I remember strolling in my Cathedral Park neighborhood years ago, when I was surprised to come across a massive, stately house on the edge of the bluff with a sweeping lawn. It was one of those hidden curiosities that dot our community. I found out later the house was known locally as the Polk Street mansion or the Benson-Chaney house.
the property.
The house at 7654 N Crawford St. has an intriguing history. It is associated with Simon Benson (1851-1942), a mover and doer of early Portland who may be best known for his donation of Benson bubblers throughout the metro area including North Portland.
Benson was a timber magnate who revolutionized Pacific Northwest logging by innovating among other things a massive, ocean-worthy “cigar raft” to transport timber from Oregon to California, bypassing expensive rail shipping. These 700 to 1,000-foot-long, cigar-shaped, log-chained structures carried up to 6 million board feet of lumber, with only 4 of the 120 built over 35 years lost to the ocean.
The Benson house on the bluff, built in 1910, is said to have been a wedding gift from Simon Benson to his eldest son, Amos. But some records show Amos buying the tract of land on which the house sits.
The younger Benson followed his father into the lumber business and became his active associate. He learned the logging industry at Cathlamet, Washington, and at Oak Point. When the logging camps were moved near Clatskanie, Oregon, he became manager there and of the mill built a few years later.
of the house.
He was an apt pupil and modernized methods of handling lumber. He doubled the output of the plant and worked to improve efficiency as manager for the camps and mills. Amos was also associated with his father in the work of improving state highways and in philanthropy.
Amos Benson lived in the house on the North Portland bluff for around 15 years. He sold the house to the Chaney family who resided there for several generations. More recently, the house was acquired by Open Meadow Alternative High School. When the school wished to move in 2015, there was great concern among residents that the house might be torn down or somehow diminished.
Neighbors, including Sabre Chaney, whose family were the houses’ longest residents, met with the school’s executive director and city partners to discuss how the change of ownership might preserve the house, Heritage oak trees and expansive lawn. A solution was reached, much to the credit of Open Meadow School leaders and the city. The property was split into two parcels with the house and its immediately adjacent land in one parcel that would be put up for sale. The other parcel, an acre of open land to the south, would be acquired by Portland Parks and serve as a neighborhood dog park.
Fortunately for the community, the solution has worked well. The park is a well-used destination for local dog walkers who can savor the view while their canine companions exercise. Luckily, the house was purchased in 2016 by Tim Miller, a local entrepreneur, who appreciates its background and historic status.
The Benson house is now known as the St. Johns Inn and and has guest rooms available for travelers to book at StJohns-Inn.com. Miller preserves the first floor as an event venue. The property with its stunning view has proved to be a popular site for weddings.
As spectacular as the house is outside, it is even more so inside. Upon entering the house, a dark wood-paneled hallway opens into light and generously spacious rooms with elegant dark wood trim.
An awe-inspiring view of the river can be seen from oversized sash windows throughout the first floor. There is intricate wood craftsmanship on the fireplace mantels and built-ins, some made of Oregon oak, the iconic tree of the Pacific Northwest.
Miraculously, all appear to be in close to pristine condition, obviously having been treated carefully by past owners. There is a wrap-around porch facing the river where it is easy to imagine genteel ladies taking their tea.
The unmistakable early 1900’s aura of the house has a particularly local twist. Outside there are two towering heritage Oregon oak trees that complement its character.
Photo by Red Letter Days LLC.
Miller noted that the ballroom on the third floor overlooks Willamette Cove, which was active with industry at the time Benson lived there. He imagines Benson watching over his lumber operations in the cove below and holding stern meetings with staff in the ballroom.
The Benson-Chaney property has state historic status and is an important local treasure. It is fortunate that due to residents’ advocacy, Portland Parks initiative, and Miller’s interest in preserving the houses’ history, the property have been saved for all to enjoy.