Troy Laundry Building (Portland, Oregon): Difference between revisions

	Troy Laundry Building
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	Portland Historic Landmark
	The Troy Laundry Building in 2013
Location	1025 SE Pine Street; Portland, Oregon
Coordinates	45°31′15″N 122°39′19″W / 45.520954°N 122.655196°W
Built	1913
Architect	Ellis F. Lawrence
Architectural style	Colonial Revival
MPS	Portland Oregon’s Eastside Historic and Architectural Resources, 1850-1938
NRHP reference No.	89000102
Added to NRHP	March 8, 1989

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The Troy Laundry Building, located at 1025 Southeast Pine St. in Portland, Oregon, was designed by Ellis F. Lawrence in the early 1900s. It is considered a mixture of Colonial, Egyptian, and Renaissance Revival architecture. It is known for its large windows, tall brick walls, and decorative brickwork.

Architecture

While the Troy Laundry Building is classified as Colonial Revival,^[2] it also features some characteristics of other architectural styles. The towering brickwork with the tall, double-layered windows and the decorative brickwork at even intervals underscore the mixed architectural styles. The building also has hints of Renaissance Revival architecture, which drew inspiration from a wide range of classical Italian styles.^[3]

Egyptian Revival architecture is also present in the building, as it also incorporates motifs and imagery from ancient Egypt.^[4] In addition, the building's high stone walls and angular wall faces and design attributes in the upper portions of the building are central to this style.

The building also has elements of Colonial Revival architecture, as shown by the angular brickwork, small stacked windows, and symmetrical features. Colonial Revival style is often associated with Centennial Exhibitions, which reawakened Americans to the architectural traditions of their colonial past.^[5]

History

The Troy Laundry Company

The Troy Laundry was established in 1889 by John F. Tait, who came to Portland, Oregon, from Scotland, where he had apprenticed in the laundry trade.^[6] His knowledge of the business and his well-respected management skills led to the establishment of a successful, long-running laundry business.

The original Troy Laundry building was located on the west side of the Willamette River, but was destroyed by a fire. After the fire, Mr. Tait moved the laundry into a building on the east side of town.^[7]

In 1892, he ran advertisements for the laundry, which showed how large his operation had become. Tait has set up additional locations throughout Portland, as well as Vancouver and Oregon City, where laundry could be picked up. Troy Laundry became one of the two largest laundries in the city and catered to both commercial and residential clients.^[8] Within 25 years of its establishment, Tait has over 150 people working for the laundry. A pioneer in the industry, Tait was one of the first people in the laundry industry to switch to an eight-hour work day.

By 1913, the laundry had outgrown its earlier building, and a new Troy Laundry building was built at the corner of 10th and Pine St. The new building incorporated a variety of innovative features, including a large employee dining room and lounge, its own electrical generators, new engines that ran 44 washers, and 22 extractors. The new building also had standard oil burner dryers, steam equipment, and drying systems, including a tumbler – technologies that were evolutionary for their time.

The Troy Laundry company eventually had a customer base that included 10,000 residential, industrial, and commercial clients, generating $600,000 in revenue per week.

Ellis F. Lawrence

Architect Ellis F. Lawrence was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1879.^[9] He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which was the first school of architecture in the United States. After graduating in 1902, Lawrence worked for three architectural firms: Codman and Despradelle; Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul; and John Calvin Stevens. Lawrence was greatly influenced by his experience working for Despradelle, as well as by his former studio instructor John Calvin Stevens.

In 1906, Lawrence headed west where he intended to open an office in San Francisco. He stopped in Portland along the way to visit a friend and former M.I.T graduate. Scrapping his plan to move to San Francisco, Lawrence decided to remain in Portland. He soon joined his friend E. B. McNaughton and engineer Henry Raymond in partnership in November 1906.^[10] Lawrence became the firm's chief designer. In February 1910, he left the firm to pursue independent work until 1913 when a former classmate and friend from M.I.T. William G. Holdford joined him in a new partnership. Ormond Bean and Fred Allyn eventually joined the team in 1928. Bean left the firm in 1933, and both Allyn and Holdford left in 1940.

