13 September: Cannon Beach Cottage Tour, West-Bouvy Cabin

Saturday, 13 September, 2014

Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

a benefit for the Cannon Beach History Center

We had a long walk to the next cottage.  As always in Cannon Beach, charming sights abounded.

a wee cottage with a garden full of potential

The walking route took us along the narrow shouldered lane uphill on Hemlock Street.  Now me, hobbling with my cane and with cars going by and a drop off on one side, was probably the only one in the world acrophobic and car phobic enough to be scared.

I really was quite toe curlingly anxious.

However, I survived the walk both ways.  Allan was with me on the way back and told me quite comfortingly that if I fell down the slope it would be into brambles and not all the way down. It was quite, quite a long and uphill and downdale walk and I was glad I had brought my cane.

the first view of Haystack Rock

and a clearer view as the walk progressed

Allan says “I stayed above the highway on a ‘shortcut’ with this double decked house facing Haystack rock…”

“and a flowering hedge below” (looks like Escallonia to me)

“and standing stones south of the main rock” (The Needles)

“and a house of river rock (& a few plants)”

I was walking alone as Allan left the previous house after me, and as I finally neared the destination, older folks leaving the property said to me, “It’s worth it!”  I realized that with my cane, I am now bonded to the older folks.  I guess I am one of them!  They were so right, the destination was well worth the long, hilly walk in both directions.

West-Bouvy Cabin

from the programme:  Originally built in 1913 for Oregon governor Oswald West, this is one of the most historic homes on the tour.  The property sits on a basaltic precipice with a breathtaking view of the ocean.  The rectangular, one story Adirondack style log cabin is 40 by 48 feet and sits 80 feet above sea level.  The Wests sold their retreat in 1926, where it was sold to a Dr Harry Bouvy and his wife Gladys in 1936 and later passed down to their descendants.  In late May of 1991, the homeowners had made plans with the Oregon State Preservation Office to nominate the home on the National Register of Historic Places.  It wasn’t until May 30, 1991, a 16-year old arsonist set the home ablaze and 55 years of family history had gone up in smoke.  Following the fire, the home was reconstructed in its exact location.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

seesaw on north lawn

As you can see, the home has a second story; I’m not sure if that was added later.

view from north lawn

I stood in the queue on the west side porch having a delightful chat with the docent.  He said interior photos were just fine, and so did the owner, who was inside.  We were even allowed to wear our shoes in the house despite the very fine wood floors.  The docent told me that the house had been recreated by sifting through the ashes to find the original footprint, and also had been recreated from photographs.  (I did not think to ask if the second story was original or added later.)

The name of the young arsonist is a mystery; because of his age, the records were sealed.  I can only wonder why? why? why?  I found this good article about the rebuilding (although when I look at it, the colours are very odd and hard to read).  Here is another, and easier to read, article.

Allan’s photo of me chatting with the docent.

Allan’s photo

massive stone fireplace

many spots for reading

 

south window view with an old original building

china cabinet

kitchen

Allan’s photo

The red counters remind me of my grandma’s kitchen

log cabin knife rack

old fashioned pantry

log construction

back to the living room

Allan went upstairs

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

reading nook, Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo of historic photos

the upstairs view (Allan’s photo)

upstairs view (Allan’s photo)

snoozy spots (Allan’s photo)

woodwork detail, Allan’s photo

on the expansive west veranda

view to Haystack Rock

The Needles

SW corner of the veranda

the original woodshed

a green roof; the bank would have been spangled with white ox-eye daisy earlier in the year.

spent daisy heads

south side of house

path to beach, Allan’s photo

cabin from below (Allan’s photo)

behind the house, the old well house

inside the well house…

…the old well.

Allan’s photo

back porch

tiny back garden

north side

As we made the long walk back to the next cottage, I told older folks who were walking toward me and looking rather hot and tired in the 84 degree weather, “It’s worth it.”