Rigler School (Portland, Oregon)

Title: Rigler School (Portland, Oregon)
LC Subject: Architecture, American Architecture--United States
Alternative: Rigler Elementary School (Portland, Oregon)
Creator: Jones, George H.
Creator Display: George Howell Jones (architect, 1887-1950)
Description: This image is included in Building Oregon: Architecture of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, a digital collection which provides documentation about the architectural heritage of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Historic Site Form. Prepared by Iris Eschen.
Provenance: University of Oregon Libraries
Temporal: 1930-1939
Style Period: Italianate (North American architecture styles )
Work Type: architecture (object genre) built works views (visual works) exterior views public schools (buildings) architectural drawings (visual works) plans (orthographic projections) plans, floor
Latitude: 45.555576
Longitude: -122.607324
Location: Portland >> Multnomah County >> Oregon >> United States Multnomah County >> Oregon >> United States Oregon >> United States United States
Street Address: 5401 NE Prescott Street
Date: 1931
View Date: 2009
Identifier: OR_Multnomah_Portland_Rigler.pdf
Rights: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Type: Image
Format: application/pdf
Material: Brick; Concrete
Set: Building Oregon
Primary Set: Building Oregon
Institution: University of Oregon
Citation: PPS Historic Building Assessment 2009
Note: Oregon Historic Site Form Rigler School 5401 Prescott St Portland, Multnomah County block nbr: lot nbr: tax lot nbr: township: range: section: 1/ 4: LOCATION AND PROPERTY NAME elig. evaluation: eligible/ significant primary orig use: School secondary orig use: primary style: Mediterranean Revival secondary style: primary siding: Standard Brick secondary siding: Concrete: Other/ Undefined plan type: School ( General) Portland historic name: Rigler School primary constr date: 1931 secondary date: height (# stories): 2 total # ineligible resources: 1 ( optional-- use for major addns) current/ other names: Rigler Elementary School ( c.) ( c.) orig use comments: prim style comments: sec style comments: location descr: assoc addresses: vcnty address: ( remote sites) siding comments: PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS farmstead/ cluster name: zip: total # eligible resources: 5 apprx. addrs resource type: Building NR status: RLS survey date: 6/ 26/ 2009 external site #: 276 ( ID# used in city/ agency database) survey project name or other grouping name comments/ notes: ILS survey date: 6/ 26/ 2009 Gen File date: SHPO INFO FOR THIS PROPERTY NR date listed: GROUPINGS / ASSOCIATIONS Optional Information 5401 NE Prescott St Multnomah County ( former addresses, intersections, etc.) architect: Jones, George H. builder: NR date listed: ( indiv listed only; see Grouping for hist dist) 106 Project( s) PPS Historic Building Assessment 2009 Survey & Inventory Project South elevation Printed on: 10/ 14/ 2009 Page 1 of 4 Oregon Historic Site Form Rigler School 5401 Prescott St Portland, Multnomah County ARCHITECTURAL / PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ( Include expanded description of the building/ property, setting, significant landscape features, outbuildings, and alterations) Description Summary Situated in the primarily single family residential neighborhood of Northeast Portland, the Rigler Elementary School at 5401 NE Prescott Street is located on a 9.2- acre campus that consists of a two- story school building ( 276A) and four detached portable/ modular ( 276 P1,2,3,4) classrooms. Built in 1931, the Mediterranean Revival style building with minor Art Deco influences and a pantile roof is a reinforced concrete structure with brick veneer and cast stone ornamentation. The building’s modified L- shaped plan includes classrooms, a library, an auditorium, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and an administrative office. Architectural Description Situated in the primarily single family residential neighborhood of Northeast Portland, the Rigler Elementary School is located at 5401 NE Prescott Street. The Rigler Elementary School, which faces NE Prescott Street, is situated on a grass- covered and asphalt 9.2- acre campus with play fields, a play shed, and playgrounds north and west of the school. The school facilities consist of a two- story school building ( 276A) and four detached portable/ modular ( 276 P1,2,3,4) classrooms. During the mid- 1950s, a one story brick addition was constructed onto the rear ( east wing) of the building. The school’s parking area is located to the southwest of the main building. The two- story school building with a ground floor basement is oriented on an east- west axis. The reinforced concrete building is covered with variegated brick. The rectangular mass of the building sits on a concrete foundation. Polygonal bays project from the front and side elevations. The building features Mediterranean Revival style detailing with Art Deco influences. Red pantiles cover the roof. The windows and doors feature cast stone surrounds. The recessed main entrance has an arched window above the door capped with voussoirs and keystones. An ornamented cast stone panel inscribed with the school’s name is located above the door. The north ( rear) elevation is highlighted by a brick- cladded stack that extends from the boiler room. The windows consist primarily of symmetrically placed metal frame replacement windows with a horizontal sliding opening at the bottom of each window. Divided into three horizontal sections, the upper section of each window is blocked off with louvered vents. Single and double leaf metal