Lawrence's first design in Portland was his home, which was located in the Irvington neighborhood of Northeast Portland. In 1914, he founded the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts in Eugene, Oregon. He organized the school around teaching methods that rejected the traditional philosophy. Lawrence believed in the integration of all the arts. He eventually became acquainted with many of the Portland's most influential businessmen, including John Tait. He also became friends with Frank Lloyd Wright and the Olmstead brothers.^[11]

References

^ Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2014), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved September 10, 2014.
^ United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)
^ Roth, Leland M., and Amanda C. R. Clark. American Architecture: a History. Routledge, 2019.
^ Roth, Leland
^ Roth, Leland
^ United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)
^ Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929 PDF.” Archives West: Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929, archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv35243.
^ Dept. of Interior
^ Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers
^ University of Oregon Libraries.” The University of Oregon Libraries, library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/lawrence
^ National Register of Historic Places; Multiple Property Documentation Form. The architecture of Ellis F. Lawrence. Federal Register No.: 1024-0018 (September 04, 1990)

[1] Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2014), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved September 10, 2014.

[2] United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)

[3] Roth, Leland M., and Amanda C. R. Clark. American Architecture: a History. Routledge, 2019.

[4] Roth, Leland

[5] Roth, Leland

[6] United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)

[7] Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929 PDF.” Archives West: Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929, archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv35243.

[8] Dept. of Interior

[9] Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers

[10] University of Oregon Libraries.” The University of Oregon Libraries, library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/lawrence

