Alvin T. Smith House

The Alvin T. Smith House is a two-story neoclassical residence with classical columns and symmetrical proportions. The structure combines rough-hewn timber logs held together with wooden pegs and classical facade details throughout.

The house was built in 1854 by carpenter Alvin T. Smith, one of Forest Grove's first permanent residents. Smith developed land in the Tualatin Plains and helped establish early settlement in the region.

The house shows how early settlers brought ideas from the East Coast and adapted them to what they found locally. The mix of classical columns and rough timber reveals how people combined tradition with practical necessity.

The house sits on South Elm Street and displays typical features of settler dwellings from this period. The basement served as essential storage space for preserving food through winter.

The building was acquired and restored by the Friends of Historic Forest Grove in 2005. During restoration, the basement revealed unexpected remnants of recent misuse that had to be cleaned away.

Location: Forest Grove

Inception: 1854

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Floors above the ground: 2

Address: 686 South Elm Street

GPS coordinates: 45.50417,-123.10389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:16