Columbia Cottage History

In early 1939 the long-time consensus of the Columbia Park community and Clubs became apparent when they urged the city for a new field house, insisting that the old house was a "disgrace."   This was also supported by the then Superintendent of Parks C.P. Keyser with the statement that "the Park had never had the kind of a central building that it should have had".  This led Mr. Lloyd Jones of the University Park Club, to represent the citizens of the district at a City Council meeting held in April 1939.  At that time, after a stormy council session, the City took steps toward the project, launched by Commissioner J.E. Bennett when he sent an ordinance to the City Council to authorize the employment of an architect on the building. The brick building community center was to cost $10,000.  Accordingly, on June 12, 1939, plans for the "Field House" were drawn up by the local architectural firm of Barrett & Logan.  Mr. Thayne J. Logan was the designer and his plans included the large public meeting room to the be the "auditorium" with a fireplace and the surrounding rooms to be the kitchen, dressing rooms, and restrooms.

Thayne J. Logan  (1900 - 1990)

Puget Sound National Bank Building (Tacoma Art Museum);
Circa 1925; Watercolor; Signed Lower right

Thayne J. Logan was born in Joplin MO. In 1900.  He was a pupil of the University of Utah; Benson Polytechnic (Portland); and the University of Oregon. Studied art under Clyde Leon Keller and Sidney Bell (Portland). He was a member of the Oregon Society of Artists, and the American Inst. Of Architects. Awards: Oregon Society of Artist 1937 to 39; Oregon State Fair 1927-30, 1934. He was an art critic, an architect, and a painter. Thayne Logan died in 1990 (Portland).

Although there was general City Council backing for such a project, including Mayor Carson, it was voted down due to the fact the costs would have had to be paid out of the "Emergency Fund" and also the fact that other city parks were turned down for funding at that time. Subsequently, the neighborhoods and nearby clubs became directly supportive by finding ways to raise funds. This was achieved and construction costs in the amount of $10,000 were borne by Portsmouth and University Park residents, as wel1 as businesses along North Lombard, with the University Park Community Club (together with three other clubs) organizing raffles and special events that they called Hoorahs.  When completed, the funds were turned over to the City, and the community and others decided it would be best to do the work by contract thru the City.

Dedication of the long sought-after brick field house was held Sunday afternoon June 16, 1940, at a formal ceremony in the Park with four Portland community clubs (all from Zone No. 1) joined forces to celebrate the achievement.  City Commissioner Bennett gave the address and Paul Sayre, president of the Federation of Community Clubs spoke.  Entertainment and games followed such as softball or horseshoes, as well as a baseball game at 3 P.M.

During World War II, the Oregon Home Guard used the new center for its emergency state headquarters. Following the war, the auditorium room became a popular scene for community recreational events and gatherings. From the late 1940's through 1960's, the building was host to folk dances, various classes, preschool programs, garden club meetings, Lombard Boosters, and some wedding receptions. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary took over the use of the auditorium room during the decade of 1970.

Historical Overview Written by Hildene Westerlund