[11] National Register of Historic Places; Multiple Property Documentation Form. The architecture of Ellis F. Lawrence. Federal Register No.: 1024-0018 (September 04, 1990)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Historic building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
+{{Citation style|date=November 2020}}
 {{Infobox NRHP
-  | name = Troy Laundry Building
+| name                    = Troy Laundry Building
-  | nrhp_type =
+| nrhp_type               =
-  | designated_other1_name = Portland Historic Landmark<ref>{{citation|author=Portland Historic Landmarks Commission|title=Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon|format=XLS|date=July 2014|url=http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=44013&a=146276|accessdate=September 10, 2014}}.</ref>
+| designated_other1_name  = Portland Historic Landmark<ref>{{citation|author=Portland Historic Landmarks Commission|title=Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon|format=XLS|date=July 2014|url=http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=44013&a=146276|accessdate=September 10, 2014}}.</ref>
-  | designated_other1_color = lightgreen
+| designated_other1_color = lightgreen
-  | image = Troy Laundry Building - Portland Oregon.jpg
+| image                   = Troy Laundry Building - Portland Oregon.jpg
-  | caption = The Troy Laundry Building in 2013
+| caption                 = The Troy Laundry Building in 2013
-  | alt = Photograph of a brick industrial building
+| alt                     = Photograph of a brick industrial building
-  | location = 1025 SE Pine Street<br>[[Portland, Oregon]]
+| location                = 1025 SE Pine Street<br>[[Portland, Oregon]]
-  | coordinates = {{coord|45.520954|-122.655196|region:US-OR_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
+| coordinates             = {{coord|45.520954|-122.655196|region:US-OR_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
-| locmapin = <!-- USA Portland downtown -->
+| locmapin                = <!-- USA Portland downtown -->
-  | map_caption = Location of the Troy Laundry Building in Portland
+| map_caption             = Location of the Troy Laundry Building in Portland
-  | map_alt = Locator map
+| map_alt                 = Locator map
-  | built = 1913
+| built                   = 1913
-  | architect = [[Ellis F. Lawrence]]
+| architect               = [[Ellis F. Lawrence]]
-  | architecture = Colonial Revival
+| architecture            = Colonial Revival
-  | added = March 8, 1989
+| added                   = March 8, 1989
+| mpsub                   = Portland Oregon’s Eastside Historic and Architectural Resources, 1850-1938
-  | governing_body = Private
+| refnum                  = 89000102
-  | mpsub = Portland Oregon’s Eastside Historic and Architectural Resources, 1850-1938
-  | refnum = 89000102
 }}
-The Troy Laundry building, located at 1025 South East Pine in Portland, Oregon is a mixture of colonial, Egyptian and [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Renaissance revival]] architecture. With its large windows, tall brick walls, and decorative brick work, it is a site to behold, and knowing that it was build in 1913 makes it even more spectacular. It was built by Portland Native Architect Ellis Lawrence.
+The '''Troy Laundry Building,''' located at 1025 Southeast Pine St. in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]], was designed by [[Ellis F. Lawrence]] in the early 1900s. It is considered a mixture of [[Colonial architecture|Colonial]], [[Egyptian architecture|Egyptian]], and [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Renaissance Revival]] architecture. It is known for its large windows, tall brick walls, and decorative [[brickwork]].
 == Architecture ==
-The Troy Laundry building is classified as a colonial revival architecture building<ref>United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)</ref>, but other aspects of architecture is seen throughout it. The towering brick work with the tall, double layered windows is an example of this. As well as the decorative brick work in even intervals high upon the walls. Renaissance revival architecture drew inspiration from a wide range of classical Italian modes.<ref>Roth, Leland M., and Amanda C. R. Clark. American Architecture: a History. Routledge, 2019.</ref>Nineteenth century architects and critics gained inspiration from rich things as early fifteenth century expression artwork and architecture; they also included styles such as Baroque and Mannerist. The divergent forms of Renaissance architecture in different parts of Europe make it difficult to define and recognize new, or Neo-Renaissance, architecture.
+While the Troy Laundry Building is classified as Colonial Revival,<ref>United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)</ref> it also features some characteristics of other architectural styles. The towering brickwork with the tall, double-layered windows and the decorative brickwork at even intervals underscore the mixed architectural styles. The building also has hints of Renaissance Revival architecture, which drew inspiration from a wide range of classical Italian styles.<ref>Roth, Leland M., and Amanda C. R. Clark. American Architecture: a History. Routledge, 2019.</ref>
+Egyptian Revival architecture is also present in the building, as it also incorporates motifs and imagery from ancient Egypt.<ref>Roth, Leland</ref> In addition, the building's high stone walls and angular wall faces and design attributes in the upper portions of the building are central to this style.
