Goodwillie–Allen House

The Goodwillie–Allen House in Bend, Oregon, is a charming testament to the American Craftsman architectural style, embodying the historical essence and pioneering spirit of early 20th-century America. Constructed in 1904 by Arthur Goodwillie, Bend's first mayor, this bungalow holds the distinction of being the oldest structure within the city limits and the oldest American craftsman-style house in Deschutes County. It is also the second oldest craftsman-style bungalow in Oregon, making it a significant landmark in the state's architectural history.

The History of the Goodwillie–Allen House

Arthur L. Goodwillie, born in Chicago in 1878, ventured to Bend in 1904 to explore business opportunities in Central Oregon. His contributions to the burgeoning town were substantial; he was a partner in the Pilot Butte Development Company, an investor in Bend's first bank and telephone company, and instrumental in establishing the town's water, power, and light utilities. Goodwillie also played a key role in forming the area's first school district, serving on its board of directors. In December 1904, he was elected Bend's first mayor.

Shortly after his arrival in Bend, Goodwillie married Grace Jones, a local school teacher. Together, they built their home overlooking the Deschutes River. This small bungalow, constructed in the American Craftsman style, served as their residence until they moved back to Chicago in late 1907. The house was then sold to Herbert and Alice Allen, who were new arrivals in Bend. Herbert Allen, a senior manager with the Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company, lived in the bungalow from 1908 until his death in 1929. Allen was also involved in various private enterprises and civic organizations, including the Bend Commercial Club and the local chamber of commerce.

In 1937, the house was acquired by Doctor Clyde Rademacher and his wife Marjorie. Doctor Rademacher was a founder of the Bend Memorial Clinic, the community's first multi-specialty medical clinic. The Rademachers lived in the house until the 1980s. After their deaths, the property sat vacant for several years and was nearly demolished to make way for a parking lot. However, in 1993, a community group successfully moved the building 50 feet south of its original site, preserving it as part of the Riverfront Connection Project. The house was then renovated for use as a fine art gallery and art education center. In 2012, it was repurposed again, this time as a café and bicycle rental shop.

Exploring the Goodwillie–Allen House

The Goodwillie–Allen House is a quintessential example of American Craftsman architecture. The one-and-one-half-story bungalow was built with locally produced lumber and native stone at a cost of $1,800. The main part of the house measures 28 feet wide and 54 feet long, with an extension on the southeast side and a porch on the west façade, adding to its length. The house features a low-pitch hip roof with dormers, deeply overhanging eaves with exposed rafters, and a large front porch under an extension of the main roof. Numerous windows, many with art glass features, adorn the house.

The front façade boasts a wide porch with heavy lava stone walls and three stone columns supporting the porch roof. The front door, featuring a large leaded-glass panel, is set to one side of the building's center line. Adjacent to the door are three large picture windows, separated by wide mullions and topped with a single matching header, offering views of Drake Park and the Deschutes River. The windows are detailed with lead glass in a diamond-obelisk design. Above the porch roof extension, a large second-floor dormer with a hip roof caps the west façade.

The south elevation is characterized by a side porch covered by an open lattice beam pergola, supported by seven lava stone columns. The porch runs the entire length of the building, bordered by a lava stone wall matching the front porch. The south side features double casement windows, a sealed wooden door, and a group of six bay windows. The main side entrance, a wooden door with a large glass panel insert, is flanked by five-pane sidelight windows. East of the entrance are three casement windows with diamond-obelisk art glass. A second-floor dormer is centered in the middle of the south façade.

The Interior of the Goodwillie–Allen House

The interior of the Goodwillie–Allen House reflects American Craftsman design principles, offering 2,471 square feet of space. The first floor, with 9.5-foot ceilings, includes a spacious living room running the entire width of the west side of the building. The room is bright and airy, with large windows on three sides and a massive lava stone fireplace as its centerpiece. The fireplace, featuring a high mantel and low hearth, is the oldest known example of native volcanic tuff stone used in residential building in Deschutes County.

Originally, the main dining room was located east of the living room on the south side of the building, with a bedroom on the north side. Today, the dining room remains in its original place, but the front bedroom and another room in the rear have been removed to create an open floor plan along the north side. The kitchen, once located next to the dining room, has been converted into a foyer for the south side entrance. The modern kitchen and bathrooms are now situated in the rear of the building, where the ceiling drops to 8 feet. The stairway to the second floor and several small storage rooms are located in the center of the building toward the rear.

The second floor features a cruciform floor plan under a 7-foot vaulted ceiling, providing space for three small offices, a restroom, and a storage area under the rear shed dormer. The dormer windows on the west, south, and north sides offer natural light to the office spaces. Built-in shelves and storage cabinets throughout the second floor are typical of American Craftsman architecture.

The Goodwillie–Allen House stands as a remarkable piece of Bend's history, a testament to the city's early development and the enduring appeal of the American Craftsman style. Its preservation and adaptive reuse demonstrate the community's commitment to honoring its architectural and historical heritage.