29, home ownership has declined 11%. Persons between the ages of 65 to 74 are 3.5 times more likely to own than individuals under 25.

The study, “ based on extensive primary research with homeowners and renters (including focus groups and a quantitative survey), U.S. Census Bureau data, and micro- and macro- economic parameters, and explores the factors influencing consumers’ decisions to buy or rent a home,” is available on line, as is the press release which summarizes the findings.

 

Moreland House — A new favorite in an old location!

Chalkboard Memu

Springwater Grill used to be a favorite spot to stop and have happy hour, invite a client for a quick lunch, or meet a friend for a casual meal.  The owner sold and closed a few months ago, and a new restaurant and bar, Moreland House, has opened in the location.

Just open since Friday, and with the Grand Opening not planned until Friday a week, a colleague and I stopped in today to check it out.  Votes: a new favorite!

Curtained Ambience

There’s a new layout in the familiar floor plan.  It’s much more open and the raised landing has been treated with curtains at the corners, resulting in a feeling of intimacy not far from the bar.

Along the walls are a set of “Windows” with candle like light behind them which add a sense of hominess and distant vistas, without being able to see anything in particular.  I liked the feel.

Wine

While the wine list currently is limited, their shipment arrives this Friday, we did have a nice Chardonnay by A to Z Winery.  Also sampled their Coconut Prawns and the Cheese Drizzled French Fries.  Both are a great success. 

Will definitely go back and check out the Buffalo Sliders, although Nick, the owner says that those sliders may shift to Elk in the coming weeks!  Didn’t have a chance to check out the entire menu, but many of the dishes look interesting – in a good way! 

There was a wide variety of options including a couple of halibut choices,  steak, chowder, buffalo chili,salads and several appetizer options that look good.

Moreland House Bar

 

As much as possible the owner says, they plan to use local products on the menu and are looking forward to becoming the new favorite in the Sellwood Moreland neighborhood.

Moreland House is located at

6716 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland OR 97202

 

First Time Buyers — Funds Have Returned to the Oregon Bond Program!

The Oregon State Residential Loan Program is newly funded and active again.

House in Sellwood

The Oregon State Bond Program has two different ways to increase home buying power:

the CashAdvantage and RateAdvantage home loans.

Qualified buyers may choose the CashAdvantage option, which offers a low fixed interest on their home loan as well as cash assistance equal to 3% of their loan amount.  Borrowers who choose the RateAdvantage option receive the lowest possible fixed rate, which recently was 3.875%.

Program funds may be used to buy eligible housing anywhere in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington Counties. Only Oregon residents or potential residents are eligible.

Both programs are for First Time Buyers only.  Other eligibility requirements apply, including income and purchase price limits.

The Homeownership Opportnities Website Northwest (HOWNW) site was created as a public service by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® with the assistance of other community-based organizations. In addition to information on loan assistance programs, the site provides education about the home buying process, consumer information and foreclosure and rescue scams.

 

Oregon’s Mortgage Assistance Program Deadline is 14 Jan 2011

If you are unemployed or underemployed, your income has decreased and you are financially distressed –  there is a program that may be able to help.

The Mortgage Assistance Program (MPA) has been funded with $100 million dollars and will help approximately 5000 home owners.

Applicants must apply on line at Oregon Home Owner Help  no later than 14 January 2011.  They then must schdule an appointment with an intake advisor who will review the application and required paperwork. Documents will be submitted to the State of Oregon for a random drawing to select the program participants.  There is a brief on line eligibility test that will help you determine if you are eligible for the program.

The program will pay the participants’ mortgages for up to one year, or $20,000 which ever comes first. The funds being used are part of the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI).

If you , a friend or family member is currently in a situation where MPA may help, please act on this information.  You or they, may be one who receives the assistance.

