This house has giddyup 🐎

History of the Ladd Carriage House

A Victorian era house surrounded by modern buildings and cars

The most recent restoration received a preservation award from the Victorian Society in America. | Photo by Steve Morgan

William S. Ladd, Portland’s fifth mayor, also happens to be the youngest to ever hold the role. During his one-year volunteer term (1854-1855) he put into law 42 ordinances — twice as many as his four predecessors combined — to help bring stability to the city’s early government. What a lad.

But, this story is not about the businessman and philanthropist’s achievements, nor is it about the geometric neighborhood that still bears his name. It’s about the building where he kept his horses.

All the king’s horses

If you’ve happened across the Ladd Carriage House you’ve probably wondered what such an antiquated building is doing at the corner of Southwest Broadway and Columbia Street.

Did it get lost? It has been known to move.

Among the high rises and apartments of downtown, the Ladd Carriage House is one of several remaining buildings from the Ladd family’s grand estate, which once included a stately mansion and sprawling gardens. The Victorian structure was designed in 1883 by architect Joseph Sherwin to house not only the stables, but the carriages and the coachman who navigated the vehicles too.

An archive photo of a Victorian mansion surrounded by gardens and trees. — The mansion stood on the block bounded by Broadway, Columbia, Sixth, and Jefferson.

Eventually, the Ladd Barn (as it was also known) was renovated in 1926 and divided into specialty shops. The top floor and former hayloft became a dance floor.

There and back again

In 2007, plans for a condominium tower and underground parking garage threatened the Ladd Carriage House, but a compromise was reached between developers and preservationists. The historic building (350 tons, 52 ft wide, 65 ft long, and 55 ft tall) was transported several blocks very carefully with giant dollies to a vacant parking lot, but returned to its original location 18 months later.

It received extensive exterior restorations, including a paint job that changed its color from a bluish gray to shades of brown, and was relisted on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior was updated in 2012, with a restaurant (Raven & Rose) and cocktail bar (The Rookery) opening that fall. Both have since closed.

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Thursday, Dec. 15

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” | Thursday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $25-$86 | The beloved classic about small-town everyman George Bailey has been reimagined for the stage as a live radio broadcast.
The Fire’s Very Scottish Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland | $25-$30 | Don your most festive kilt for this night of music and dancing.
Portland Spirit Cinnamon Bear Breakfast | Saturday, Dec. 17-Tuesday, Dec. 27 | Portland | $48-$64+ | After a three-year hiatus, Cinnamon Bear and his friends from Maybeland are back for a brand new cruise with storytelling, music, magic, and breakfast.

Friday, Dec. 16

Midwinter Revels: “Andalusian Night - A Celebration of the Solstice” | Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 | Times vary | Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $16-$109 | Listen to stories and songs of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities with special musical guest Seffarine.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Jokes at a Jazz Club | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. + 9:30 p.m. | Jack London Revue, 529 SW Fourth Ave., Portland | $15 | Two shows means twice the comedy.
2000s Xmas Glow-Ho-Ho Ball | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 9 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland | $20 | Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and low-rise jeans to dance beside a giant screen playing 2000s music videos.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MANY MERRY EVENTS

Weather

43º | Good day, sunshine | 7% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:44 a.m.
Set: 4:27 p.m.

Community

SOLVE is hosting a cleanup today along the I-205 multi-use path in an area of urgent need. This event will be a collaboration with the Portland outreach organization, Dinner & A Movie, whose focus is on building holistic relationships with Portland’s houseless community. Additional cleanup dates are planned for 2023.

Travel

If you’re like 82% of Oregonians who have yet to get a Real ID, you now have even longer to put it off. Homeland Security has pushed the deadline for air travelers to attain the required document to May 7, 2025, more than two years beyond the original cutoff. ✈️ (Portland Monthly)

Plan Ahead

It’s hard to say no at Enoteca Nostrana. On Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the wine bar will host “Caffe Nostra,” a one-time holiday pop-up featuring gifts, Italian-inspired pastries, retail wine, and beverages made to order. Don’t forget to marvel over chef Maddie Stratton’s awe-inspiring Venetian gingerbread house. 🍷
From Saturday, Jan. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 12, Kate Hamill’s “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B” — a feminist take on the iconic crime-fighting duo — will entertain audiences at Portland Center Stage. You won’t need a magnifying glass to find tickets. As to whether you should go? Why, it’s elementary.

History

After more than six years of delays, the Eastmoreland neighborhood has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The effort, which started as a way to stop home demolitions, faced resistance from a small group of residents concerned about restrictions affecting structures and landscapes. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Ranked

Portland took home “Best in Show” in a recent study by U.S. News and World Report about the best cities to own a dog in the country. The No. 1 spot was based on factors like access to dog parks and the number of employed veterinarians. 🐶 (U.S. News and World Report)

Seasonal

Got a coffee lover in your family? We can almost guarantee these two products are on their wish list — the Fellow Stagg Electric Kettle and the Fellow Pour Over Coffee Set. Both strike the perfect balance of form and function. Psst — don’t forget the matching travel mug. ☕ *

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The Festival of Lights 🕎

Public menorah lighting ceremonies

A hanukkah menorah is fully lit with dradels and sufganiyot jelly donuts sit in the foreground

Happy Hanukkah to all. | Photo by YB13D

Sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18 will commence the Hanukkah celebration for the Jewish community living in the Portland area.

There will be lots of spinning dreidels and sufganiyot to eat, and although many of these festivities will take place in people’s homes, there are also several opportunities to gather and celebrate together.

Chabad of Oregon will host a public nightly menorah lighting in Pioneer Courthouse Square at 5:30 p.m. from Sunday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 26. Join an hour early on the first night (at 4:30 p.m.) to experience live music, traditional foods, and appearances from local dignitaries.

Vancouver will also host a free event, featuring a grand menorah lighting, hot chocolate and donuts, an LED circus act, and more at Esther Short Park. In Gresham, you can also help construct a “canorah,” or a giant menorah made of canned food, which will be donated to local food pantries.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: As a huge soccer fan, I’ve been enjoying watching the top talent battle it out in the Men’s FIFA World Cup — even if the US made an earlier-than-desired exit. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Pure Seed, which has a grass seed farm in Canby, provided the turf for the Qatar-based tournament’s eight stadiums.

The grass really is greener in Oregon.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We added up the cost of living in Portland.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Terri Kiesenhofer | Advertise with us.

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