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1 FHR (11-78) United States Department off the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type ail entries complete appiicable sections 1. Name historic and/or common 2. Location Damascus School Damascus Pioneer Craft School street & number SE Anderson Road not for publication city, town Damascus vicinity of congressional district 3rd state Oregon code 41 county Clackamas code Classification Category Ownership district public XX building(s) XX private structure both site Public Acquisition object in process being considered 4. Owner of Property Status XX occupied unoccupied work in progress Accessible yes: restricted XX yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture commercial XX educational entertainment government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific transportation other: name street & number Dr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Miller. Jr, E. Marmot Road city, town Sandy vicinity of state Oregon Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. street & number Clackamas County Courthouse 8th and Main Streets city, town Oregon City 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title None has this property been determined elegible? yes AA no date federal state county local depository for survey records city, town state

7. Description Condition excellent X good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered " altered CJheck one original s ite moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical

2 7. Description Condition excellent X good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered " altered CJheck one original s ite moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The original volume of Damascus School, built in 1876, is a single-story, one-room, cedar-shingle gable-roofed frame building, rectangular in plan, measuring 24 x 36 feet and oriented south to north. Clad with shiplap siding and simply finished with detail derived from the Classic Revival, the building has plain corner boards and frieze boards under boxed eaves. The sills initally rested on stone piers, but the foundation is presently concrete. Straddling the roof ridge at the south (front) gable end is a square louvered belfry, which originally was unenclosed, with pyramidal shingled roof and overhanging eaves. Window openings are elongated and fitted with double-hung sash with four over four lights. Original! I there were three window bays in either side elevation, and the facade organization was symmet- 1 rical with a single bay on either side of a central entry sheltered by an aedicula-like gableroofed porch. The porch had chamfered posts with capitals and shadow pilasters. The brick stove chimney which originally straddled the roof ridge at the center was removed at an early date. In the period between 1902 and 1911, growing enrollment necessitated enlargement, and the following changes were made. The central classical front porch was supplanted by an 11-foot deep vestibule offset to the east side of the facade. The original east window of the facade was re-installed on the west side of the facade. The vestibule facade had a central entry flanked by double-hung windows. A perpendicular gable-roofed classroom wing measuring 24 x 28 feet was added to the east side of the school, thus making an L-shaped configuration. Finish material closely followed the original. Outer bays in the west wall of the original volume were converted to paired openings with double-hung sash with trim matching original treatment. In 1922, it is reported, plumbing was installed, and consequently the vestibule was extended ten feet to provide access to basement toilet rooms. In 1935 a 14-foot deep kitchen lean-to with drop siding and exposed rafters was added in the angle of the "L" on the north side. This addition was enlarged to a 35-foot long kitchen/utility lean-to in 1956 when the property was acquired by the Damascus Community Church. The final changes to the building's exterior were made in 1967 when multi-paned picture windows were added in north and east end elevations and doors with diapered glazed upper panels were installed in openings in the vestibule, the north end of the original volume, and in the kitchen wall. Interior finish is primarily wood. Ceilings in the original volume and vestibule are tongue and groove boards. Tongue and groove boards laid horizontally cover interior walls of the original volume. Beveled tongue and groove boards are laid similarly in the vestibule. The classroom wing of presently has an acoustic tile ceiling, and its walls are overlaid with paneling of recent vintage. The kitchen ceiling is plywood panel with battens at the joints. Walls are fir tongue and groove boards and hard surface panels. Floors throughout, except for concrete in the kitchen/utility area, are %-inch hardwood tongue and groove boards. All ceiling and wall surfaces are painted. Floors and kitchen cabinetry are varnished, The original front door is still in use between the vestibule and original volume, though its location has been altered. In 1968, to correct termite damage, the area under the east classroom wing was excavated and concrete reinforcement was added to the original foundation. A new cedar shingle roof was placed over the original roof cover at the same time.

8. Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 XX- 1800-1899 1900- Areas off Significance Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning

3 8. Significance Period prehistoric XX Areas off Significance Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation ' '; agriculture economics XX architecture art commerce communications XX education engineering XX exploration/settlement industry invention... L-cne±l a-viflcia^ Specific dates 1876< , 1935 Builder/Architect Unknown landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy politics/government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The one-story white frame school house which was built in the old settlement of Damascus on the Foster-Barlow Road in west Clackamas County in 1876 is significant as one of the oldest rural schoolhouses standing in the state. As such, it is a distinctive and well-maintaine example of a dwindling resource. Most of Oregon's one-room rural schoolhouses are abandoned and in extremely dilapidated condition. Damascus School was altered by acretion in the period , about 1922, and again in 1935, but the original volume is intact, with some modification of window and door openings spanning the earliest and latest remodel ings. The alterations, in fact, are responsible for the building's continued use, for the building has evolved to meet the community's educational needs virtually without interruption since it was opened over 100 years ago. The community of Damascus developed along the old Foster-Barlow Road in 1852, but did not receive its name until The latter, a spur of the old Oregon Trail, developed as a shortened route to Portland by-passing Oregon City. It later served as a major market road by which farm produce was delivered to Portland. -The old school house was constructed on land donated to Union School District #26 by James and Margaret Chitwood in April The one-room school opened in A second classroom and vestibule were added to meet growing enrollment sometime between 1902 and There are no records to document when the vestibule was enlarged and basement toilet rooms added, but these changes undoubtedly date from 1922, when plumbing was installed. The enlarged school house continued to operate as a primary school through The Damascus Community Church purchased the school in June 1956, enlarged the kitchen and used the building for meetings and Sunday School classes until 1967, when the property was acquired by Joseph and Amy Miller. At this time, basic repairs were made, windows were added on the east and north sides, and the kitchen area remodeled. The school house was re-opened as the Damascus School for Pioneer Crafts in April, In the twelve years that the building has served as a private craft school, the surrounding area has developed markedly. Predominantly farm land in 1968, the unincorporated community of Damascus is now a rapidly growing suburb of Portland. Census figures show the 1970 population to have been 3,378, and the projected 1980 figure was set at 5,156. The latter projection was made in 1975, and may prove to be conservative. The school remains as the sole community-oriented structure surviving from the early settlement period of the Damascus area. Recognition of this local landmark will contribute to its continued preservation and protection through Oregon's land use planning program.

