City rues problem but says cash unavailable

As Pittock Mansion crumbles, departing 25-year caretaker wonders who will save it Director is counting on community to once again save landmark

By Anna Johns

The Portland Tribune, Nov 4, 2005, Updated Oct 30, 2009

The outgoing executive director of the Pittock Mansion has some harsh words for the way Portland Parks & Recreation has maintained the historic house off West Burnside Street.

“This is a big project, and it has gotten away from us,” said Daniel Crandall, who quietly gave notice this week that he will resign June 30 after 25 years on the job.

For starters, Crandall expressed frustration about the visible deterioration of the outside of the mansion, at 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive. The sandstone that makes up the exterior of the mansion is eroding. Detailed carvings over doors, on eaves and on window boxes are losing their shape, and sandstone bricks are peeling. The baluster railing on the terrace is crumbling, and, according to Crandall, the entire railing needs to be replaced.

“It’s water,” Crandall said. “When it evaporates it carries out components that bind the little grains of sand together.”

Inside the mansion, a pattern of cracks runs through the middle of a marble landing near the garden doors. Water also is to blame for that eyesore Ñ when the foundation was laid in 1912, it was reinforced with iron rods, causing it to crack.

“As soon as moisture hits the iron it starts to rust,” Crandall said. “It’s actually expanding with amazing force.”

The mansion was built by the Pittock family, early Oregon Territory settlers who became prominent in business and social circles in the early 20th century. Once the private home of Henry Louis Pittock, founder of The Oregonian, the 22-room mansion is located on 46.6 acres situated 1,000 feet above sea level and commanding a view of five mountains in the Cascade Range.

The home features fine plasterwork, cut and polished marbles, cast bronze and crafted hardwoods, and is completely furnished with antique furniture and artifacts appropriate to its 17th, 18th and 19th century French and English designs. Completed in 1914, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It has been partly supported by the city since Parks & Recreation opened it to the public in 1965.

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