Lee House - Junction City, OR
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
N 44° 13.180 W 123° 12.228
10T E 483720 N 4896290
The Lee House, a portion of which was built in 1873 and relocated to this site, was home to Junction City's first doctor.
Waymark Code: WMYN7X
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 07/02/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member bluesnote
Views: 0

Two sources tell us that the historic Lee House Museum contains a back portion that was relocated to its current site: The National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form as well as a placard that hangs in front of the museum entrance. The NRHP Nomination Form tells us (with relocation info in bold):

Junction City was established in about 1870 when Ben Holladay planned his railroad through the west side of the Willamette Valley. Dr. Norman L. Lee and many residents of the nearby town, Lancaster, moved their businesses and houses to Junction City when they realized that the railroad would bypass their town. Dr. Lee's house, used as his residence and office, was architecturally similar to many other Willamette Valley houses built during the same period.

Ben Holladay, the colorful transportation magnate of Oregon, had taken control of the Oregon and California Railroad in 1869 and was building the route from Portland through the east side of the Willamette Valley. In about 1870, Holladay conceived of a westside railroad that would join the eastside route at some point north of Eugene. After studying the possibilities, Junction City was decided upon as the "junction" point. Junction City literally developed as a transportation town and its nearby neighbor, Lancaster (a shipping point on the Willamette River), faded into oblivion. The eastside railroad finally passed through Junction City late in 1871, but the westside route was not established until much later. Fifty years later, when the Pacific Highway 99 was constructed through the Willamette Valley, the east and west branches appropriately joined at Junction City.

Dr. Norman L. Lee moved to Junction City from Lancaster in 1871. His house was moved from Lancaster, as was the post office and several business buildings. After Dr. Lee retired from his practice, the house/office was used by three later doctors in Junction City. Because of its use as the local doctor's office, the Lee House has strong local significance.

Architecturally, the Lee House most closely fits in the late Greek Revival Style, but it is more correctly referred to as a "western farm house" (as in the descriptive section). The Junction City Historical Society has tastefully restored the Lee House and they are currently using it as their museum. The plain yet attractive architectural style and its historical relationship to Junction City makes the Lee House an appropriate local landmark.

Norman L. Lee (ca. 1834-1919) was the son of Philester Lee, an Oregon Trail pioneer of 1847 who took up a donation land claim in Lebanon. Norman L. Lee enlisted for service in the Civil War as a member of Company F, First Regiment, Oregon Infantry. Later, during Indian uprisings 1865-1866, he was stationed at Ft. Lapwai in Idaho. While at the latter post he studied medicine and surgery under Dr. George K. Smith, U.S. Army surgeon. Lee then went on to study at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and was graduated in 1871. He enjoyed a long and successful career, having practiced medicine in Lancaster, Lebanon and Junction City prior to his demise in 1919 at the age of 85.

The placard hanging in front of the museum entrance tells us:

Lee House

1872

This picturesque building was the home of the city's first doctor. The home’s one story back part was built prior to 1872 and was pulled by horses from the nearby community of Lancaster, about 2 miles northeast on Highway 99E. The two-story section was built in the 1870’s. The front parlor served as a medical office to Dr. N. L. Lee and later on to Doctors Love, Allumbaugh and Parrot. Many of our citizens were born in this house. The Junction City Historical Society bought the house in 1972 and restored the front porch, the balcony and floors. This lovely place now serves as a community museum.

You may visit this museum house for free. Their website (below) gives visiting hours and other information. This house is the only structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Junction City.

Original Location: N 44° 15.215 W 123° 11.740

How it was moved: Wheels / Dolly / Truck

Type of move: City to City

Related Website: [Web Link]

Building Status: Not listed

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