doors replaced the original wooden fixed- pane entry doors. The interior layout of the school consists of a modified L- shaped hallway plan on both floors. The double- loaded hallways feature marble splash guards behind the water fountains, wooden display cases, unpainted molding and framing, and built- in metal lockers. Most of the wood molding and framing is intact and in superb condition. The 2nd floor hallway in the original section of the building is in good condition although the molding is painted and lockers were added. Flooring consists of original linoleum. The original single leaf wood doors provide access to the classrooms from the hallways. The 1955 wing hallway has a narrow configuration, tiled and plaster veneer walls, and unpainted, wooden doors, framing and molding. While some of the 1st/ 2nd story landing arched windows were replaced, the stairwells retain their original concrete steps and landings, plaster veneer walls, wooden railings and molding, and steam radiators. The majority of classrooms retain their original configuration, height, wooden doors, linoleum tile floors, clean- up alcoves, and wooden built- ins and closets. The wood framing and molding has been painted. The 1955 wing classrooms have wooden built- ins and closets, and unpainted wood molding and framing. The auditorium, located on the 1st floor, features many original details including the stage, boxed ceiling, and wall light fixtures. New ceiling fixtures have been introduced. The original seating is intact but the front rows were removed. The room is illuminated by original wood frame semi-circular/ arched multi- light windows. The gymnasium, located on the first floor, retains its original configuration and height including a high bay ceiling supported by steel trusses. The facility has brick walls, built- in lockers, and wood frame multi- light double hung sash windows. The building is heated by steam boilers located in the ground floor basement facing north. Radiators with metal covers are found in the hallways, stairwells and in the classrooms. Grilles set in the wall provide heat and cool air for the basement rooms. Cool air is pushed through the building’s vents by compressor- powered fans. Constructed in the late 1940s, the 4 portables are located west of the main building. The buildings are wood frame with hip roofs and vertical panel cladding. Fenestration consists of three- pane wood frame hinged windows and single leaf wood doors. The classrooms have minimal built- in classroom furnishings and cabinetry. Alterations/ Integrity The first major additions/ modifications to the school occurred when the 1955 wing was added to the north side of the school. The first major additions/ modifications to the interior occurred during the mid- 1970s, in the northeast and northwest wings. In 1976, there was major interior remodeling of the auditorium, library, and of the classrooms and hallways. In 1987, metal frame windows replaced most of the original wood frame multi- light windows ( Rigler Facility Plan, Profile). The Rigler School maintains a moderate degree of integrity. The one- story, 1955 brick rear wing is located on the road and is compatible with the building’s historic scale, design, features and materials. While most of the windows were replaced, the original arched/ semi- circular windows are present in the auditorium, gymnasium, and several of the stairwell landings. The school’s variegated brick cladding, red pantile roof, and cast stone Printed on: 10/ 14/ 2009 Page 2 of 4 Oregon Historic Site Form Rigler School 5401 Prescott St Portland, Multnomah County HISTORY ( Chronological, descriptive history of the property from its construction through at least the historic period [ preferably to the present]) RESEARCH INFORMATION Title Records Sanborn Maps Obituaries City Directories Census Records Biographical Sources Newspapers Building Permits Property Tax Records SHPO Files State Archives State Library Local Histories Interviews Historic Photographs Local Library: Multnomah County Library University Library: Portland State University Library Historical Society: Oregon Historical Society Other Repository: PPS Archives Bibliography: Bibliography Betelle, James O. “ Architectural Styles as Applied to School Buildings.” American School Board Journal. Vol. 58 ( April 1919). Cremin, Lawrence. The Transformation of the School: Progressivism in American Education, 1876- 1957. New York: A. Knopt, 1961. Cubberley, Ellwood Patterson. The Portland Survey: A Textbook on City School Administration Based on a Concrete Study. Yonkers- on- Hudson, NY: World Book Co., 1915. Oregonian. “ Mayor Lane and the Schools.” 10- 31- 1906. ( Check all of the basic sources consulted and cite specific important sources) details are intact. Statement of Significance Built in 1931, Rigler School was named in honor of Frank Rigler, the superintendent of Portland Public Schools from 1896- 1913 ( Snyder 1979: 241). The school was constructed for $ 232,538 during a period of progressive era growth that responded to changing city demographics and ideas concerning safety, sanitation, and child centered instruction ( Portland Chronology Binder; Rippa, 1997: passim; Cremin 1961: 135- 153; Cubberley 1915: 283- 290). By 1905, it became increasingly clear that dramatic increases in school- age children outstripped the district’s current classroom capacity and existing schools could not effectively serve areas of the city where new residential development was occurring ( Cubberley 1915: 283- 285, 288- 290). Rigler School was designed by one of the most influential architects hired by Portland Public Schools ( PPS), George Jones. Along with Floyd Naramore, Jones