William D. Fenton House
Encyclopedia
The William D. Fenton House in southeast Portland
in the U.S. state
of Oregon
is a 2.5-story, single-family dwelling listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Built in the Queen Anne
style in 1892, it was added to the register in 1979.
Notable features of the asymmetrical house include many porches and projections, intricate decorative elements, variegated siding, a wrap-around veranda, a flare-top chimney, and a stained-glass
side door. Much of the original interior woodwork, including the wainscoting
and trim, is intact. The parlor and the master bedroom have elaborate fireplaces.
Fenton (1853–1925), for whom the house was built, was a prominent lawyer and the general counsel for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Oregon. In 1865, at age 12, he moved by wagon train
from Missouri
to Portland with his family. After his admission to the Oregon bar in 1875, he was elected to the state legislature as a Democrat
. He moved to Portland in 1885, where he worked for the railroad and other corporations. Fenton, one of the founders of the Oregon Historical Society
, helped set up the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
in Portland in 1905. Fenton Hall, which housed the University of Oregon School of Law
from 1937 through 1970, was renamed for him in 1938.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
is a 2.5-story, single-family dwelling listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Built in the Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
style in 1892, it was added to the register in 1979.
Notable features of the asymmetrical house include many porches and projections, intricate decorative elements, variegated siding, a wrap-around veranda, a flare-top chimney, and a stained-glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
side door. Much of the original interior woodwork, including the wainscoting
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
and trim, is intact. The parlor and the master bedroom have elaborate fireplaces.
Fenton (1853–1925), for whom the house was built, was a prominent lawyer and the general counsel for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Oregon. In 1865, at age 12, he moved by wagon train
Wagon train
A wagon train is a group of wagons traveling together. In the American West, individuals traveling across the plains in covered wagons banded together for mutual assistance, as is reflected in numerous films and television programs about the region, such as Audie Murphy's Tumbleweed and Ward Bond...
from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
to Portland with his family. After his admission to the Oregon bar in 1875, he was elected to the state legislature as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He moved to Portland in 1885, where he worked for the railroad and other corporations. Fenton, one of the founders of the Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country, within the broader context of U.S. history. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character...
, helped set up the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, commonly also known as the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and officially known as the Lewis and Clark Centennial American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, was a worldwide exposition held in Portland, Oregon, United States in 1905 to celebrate the...
in Portland in 1905. Fenton Hall, which housed the University of Oregon School of Law
University of Oregon School of Law
The University of Oregon School of Law is a public law school in the U.S. state of Oregon. Housed in the Knight Law Center, it is Oregon's only state funded law school. The school, founded in 1884, is located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, on the corner of 15th and Agate streets,...
from 1937 through 1970, was renamed for him in 1938.