With Nancy J. Farrier
 |
| Henry Pittock |
 |
| Georgiana Pittock |
In 1853, Henry Lew Pittock traveled from Pennsylvania to
Oregon. He was 19, “barefoot and penniless,” and found a job working for the
Weekly Oregonian
newspaper. In 1860, he married 15-year-old, Georgiana Burton
of Missouri, who had come west with her family six years before. The couple
began a life long commitment to their family and community. They were married
58 years and had six children and eighteen grandchildren. They community
service efforts were well known.
The same year Henry and Georgiana married, Henry became the
owner of the Weekly Oregonian. He changed the newspaper from a weekly to a
daily print. He built an empire through real estate, banking, railroads,
steamboats, sheep ranching, silver mining and the pulp and paper industry.
Georgiana had many interests and concerns of her own. She
did much to improve the lives of women and children in the Portland community.
She was instrumental in the founding of the Ladies Relief Society in 1867. The
LRS provided a Children’s Home that reached out to needy children with food,
care and shelter.
 |
| View of Portland from Mansion |
Both Georgiana and Henry loved the outdoors. Georgiana loved
flowers and gardening. Henry loved horses and rode in the Portland Rose
Festival Parade. He also loved hiking and was a member of the first party to
climb to the top of Mt. Hood.
In 1909, Henry and Georgiana began planning their mansion,
 |
| Pittock Mansion |
which would be built on a hill overlooking the Willamette River. The mansion
was completed in 1914. The house had many design influences: Turkish, English
and French. Because of their love for their community, the Pittocks hired
Oregon craftsmen and artisans to work on their house. They also used Northwest
materials as much as possible.
 |
| Pittock Mansion Back |
 |
| Gate House |
The mansion was situated on 46 acres, and nearly 1,000 feet
above downtown Portland. The estate also had a three-car garage, a greenhouse,
and an Italianate gate lodge, which provided a residence for the servants. The
house is 16,000 square feet and
has 46 rooms. When the Pittocks moved in, nine
family members moved in with them, so three families were living there at the
same time.
 |
| Clock in Mansion |
 |
| Marble Staircase |
The Pittock’s only resided in their mansion for four years.
Georgiana died in 1918 and Henry died in 1919. The family maintained the residence
until their grandson decided to sell the property in 1958. The home fell into
disrepair and the threat of demolition stirred some concerned citizens.
For the drawing I will be giving away a copy of The Immigrant Brides or your choice of one of my books. To enter, please leave a comment. I would love to know if you have ever visited the Pittock Mansion. If not, what historic mansion have you visited? What fascinates you most about these older houses?
Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in
Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its
interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and one
grandson. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play
with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen
Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her
books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The people of Portland fought to raise the money to restore
and keep the landmark. Portland women held bake sales, teas and luncheons to
raise money. When the women went to the city officials to state that they were
still short of the needed funds, the city of Portland decided to purchase the mansion
and grounds anyway. 
