OpenStreetMap (new tab)

Google Map (new tab)

Google Streetview (new tab)

Building History

The California Architect and Building News wrote in an article on the City of Portland's growth in 1882: "The Oregonian reports $1,150,075 expended in building improvements at Portland during 1881. The larger operations are reported: one of $85,000; one of $50,000; two of $43,000; three of $40,000; two of $25,000; one of $22,000; one of $15,000; two of $12,000; four of $10,000; and so on down to small amounts. The $50,000 building was 'the largest and handsomest residence erected during the year,' for Hon. J.N. Dolph, containing twenty-two rooms, all finished in toa and black walnut. Mr. H.W. Cleveland [sic] of San Francisco, architect. Street improvements are reported at a total of $283,538.37. Anticipations for 1882 are large." (See "Growth of Portland, Oregon," California Architect and Building News, vol. III, no. 1, p. 17.)

Joseph Norton Dolph (born 1835 in in Dolphsburg, NY-d. 03/10/1897 in Portland, OR), was a lawyer, Portland civic leader and Oregon politician, who served as Portland District Attorney betweeen 1865 and 1868 and in the US Senate between 1883 and 1895. He was a grandson of Jacob Vanderbilt (1723-1768) through his mother, Elizabeth Vanderbilt Steele (1813-1884). He wed Augusta Emma Mulkey (born 06/04/1844 in Johnson County, MO-d. 10/04/1907 in Paris, France) on 10/31/1864. Together, they had six children, one of whom was named "Henry Villard Dolph" (born 12/22/1881 in Portland, OR-d. 09/12/1960 in San Diego, CA), indicating that Dolph was a local associate of the railroad magnate, Henry Villard (1835-1900). Dolph's law firm, Dolph, Bronaugh, Dolph and Simon, active before Joseph went to Washington, DC, represented Villard and other wealthy businessmen in the city.

Dolph's brother, Cyrus Abda Dolph, (1840-1914) was also a prominent attorney in Portland, who followed Joseph as Portland City Attorney, and who was, during the 1880s, a member of the law firm, Dolph, Bellinger, Mallory and Simon, and, during the 1890s, of Dolph, Mallory and Simon. While his brother Joseph and his family lived in Washington, DC, serving as a Senator, Cyrus lived in the grand house on the southwest corner of 5th and Jefferson.

PCAD id: 22729