Back in January of 1924 the Chief of Police detailed a traffic cop at Commercial Street to flag and direct traffic for sledders blasting down Lincoln Street on Fairmount Hill.
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| January 6th, 1924 |
From the morning paper:
HUNDREDS SLIDE DOWN THE HILLS
Lincoln Street Alive With Fun-Makers - Officer Stays on Job
"A'coasting we will go!"
Several hundred Salem kids of all ages carried out the spirit of the old snowtime song last night when the Lincoln street hill was crowded with those who had caught the spirit of this winter pleasure, an infrequent one for this city.
Bobsleds, steel cutters and handsleds of every description were to be found on the Lincoln Street slide. Of course, there are several small sleds, but this, is the mecca of those who want a thrilling ride.
Of course there is quite a bit of danger when it is considered that this street crosses South Commercial. Chief of Police Birtchet has for several nights detailed Traffic Officer William Vogt to the task of swinging the red lantern as a protection for the well loaded, fast moving sleds. There are few local autoists who refuse to slow down at the intersection, but occasionally there is an Individual who is willing to claim the right of way over the brakeless coasting vehicles.
Observers last night commented upon the fact that men and boys owning the coasters were willing to share the ride with kiddies, and not a few women who wanted to enjoy the fun. Of course there were fair maidens in plenty, but nearly all of the loads were made up of mixed crews of pleasure seekers.
The joy of coasting over the icy surface might not have been enjoyed had the advice of well-meaning but consistent pessimists been followed. These have been growling, "Throw cinders on these hills so we can speed by without worrying about these wild kids."
Perhaps there would be more safety involved, but with every one co-operating there is little real danger and the shouts of genuine mirth are proof that this is healthy sport for red-blooded folks.
This moment in 1924 may be a bit of a cusp for development on Fairmount hill.
Here's the 1927 Sanborn map. (Click to enlarge to an actually readable size!) What is now Mahonia Hall was in process of construction and would be completed later in 1924. The reservoir moved a couple of blocks south. About it an abandoned National Register Nomination says:
The City of Salem took possession of the Salem Water Company in 1935 after a condemnation suit. A new double covered reservoir was built two blocks away on the north side of Luther, which holds 10,000,000 gallons, and a new water tower was built on the hilltop to improve water pressure. The original reservoir doesn’t exist any longer, but it has been replaced by lawn trees and a street, the block was sold for development inOther houses filled in along the street. So right in this period there is a transition from a few scattered homes on the street to an actual suburban, residential neighborhood.
1946.
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| A tiny Lincoln Street on Fairmount hill (stitched from 1927 Sanborn maps, click to enlarge) |
Houses labeled in red on the map:
The Hawkins House with the link to Clarence Smith might be key, even though the Cusick house is about a decade older. About it that abandoned National Register Nomination says:
The Harry and Laura Hawkins House was constructed in 1922, and was the first Salem house designed by architect Clarence Smith in the California Mission Revival style. Hawkins was a mortgage agent who helped organize the financing of projects like the Elsinore Theatre and the Oregon Pulp and Paper Company. In 1935 he personally acquired the Marion Hotel from Ladd and Bush Bank.
There appear on that 1927 map to be a few more houses lower on the hill along Lincoln that remain today, but they are not as grand as the houses higher on the hill and have not been named in inventories of older properties. There might be more to say about this area another time, especially as the Historic Landmarks Commission now will be working with SCAN on the "heritage neighborhood" project.
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| Dec. 22nd, 1922 |
There is also the T. A. Livesley-Conde McCullough nexus in the later 1920s, as Livesley was Mayor and McCullough, who later built a house on Leffelle in the 1930s, a key figure in our first zoning scheme.
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| Bridges in the bond |
Buried in the National Register Nomination for Mahonia Hall is a neat ordered list of bridges! (See "Restoring the Church Street Bridge," No. 8 on the list, for a little more on that bridge bond, designer R. A. Furrow, and the bond's bridges.)
Even apart from the upper hill being the site of fancy houses, the neighborhood and its residents have places in Salem history.
In the words again of that abandoned National Register Nomination, to which we'll return (and contest also in some regards!):
The proposed Fairmount Historic District is a cohesive collection of early-twentieth century residential buildings representing a variety of early 20th century American and Revival styles. There are a total of 233 resources within the proposed district, with 57% of these contributing to its historic character. The resources constructed during the period of significance retain a high level of historic integrity, and have been well maintained, conveying the history of an early twentieth century upper class residential community....The Fairmount Historic District in Salem is an affluent residential neighborhood that reflects the cycles of development in Salem at large. As Salem grew into a larger community in the late nineteenth century and throughout the mid-twentieth century, many prominent Salem residents chose to settle in Fairmount including merchants, bankers, and civic and state leaders who shaped and guided the development and growth of the City of Salem as well as the State of Oregon. Therefore, the Fairmount District meets the National Register criterion A for its local significance in the area of planning and community development.
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