The Absolom Riggs House is a historic Italianate-style farmhouse located near North Plains in Washington County, Oregon, United States. Built in 1880, it is a prominent example of rural Italianate architecture in Oregon and is significant for its association with Absolom Riggs, an early settler and influential farmer in the region. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1986.
Location
The Absolom Riggs House is situated at 23419 NW Clapshaw Hill Road, North Plains, Washington County, Oregon. It lies in a rural setting, characteristic of its original agricultural context.
History
Absolom Riggs, a native of Indiana, migrated to Oregon in 1852. He established a substantial farm in Washington County, becoming a prosperous wheat farmer and a respected member of the local community. By the late 1870s, Riggs commissioned the construction of this grand Italianate residence to serve as his family home. The house was completed in 1880 (some sources suggest 1881). Riggs continued to reside in the house until his death in 1905, and it remained in the Riggs family for several decades thereafter.
Architecture
The Absolom Riggs House is a two-story wood-frame structure designed in the Italianate style, which was popular in the United States from the 1840s to the 1880s. Key architectural features include:
- Low-pitched hipped roof: Characteristic of Italianate designs.
- Wide overhanging eaves: Supported by decorative brackets, a hallmark of the style.
- Tall, narrow windows: Often featuring segmental arch lintels, contributing to the vertical emphasis.
- Cupola: A square, windowed structure atop the roof, providing light and ventilation, and serving as a decorative element.
- Symmetry: The main facade often exhibits a balanced and symmetrical arrangement of windows and doors.
- Wood siding: Typically clapboard or shiplap, painted in light colors.
The house has largely retained its original architectural integrity, showcasing the craftsmanship and design principles of its era.
Significance
The Absolom Riggs House holds local and regional significance primarily for two reasons:
- Architectural Significance: It is an exceptionally well-preserved and distinctive example of a late 19th-century Italianate farmhouse in rural Oregon. Its architectural details, including the cupola and elaborate bracketing, make it a notable specimen of the style.
- Historical Significance: The house is associated with Absolom Riggs, an important early settler and prominent farmer in Washington County. It represents the prosperity and aspirations of successful agriculturalists during Oregon's period of rapid development.
Its architectural and historical merits led to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places on January 2, 1986 (NRHP reference number 86000002). The house remains a private residence.