Mail Tribune News - If you've got a lot, you can get this house

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2000-09-14

Document text

If you've got a lot, you can get this house By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- You won't find it on the Multiple Listing Service, but this unique Ashland property might be described as a historic bargain even among fixer-uppers. A dollar, a vacant piece of land and a big truck is all you need to be the proud new owner of the historic Beach-Good house at 66 N. Second St., next to Trinity Episcopal Church. The church, which owns the house and lot on the corner of Second Street and Lithia Way, has expansion plans which don't include the three-bedroom cottage with Queen Anne details. "We could demolish it but we would rather not," said Sally Cole, a member of the church vestry. "We would rather see someone move it -- someone live in it." Cole says the house needs new wiring, plumbing and a roof. Historic preservation advocates familiar with the structure say it's in good shape, except for several rear additions that would probably have to be removed. As a member of the church, historian Kay Atwood says she understands the church's desire to do something with the property. After encouraging the church to incorporate it into their plans, she is now urging them not to prematurely clear the lot. "I have .. encouraged the church to be sensitive that they have one of Ashland's historic resources," said Atwood. "It's a another piece of our history that we're going to lose piece by piece." The house was probably built soon after prominent Ashland builder Baldwin Beach purchased the property in May 1894. In 1905, he sold it to David and Nettie Good, who ran a goods transfer and storage business. David Good served several years as chief of police and fire chief about the same time. Most of the house's neighbors were moved or demolished in the mid-1950s when the city constructed Lithia Way -- the northbound street through downtown Ashland. Trinity Episcopal would like to eventually build a youth center and extend the parish hall behind the church toward Lithia Way. More space is needed, Cole said, for its many church and community programs. The church is host to two free food programs, an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, rehearsal space for a gay men's chorus and two Alzheimer's respite meetings weekly. "The only urgency is that we don't want it to deteriorate any further," said Cole. The house has stood vacant for the last several years. It was the home for many years of the Morgan family of Morgan's Appliance. Cole has no plans for an auction if more than one individual is interested in the house. "Well, we'd maybe have to toss a coin," she said. Anyone interested in the house should call Sally Cole at 488-1957. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA