Charles and Fae Olson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charles and Fae Olson House
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The Olson House in 2015
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 Location in Gresham OR
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| Location | 765 SW Walters Road Gresham, Oregon |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) (approx.) |
| Built | 1946 (begun) 1957 (finished) |
| Built by | Charles Olson |
| Architect | Charles Olson |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000921 |
| Added to NRHP | September 7, 2007 |
The Charles and Fae Olson House is a special historic home located in Gresham, Oregon, United States. It was designed and built by Charles Olson himself, who was not a professional architect. He created this house as his "dream house" after serving in World War II. Its unique modern style shows how people wanted to try new things after the war.
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A Dream House Built by Hand
Charles Olson started building his dream house in 1946. He finished it in 1957. He and his wife, Fae, planned the house while he was serving in the Pacific during World War II. They wrote letters to each other, sharing ideas. Charles got many ideas from books and magazines he read during the war.
Building Without Limits
The Olsons decided to build the house themselves. This meant they did not need to get a loan from a bank or the government. Loans often required people to build standard houses, like those in big housing developments. By doing the work themselves, the Olsons could build exactly what they wanted. They could also change their plans easily if they ran into problems, like not being able to find certain building materials. This was common right after the war.
Modern Style After the War
The Charles and Fae Olson House has a modern design. This style was popular after World War II. Many people returning from the war wanted new and different things. They wanted to break away from old traditions. The Olson House shows this spirit of new beginnings and fresh ideas. It stands out because it was designed and built by its owners, not by a professional architect or a large construction company.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique story and design, the Charles and Fae Olson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it is recognized as an important part of history in Oregon.