-The building also has aspects of Egyptian Revival architecture. Such architecture has motifs and imagery that resemble that of ancient Egypt<ref>Roth, Leland</ref>. High stone walls and angular features are the key designs for this. The angular wall faces and design of the upper portions of the Troy Laundry building are excellent depictions of such stylistic choice. Public awareness is often attributed to Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt and the defeat of the French Navy at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Even during Napoleon’s scientific expedition in Egypt, the monumental size of their architecture is noted in the publication of the trip.<ref>McAlester, V., Matty, S. P., &amp;amp; Clicque, S. (2018). A field guide to American houses: The definitive guide to identifying and understanding America's domestic architecture. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.</ref>
-Colonial Revival architecture can be attributed to angular brickwork, small stacked windows, and symmetrical features, all of which can be seen on the Troy Laundry Building. Colonial Revival style is often associated with Centennial Exhibitions, which reawakened Americans to the architectural traditions of the colonial past.<ref>Roth, Leland</ref>It wasn’t until 1910 that the Colonial Revival movement really took in American society, where forty percent of United States homes built during the subsequent twenty year period were built in this style.
+The building also has elements of Colonial Revival architecture, as shown by the angular brickwork, small stacked windows, and symmetrical features. Colonial Revival style is often associated with Centennial Exhibitions, which reawakened Americans to the architectural traditions of their colonial past.<ref>Roth, Leland</ref>
 == History ==
 === The Troy Laundry Company ===
-The Troy Laundry was established in 1889 by John F. Tait. Tait came to Portland from Scotland, where he had apprenticed in the laundry trade<ref>United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)</ref>. His knowledge of the business and his spectacular management skills led to the establishment of a successful and one of the longest running laundry businesses in the city of Portland. The original Troy Laundry building was located on the west side of the river, but was destroyed by a fire in 1984. At that time Tait moved the laundry into a building on the east side<ref>Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929  PDF.” Archives West: Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929, archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv35243.</ref>. In 1892, Tait ran advertisements for the laundry which showed how large his operation was; he even had places where laundry could be picked up throughout Portland, Vancouver, and Oregon City. Troy Laundry was one of two large laundries which catered to both commercial and individual clients<ref>Dept. of Interior</ref>. Within in twenty five years Tait and his company expanded greatly. His staff increased to over one hundred fifty people. By 1913, the laundry had outgrown its earlier building, and the Troy Laundry building was built. Then, at the corner of 10<sup>th</sup> and Pine. Tait was one of the first people in the laundry industry to switch to an eight-hour work day. The new building incorporated a variety of innovative features: a large employee dining room and lounge, its own electrical generators, new engines that ran forty four washers, and twenty two extractors. It had the, then, standard oil burner dryers and steam equipment, but also housed the new drying system, the tumbler; this technology was considered revolutionary at the time. Tait’s system allowed his business to handle over six hundred thousand dollars worth of work a week; his business represented a customer base of ten thousand residential, industrial, and commercial clients.
+The Troy Laundry was established in 1889 by John F. Tait, who came to Portland, Oregon, from Scotland, where he had apprenticed in the laundry trade.<ref>United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)</ref> His knowledge of the business and his well-respected management skills led to the establishment of a successful, long-running laundry business.
+The original Troy Laundry building was located on the west side of the Willamette River, but was destroyed by a fire. After the fire, Mr. Tait moved the laundry into a building on the east side of town.<ref>Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929  PDF.” Archives West: Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers, 1909-1929, archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv35243.</ref>
+In 1892, he ran advertisements for the laundry, which showed how large his operation had become. Tait has set up additional locations throughout Portland, as well as Vancouver and Oregon City, where laundry could be picked up. Troy Laundry became one of the two largest laundries in the city and catered to both commercial and residential clients.<ref>Dept. of Interior</ref> Within 25 years of its establishment, Tait has over 150 people working for the laundry. A pioneer in the industry, Tait was one of the first people in the laundry industry to switch to an eight-hour work day.
+By 1913, the laundry had outgrown its earlier building, and a new Troy Laundry building was built at the corner of 10th and Pine St. The new building incorporated a variety of innovative features, including a large employee dining room and lounge, its own electrical generators, new engines that ran 44 washers, and 22 extractors. The new building also had standard oil burner dryers, steam equipment, and drying systems, including a tumbler – technologies that were evolutionary for their time.
+The Troy Laundry company eventually had a customer base that included 10,000 residential, industrial, and commercial clients, generating $600,000 in revenue per week.
 === Ellis F. Lawrence ===
