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MCM Architects photographs and design documents for Forest Heights, Portland, Oregon

 Collection
Identifier: Org. Lot 1156

Scope and Contents

Collection of materials related to the Forest Heights subdivision in Portland, Oregon. The materials were created and compiled by MCM Architects of Portland, which oversaw some of the design work of the development. Materials include photographs, slides, and negatives depicting the interiors and exteriors of houses, renderings of house styles, and construction of the subdivision. The collection also includes specifications, architectural guidelines, and construction regulations.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1988-1994

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical note

In the early 1970s, developers planned a large subdivision of luxury homes on the edge of Forest Park, in Portland, Oregon's West Hills. Originally called Forest Park Estate, the development was stalled until the late 1980s due to land use and planning issues. In 1988, the development was purchased from Forest Park Estate Joint Venture, whose major partner was Homer Williams, for $13.3 million by residents of the small South Pacific island republic of Nauru (incorporated as Nauru Phosphate Royalties (Portland) Inc.). The islanders' native land was growing uninhabitable due to years of guano production. Renamed Forest Heights, the subdivision was intended as an upscale venue with several phases of expansion. Strict guidelines for design and landscaping were adopted by the developers.

Extent

0.45 Cubic Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection of photographs and architectural documents related to the Forest Heights subdivision in Portland, Oregon. The images depict the interiors and exteriors of houses, renderings of house styles, and construction of the subdivision.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of MCM Architects, March 2012 (Lib. Acc. 27571).

Related Materials

For additional photographs of Forest Heights construction and houses, see Pamela Webb collection, Org. Lot 1219, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Processing Information

Collection was titled "Photographs and slides of Forest Heights, Portland, Oregon" prior to August 2023.

Title
Guide to the MCM Architects photographs and design documents for Forest Heights, Portland, Oregon
Status
Completed
Date
2012; revised 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240