Pittock Mansion and Klickitat Street

Jill's Journal: At this point in our trip, we’ve been to a lot of historic homes. I love them, but since we’ve been to so many, I now take the girls only to really major ones (like Portland’s Pittock Mansion, shown here). Today I realized my love of historic homes is carrying over to them.

We did a self-guided tour of the Pittock Mansion and its magnificent three-floor marble staircase today. The 16,000 square feet of luxury that makes up the home rises high in the West Hills (nearly 1,000 feet, to be exact) above the Portland skyline. It’s a beautiful home. This is the first time in a while we’ve been in a “grown-up” touristy place with other little kids around and the difference between those on vacation and us was night and day. Our kids instinctively know they aren’t to touch a thing and even ask permission before using a handrail on stairs (we’ve been in historic homes where it’s requested one doesn’t touch the antique handrails). They can identify dumbwaiters, busts, harps, etc. They love to “ooh and aah” over the little details. As long as I don’t pause to read all the signs and keep them moving at a decent pace, they are completely engaged and enjoying every minute. It’s great fun. They make wonderful and respectful little tourists! I’m very proud of them. (Other kids simply don’t know better yet; ours are just seasoned professionals at this!)

Look at that view of downtown Portland! This home is “a century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to bustling city; it’s an architectural wonder. With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges, and mountaintops – and 23 storied rooms teeming with treasures – no other place in town offers a more breathtaking view and more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past.” –Portland Parks and Recreation

The girls particularly loved all the circular rooms in this home.

Henry and Georgiana Pittock lived here. Both traveled into Oregon territory at young ages in the early 1850s (it would be 1859 before Oregon would become a state). He owned The Oregonian newspaper and was a member of the first party credited with climbing Mount Hood. She was a passionate gardener, setting up a pavilion on her front lawn in 1888 and inviting neighbors to bring their finest roses to display. Over the years, that rose exhibition grew into Portland’s renowned Rose Festival (Portland is now nicknamed Rose City). It wasn’t until the Pittocks were in their twilight years that they commissioned, built, and moved into this mansion; it was completed in 1914. The last family member moved out in 1958 and the City of Portland purchased it a few years later.

The shower in the master bathroom certainly made an impression. “…Horizontal pipes allow for a needle-like spray from all sides. A ‘shampoo’ spray allows water to cascade from above while a ‘bidet’ fountain rises from the floor of the shower. Two mid-height shower heads, located on opposite sides, were operated by a handle labeled ‘liver spray.’ Finally, lower down on the central pipe, is a spout for gauging temperature labeled ‘test.’ It releases water on one’s toe first before opening the master valve.”

In addition to the “modern” shower in this 1914 mansion, there was an intercom system throughout the house, a central vacuum system, a walk-in refrigerator, and an elevator which served all four floors. However, I think what endures most isn’t all the high-tech features for the time, but the ambiance. Who wouldn’t want to fling open their windows to this every morning?

The girls were rewarded for their good behavior doing a “grown-up thing” by a much-anticipated stop at Klickitat Street. This street is the fictional home of the characters Ramona, Beezus, and Henry in the Beverly Cleary children’s novels. Cleary actually grew up nearby and once said she loved this street name because it reminded her of “the sound of knitting needles.”

Incidentally, the homes on Klickitat Street and in the surrounding area are the most adorable homes I have ever seen anywhere. They’re not overly big or fancy, but they’re part whimsical and part beautiful and just wonderful. As we drove around, it was easy to imagine the beloved characters from the books stepping right out of any of the front doors.

The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park is nearby. The girls loved getting to see Ramona, Henry, and Ribsy in person. (Madelyn loves crazy poses for pictures lately; I took probably 10 shots right here trying to get her to stand up straight…no can do! Each pose got crazier than the next. I think they're cute, but I suspect she’ll cringe at these someday, silly girl.)

Erika is our little lady. No crazy poses from her. :)