-[<nowiki/>[[Ellis F. Lawrence]]] was born in Malden, Massachusetts in 1879<ref>Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers</ref>. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which was the first school of architecture in the United States. After graduating in 1902, Lawrence worked for three architectural firms: Codman and Despradelle, Andrews Jacques and Rantoul, and John Calvin Stevens. Lawrence was greatly influenced by his work with Despradelle, his former studio instructor, as well as John Calvin Stevens.  In 1906 Lawrence headed west where he intended to open an office in San Francisco. He stopped in Portland, Oregon along the way to visit a friend and former M.I.T graduate. It was then that Lawrence decided to move to Portland. He joined his friend, E.B. McNaughton, and engineer Henry Raymond in partnership in November 1906.<ref>University of Oregon Libraries.” University of Oregon Libraries, library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/lawrence</ref>.[1] Lawrence was their chief designer. In February of 1910 Lawrence left the firm to pursue independent work until 1913. A former classmate and friend from M.I.T. William G. Holdford joined him in partnership. Ormond Bean and Fred Allyn joined that partnership in 1928. Bean left the firm in 1933, and both Allyn and Holdford left in 1940.
+Architect [[Ellis F. Lawrence]] was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1879.<ref>Ellis Fuller Lawrence Papers</ref> He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], which was the first school of architecture in the United States. After graduating in 1902, Lawrence worked for three architectural firms: Codman and Despradelle; [[Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul]]; and [[John Calvin Stevens]]. Lawrence was greatly influenced by his experience working for Despradelle, as well as by his former studio instructor John Calvin Stevens.
+In 1906, Lawrence headed west where he intended to open an office in San Francisco. He stopped in Portland along the way to visit a friend and former M.I.T graduate. Scrapping his plan to move to San Francisco, Lawrence decided to remain in Portland. He soon joined his friend E. B. McNaughton and engineer Henry Raymond in partnership in November 1906.<ref>University of Oregon Libraries.” The University of Oregon Libraries, library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/lawrence</ref> Lawrence became the firm's chief designer. In February 1910, he left the firm to pursue independent work until 1913 when a former classmate and friend from M.I.T. William G. Holdford joined him in a new partnership. Ormond Bean and Fred Allyn eventually joined the team in 1928. Bean left the firm in 1933, and both Allyn and Holdford left in 1940.
-Lawrence’s first design in Portland was his home located in the Irvington neighborhood of Northeast Portland. In 1914 Lawrence founded the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts in Eugene, Oregon. He organized the school around teaching methods which rejected the traditional philosophy. He believed in integration of all the arts. Lawrence eventually became acquainted with many of the Portland’s most influential businessmen; Like John Tait. He also knew many nationally known figures such as Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Olmstead brothers. <ref>National Register of Historic Places; Multiple Property Documentation form. Architecture of Ellis F. Lawrence. Federal Register No.: 1024-0018 (September 04, 1990)</ref>
-----[1] “University of Oregon Libraries.” University of Oregon Libraries, library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/lawrence
-----[1] United States Department of the Interior; National Register of Historic Places Registration form. Troy Laundry Building. Federal Register No.: 10024-0018 (January 27, 1989)
+Lawrence's first design in Portland was his home, which was located in the Irvington neighborhood of Northeast Portland. In 1914, he founded the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts in Eugene, Oregon. He organized the school around teaching methods that rejected the traditional philosophy. Lawrence believed in the integration of all the arts. He eventually became acquainted with many of the Portland's most influential businessmen, including John Tait. He also became friends with Frank Lloyd Wright and the Olmstead brothers.<ref>National Register of Historic Places; Multiple Property Documentation Form. The architecture of Ellis F. Lawrence. Federal Register No.: 1024-0018 (September 04, 1990)</ref>
 ==Further reading==
-*{{cite journal|url={{NRHP url|id=89000102}}|format=pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Troy Laundry Building|author1=K. Zisman |author2=J. Koler |author3=J. Morrison |author4=B. Grimala |author5=A. Yost |date=August 15, 1988|publisher=National Park Service}}
+*{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=89000102}}|format=pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Troy Laundry Building|author1=K. Zisman |author2=J. Koler |author3=J. Morrison |author4=B. Grimala |author5=A. Yost |date=August 15, 1988|publisher=National Park Service}}
 ==See also==
@@ Line 56: / Line 64: @@
 [[Category:1913 establishments in Oregon]]
-[[Category:Buckman, Portland, Oregon]]
+[[Category:Buildings and structures in Buckman, Portland, Oregon]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1913]]
+[[Category:Colonial Revival architecture in Portland, Oregon]]
-[[Category:Colonial Revival architecture in Oregon]]
+[[Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1913]]
+[[Category:Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon]]
+[[Category:Former laundry buildings]]
 [[Category:Portland Eastside MPS]]
 [[Category:Portland Historic Landmarks]]
-[[Category:Former laundry buildings]]

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