 

Thinking About Retiring? 10 Affordable Cities

According to a recent study by Forbes Magazine, three of the most affordable cities are in Texas: San Antonio, Houston and Austin.   The study evaluated communities with populations of 100,000 or more.  It evaluated the cost of living, the job market and the average cost of groceries, health care and transportation.   The study was published before today’s NY Times editorial by Paul Krugman, The Texas Omen which relates that Texas is facing enormous deficits.  That of course could change the affordability indexes of the state and those cities as taxes and other costs will more than likely rise..

Other cities that made the top ten list include Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Rochester NY, as well as Nashville,Louisville and Birmingham.

If you are considering retiring to these or another US city it’s a good idea to take a trip and check out the area.  You do want to make sure you like the area and the climate suits you, just  to mention a few of the considerations before making a move.  It’s also be a good idea to talk to a local realtor (r) while you are there.  They know the neighborhoods and the amenities, distances to downtown, shopping and libraries and are a great resource prior to your final decision to sell at home, and relocate. Call or email me before you travel, and I’ll introduce you to a thorough and reliable realtor where you plan to visit.

 

The Birds’ Christmas — The tree must come down

Free Trees!

As reluctant as I was to have a Christmas tree this year, I have thoroughly loved having one up and watching it sparkle as the light outside changes. Some of you know I was in process of getting ready to have a Bah Humbug holiday this year.

Until the day I saw the sign at the tree lot on the corner I hadn’t even planned to have a tree,  Even then, I only pulled over to take a quick photo to post on FaceBook. My thought was, “Maybe a few people will want to take advantage of this offer”, because the bright orange sign said: Free Trees.

After I posted, I had a huge blinding flash of the obvious, and said, out loud: “Well, why don’t I take one for myself?”  The father and son in the lot looked at me a bit strangely, but the universe did not give me a reason why not.

Noble Firs Waiting to Be Chosen

I picked out the sweetest, under five foot Noble Fir and shoved it in the back seat of the car, took it home, cut the bottom two inches off the trunk and stuck it in a bucket of water!  My dad would have been proud.

I sent out a quick email, invited a few friends to come over on Wednesday for a ‘tree-trimming’ party.  We had a great time.

My Free Tree All Done up for Christmas

The tree is gorgeous.

Now I find I’m reluctant to take it down. Since decorated, I’ve had the lights on each moment I’ve been home.  I’ve really enjoyed it, yet I need to take it down or there won’t be a birds Christmas.

I’m not sure where this tradition came from, other than my mother, and I’m not sure what has led me to resurrect it this year.  I haven’t made a Christmas for the birds since my own children were young.

In my growing up family the birds had their Christmas on Little Christmas. Our tree usually came down on Little Christmas, or Epiphany, January 6th.  Little Christmas was my mother’s phrase.  Years later I learned it is a common Irish name for Epiphany. Her grandfather and grandmother were both born in Ireland.  It makes sense that would be a way she described the day.

On Little Christmas, our tree went outside, in it’s stand, often with the rain still dripping from the branches.  Most people call the silver tinfoil, and it was tinfoil when I was a child, icicles.  As children in Oregon, it was rain, even when we lived in South Dakota and winter ice was more familiar than December rain. The tinfoil strips were impossible to completely remove.  We pulled off as much possible, impatient, and wrapped it around the package cardboard: saved for the next year.

When outside, the rain glinted in the sunlight, shifted with the wind. It was a Christmas tree, without lights and glass ornaments, but with sparkle and shine. And ornaments of bread.

Yes, bread.   With string and care, we tied bread pieces to the branches for the birds.  For the Birds Christmas.

Til Next Year

Today is the 6th of January, Little Christmas, and my tree is down.  The ornaments are back in their boxes, the lights encircled and placed in a plastic bag with the hopes that they won’t be too tangled for next year’s tree.

The tree, in its stand sits in the back yard. There is rain on the tree, not tinfoil rain, nowdays it’s some sort of lightweight, flimsy stuff, but it blows and shines: glinting in the weak light.

A Birds' Christmas Tree

There is bread, whole grain with seeds, a more substantial fare than the Wonder Bread we may have used in the past, twined around branches.

I hear  birds chirping.

They have their Christmas.