A fine example of late Victorian architecture, the Hughes ranch house is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1898 by P.J. Lindberg, it
was a celebration of 38 years of hard work by Patrick and Jane Hughes.
The historic Hughes ranch house is a two story, eleven room house solidly framed
of 2x8 old growth Port Orford cedar. The rectangular structure with cross axial
wings, has over 3,000 square feet, and was constructed in 1898 at a cost for
$3,800.
The house stands on a terrace on the north side of Cape Blanco. There are vistas
of the distant hills, the Pacific Ocean, the Sixes River and the fields above
and below. This location protects the house from the worst of the winter
southwesters, but northwesters are still frequent visitors.
Guests now as then enter the front hall where soft light from a rose colored
gaslight is reflected in the polished dark wood spindles and shiny balusters of
the central stairway. The sharp odor of homemade furniture polish—probably equal
parts turpentine, linseed oil and vinegar—lingers in the air.
Visitors would be seated in the formal guest parlor, decorated in shades of
rose. The front parlor was the most public and significant room of a Victorian
house. Reflecting the wealthy status of the Hughes family, the fireplace in this
room has a shallow firebox designed to burn coal rather than cheaper and easily
obtained wood.
The men's parlor was well-used. Simply furnished, it was here the men retired at
day's end to catch up on bookwork and reading. The central focus of the room is
a massive wood-burning fireplace, making it one of the warmest rooms in the
house.
For the most part, it was the men who gathered around the large table in the
dining room. Jane, and later Annie, spent a great deal of time in the spacious
kitchen fixing meals for the men. A cheery place to work, it was warmed by a
great cast iron wood cook stove. Adjoining the kitchen and dining room is a
pass-thru-pantry with storage bins for the large quantities of staples they
purchased.
Also on the first floor is the master bedroom and bath. While electricity was
late in coming (1942), the house was built with indoor plumbing. Water heated by
the kitchen stove provided the enjoyment of a warm bath. The room still has the
original wood trimmed claw-footed tub. Origin of the hand-painted ceiling is
unknown.
A beautiful mahogany banister leads the way to the second floor where the most
interesting feature is the chapel. John Hughes was a Roman Catholic priest
serving a parish in Portland. The altar is believed to be original. The worn rug
on the floor probably came from another room. Origin of the hand-painted ceiling
is unknown.
Edward, Thomas and Francis each had a room on this floor. When Francis married,
he and Annie used the oddly-shaped room for their only child Joseph. The largest
room was set aside for guests. It was the fanciest of all the bedrooms and
well-used by friends of the Hughes family.
Visit Hughes House April 1 through October 31 - 10 am to 3:30 pm
Closed Monday |
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