designed a large majority of the schools between 1908 and 1932. Beginning in 1908, with the emergence of the Bureau of Properties, PPS district architects took on a more formalized role in the design and maintenance of school facilities. The Bureau of Properties was created by PPS to centralize management of the district’s properties ( Powers and Corning 1937: 182). For Rigler School, George Jones adopted the building program and principles that dominated the discourse for school design during the first half of the twentieth century. After several well- publicized school fires in U. S. cities, calls for a more fundamental change in the building construction began as early as 1906 ( Oregonian, 10- 31- 1906). Soon after this meeting, on August 16, 1910, the Portland City Council enacted a requirement that all schools constructed after January 1, 1911 would have to be of fire proof construction ( Powers and Corning 1937: 183). By 1914, in the first joint meeting between Portland city officials, Multnomah County Commissioners, and the school board, officials agreed to work with building code officials to encourage the use of fireproof construction and to implement fire safety measures in all existing and future schools ( Oregonian. 03- 31- 1914). Many of Portland’s new fire proof buildings, such as Rigler, were constructed of brick and concrete. While Rigler deviated from the U- shaped plan that was characteristic of schools constructed during this period, the building plan is similar; a long lateral corridor is connected to other wings of the building by short hallways. Like other PPS buildings constructed during this period, Rigler contained more differentiated and increasingly specialized space ( Powers and Corning 1937: 182). Rigler Elementary School was constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style that was popular for educational buildings during the first half of the twentieth- century. Architectural revivals, such as Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, and Collegiate Gothic were viewed as inspirational and appropriate for educational settings ( Betelle 1919: 28; Sibley 1923: 66; Patton 1967: 1- 8). In the late 1940s, four portable classrooms were added to the Rigler School campus to accommodate an increasing number of students. The first major additions/ modifications to the school occurred when the 1955 wing was added to the north side of the school. In the 1970s and 1980s modest alterations occurred in various classrooms and offices. The most substantial alterations occurred in 1987 when the exterior windows were replaced ( Rigler Facility Profile). Rigler School retains its integrity with minimal alterations to its plan and exterior and interior finishes. The 1931 school is recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places ( NRHP) for its association with progressive era public school construction in Portland ( Criterion A). Rigler Elementary School is a good example of the two- story Georgian style school buildings that were constructed during the early- twentieth century. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of the style as applied by George Jones to school buildings in Portland; therefore, it is also eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion C. Printed on: 10/ 14/ 2009 Page 3 of 4 Oregon Historic Site Form Rigler School 5401 Prescott St Portland, Multnomah County Patton, Glenn. “ American Collegiate Gothic: A Phase of University Architectural Development.” Journal of Higher Education. Vol. 38, No. 1 ( January, 1967). Portland Public Schools. School Chronology Binder. PPS Archives, Portland, Oregon. _______. Rigler Elementary School. Facility Plan. _______. Rigler Elementary School. Facility Profile. Powers, Alfred and Howard McKinley Corning, History of Education in Portland. [ Portland]: Work Projects Administration, 1937. Rippa, Alexander. Education in a Free Society: An American History. New York: Longman, 1997. Sanborn Map Company 1924- 1928, 1908- Dec. 1950 Sanborn Maps, Multnomah County Public Library, Portland, Oregon. Available at: https:// catalog. multcolib. org/ validate? url= http% 3A% 2F% 2F0- sanborn. umi. com. catalog. multcolib. org% 3A80% 2F. Accessed June 16, 2009. Sibley, Ernest. “ Why I Prefer the Colonial Style.” School Board Journal: Vol. 66 ( January 1923). Snyder, Eugene E. Portland Names and Neighborhoods. Their Historic Origins. Portland: Binforrd & Mort Publishing; 1st edition 1979. Printed on: 10/ 14/ 2009 Page 4 of 4 South elevation front entry South elevation front entries East elevation addition South elevation front entry South elevation front entry Rigler School Exterior Photos ENTRIX, 2009 Corridor facing west Auditorium facing north Gymnasium facing north Stairwell entry hall Corridor facing south Rigler School Interior Photos ENTRIX, 2009 1924- 1928, Sanborn Fire Insurance Company Map, Portland, Oregon, Map 1226. Arrow points to the old Rigler Public School prior to the construction of the new building. Updated to 1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Company Map, Portland, Oregon, Map 1226. Arrow points to Rigler Public School. Rigler School 5401 NE Prescott St, Portland OR, 97218 Building Periods 1. Original Building ( 276A), 1931 2. Addition ( 276P3, P4), 1947 3. Addition ( 276P1, P2), 1948 4. Addition ( 276A), 1955 Aerial photo © 2009 Metro, Portland OR Imagery Date: July 12, 2007 NE 55th Ave 1932 photograph of the Rigler School, looking north. View Site in Google Maps Historical Significance and Building Integrity Contrib: High Significance Contrib: Moderate Signif. Non- Contributing 0’ 50’ 100’ 200’ N sandy Blvd Lombard st powell Blvd 82nd ave MLK jr b lvd 1 2 2 3 3 4