Last updated: August 8, 2020
Place
G. M. and Kate Grainger House
Photo taken by Carol Highsmith, courtesy Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2018698085/
Quick Facts
Location:
35 Granite St. Ashland, OR
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
The G. M. and Kate Grainger House is an eclectic style residence with Italianate, Stick, and Eastlake elements built in 1890 for G. M. and Kate Grainger. Mr. Grainger was a prominent Ashland mayor who presided over the city government during construction of Ashland's City Hall in 1891. Designed by local builder W. J. Schmidt, the residence embodies distinct characteristics of these styles--steeped, hipped roofs, a two-story projecting bay, stick paneling under and above windows, curved brackets, and perforated panel and bargeboards. Of approximately 500 19th-century houses in Ashland's local and National Register historic districts, the Grainger House is one of the best representatives of this style. When the Graingers' purchased the house in the early spring of 1890 the Ashland Daily Tidings reported: "Mr. G. M. Grainger, who had purchased the Fountain property on the corner of Granite and High Street will make a great improvement in the place beginning as soon as he obtains title and possession. He will build a new front addition to the house and will have one of the neatest and prettiest residences in town."
On its completion in 1890, the building was a modified L-shaped volume, two stories in height on a high basement. A verandah with rounded corner filling the southwest angle was offset by the two-story polygonal bay on the principle façade. This configuration was later enlarged by two single-story rear additions, the first in 1940. The latest addition, a garage at right angles to the long axis of the house, was built in 1989. While these additions are relatively extensive in area, they are decidedly subordinate to the original 1890 home. During Grainger's mayoral terms many improvements were made to the city-sidewalks, streetlights, and additions to the city park. After he left office, the family continued to be active in city affairs. When their daughter was married in 1903, the ceremony took place at the bay window in the front parlor. During their tenancy in the house, the Graingers occasionally boarded individuals or small families to supplement their income, a tradition continuing today at the many Ashland bed and breakfast establishments catering to theater patrons.
The G. M. and Kate Grainger House, located at 35 Granite St., is a private residence that is not open to the public.
Discover more Oregon history by visiting the Ashland, OR travel itinerary.