9. Major Bibliographical References Days and Ways of Old Damascus Oregon, Maybee, Lottie and Forbes, Forrest D., Damascus Road Press/1962. Free Land for Free Men, Vera Lynch, 1973.

4 9. Major Bibliographical References Days and Ways of Old Damascus Oregon, Maybee, Lottie and Forbes, Forrest D., Damascus Road Press/1962. Free Land for Free Men, Vera Lynch, Personal Interviews, 1976: Helen Wright, Damascus Community Churchy Mabel_Wescott, former school board member; Mrs. Rumsfeld; and Mr. Cfl 10. Geographical Data Acreage ftf nominated property 10SS than OHC (0.37 acre) V>UW WW ' Quadrangle UMT References Damascus, Oregon Quadrangle scale 1 :24000 I5 4i2 4i4i0 Zone Easting Northing cl, I I I i I, i I El i I I I i I i i I I.. Gl, I I I, I.. I 1,1,1.11 J_I Zone Easting Northing D 11,1,1 I I I l I,, I F Mill, Hi, I _1 I.I.I.t...L I,,.. Verbal boundary description and justification Damascus School is located in NE ^, Sec. 8, T2S, R3E 3 W.M., in Clackamas County, Oregon. It is legally described as Clackamas County Tax Lot 500 in the aforenamed quarter section... List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Audrey Moore, Barbara Miller, Dolores Gannett, Amy Miller organization Damascus Pioneer Craft School» ;Iric/ date April 28, 1980 street & number SE Anderson Road telephone 503/65S-2704 city or town Clackamas state Oregon State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state XX local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law ), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion/in/the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth Wjthe Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature title Deputy SHPO date September 25, 1980 For H^CRS^use^bnly,,:.':;-';;'",. ;:;H>.\.v-f. :;; : : ;;V: : i ;:' :;:!>.;.. I hereby certify that this property is Included eeper of the National Register GPO

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7 Damascus School SE Anderson Road Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oreg. 1 of 14 - Historic view. c T 6 Photographer unknown r Copy neg: Damascus Pioneer <5f Craft School, Inc. ^ Clackamas, OR 97015^ South (front) and east elevations of school in original state as built in 1876, showing aedicula-like porch and symmetry in placement of openinas. three bays in side walls.

9 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 2 of 14 - Historic view, c OCT Photographer unknown Copy neg: Damascus Pioneer Craft School, Inc. i Clackamas, OR 97015<x&> West and south (front) elevations of school as remodeled between 1902 and Belfry remains open. Original central porch has been replaced by an offset vestibule. Outer bays in west wall have been made compound openings. Perpendicular classroom wing has been added on east side of school.

11 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 3 of 14 - West and south elevations, showing louvers added to belfry and enlargement of south vestibule post-dating Damascus photo, 1980 Pioneer Crafi.i.Schoaian uct 5 WJ Clackamas, OR 97015

Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 4 of 14 - North and west elevations of original volume of 1876.

13 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 4 of 14 - North and west elevations of original volume of Openings in west wall revised Openings in north end were made OCT Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

15 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oreg. 5 of 14 - Detail view of north end of original volume of 1876, showing openings of Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo 1980 ^ CT 198 Clackamas, OR 97015

17 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 6 of 14 - East and north elevations, showing lean-to kitchen addition of 1935 as enlarged in 1956 and classroom wing of Multi-paned bay window in east end of classroom addition and other openings shown date from GOT Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

19 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 7 of 14 - Interior view, looking south, original volume of 1876, showing window trim and flooring intact. QCT g 1980 Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 a Clackamas. OR 97(115

21 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 8 of 14 - Interior view, looking west, original volume of Paired window openings in outer bays date from enlarge ment of OCT DEC 319 Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

23 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 9 of 14 - Interior view, looking north, original volume of Openings in end wall were added Damascus Pioneer Cjifcft,, School photo, 1980 CT6 '980 Clackamas, OR 97015

25 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 10 of 14 - Interior view, looking south, of vestibule as enlarged after Door is addition of Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 OCT rfv o IQ^Q Clackamas, OR Utb *

27 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 11 of 14 - Interior view, looking east, into east classroom wing of Damascus Pioneer Craft Schoo photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

29 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 12 of 14 - Interior view, looking east, east classroom wing of OCI 6 t98 T Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 a Clackamas, OR 97015

31 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 13 of 14 - Interior view, looking north, east classroom wing of OCT Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

33 Damascus School Damascus, Clackamas Co, Oregon 14 of 14 - Interior view, looking east, kitchen/utility addition of 1935 as enlarged in 1956 and given new windo openings in Damascus Pioneer Craft School photo, 1980 Clackamas, OR 97015

NPS Form OMB No Exp Status occupied X unoccupied work in progress Accessible yes: restricted yes: unrestricted _5Lno

NPS Form OMB No Exp Status occupied X unoccupied work in progress Accessible yes: restricted yes: unrestricted _5Lno NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form See instructions in How to