Orlando Humason House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Orlando Humason House
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The Humason House in 2008
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 Location in The Dalles OR
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| Location | 908 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon |
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| Area | 0.11 acres (0.045 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000809 |
| Added to NRHP | June 21, 1991 |
The Orlando Humason House is a special old house in The Dalles, Oregon, United States. It was built in 1860 and is known for its unique Gothic Revival architecture style. A very important person named Orlando Humason lived here from the time it was built until he passed away in 1875. He was often called the "Father of Wasco County" because he helped create it.
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The Orlando Humason House
This house is important because it belonged to Orlando Humason, a key figure in Oregon's early history. It's also one of the few houses in The Dalles built in the Gothic Revival style. This style was popular a long time ago and makes the house look a bit like a small castle or a fancy old church.
Who Was Orlando Humason?
Orlando Humason was born in Ohio in 1828. He was a very busy and successful person. Before he settled in The Dalles, he worked in many different jobs. He was a lawyer, someone who looked for gold (a prospector), a farmer, and even a journalist who wrote for newspapers.
When he moved to The Dalles, he became a successful merchant, which means he owned a business that sold goods. He also worked in river transport, helping to move things along the Columbia River.
Humason's Important Work
Orlando Humason was also a big part of Oregon's government. He represented different areas, first Oregon City and then The Dalles, in the state's early government meetings. These were called the territorial and state legislatures.
He helped create important laws. For example, he introduced bills (ideas for new laws) that led to the creation of Wasco County, Multnomah County, and the city of The Dalles itself. He also strongly supported a plan to build a canal around the Cascades Rapids. This canal would have helped ships travel further up the Columbia River to The Dalles, but it wasn't built during his lifetime.
Besides his work in the legislature, Humason also served as the mayor of The Dalles. He was also a judge for Wasco County.
The House's Style
The Orlando Humason House is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture. This style became popular in the 1800s. It often includes pointed arches, steep roofs, and decorative trim that looks like lace or carvings. These features make the house look very grand and unique, almost like a miniature version of a medieval building. It stands out because not many other houses in The Dalles were built in this particular style.
A Historic Landmark
After Orlando Humason passed away, the house was moved to its current spot sometime between 1875 and 1908. It has been carefully preserved because of its history and its special architectural style.
Because of its importance, the Orlando Humason House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it is recognized as a significant historical building that should be protected and remembered.
