Comments for Alameda Old House History

Comment on Mystery building at NE 24th and Stanton has always been a “telephone exchange” by Bart Wilson

Bart Wilson — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:19:02 +0000

Pat, my sister, is right. The hill seemed much steeper than what it looks like in the picture. It was covered in grass and we paid little attention to the signs saying it was private property.
On warm nights in the 50′s and 60′s the employees would open the windows (the building was staffed all night and there was no AC). Our parents also opened their windows to keep cool, but the noise was a constant irritant. I guess it took a lot of angry phone calls, but eventually the building was air conditioned and the windows sealed shut (the phone co even gave my dad a tour of the building so he could see for himself that the windows had been sealed).
There’s a similar story of my dad objecting to the fact that all the parking spaces on both sides of Stanton were taken up by the employees. I think that may have been one reason why a parking lot was built.

Comment on Mystery building at NE 24th and Stanton has always been a “telephone exchange” by Pat

Pat — Sun, 13 May 2012 01:41:50 +0000

I lived at 24th and Stanton across the street from the building. It always seem like a mystery building to us kids and we use to roll down it’s slopping lawn playing “King of the Mountain”. I remember when they built the additional parking lot on the north side and we always use to try to peak in the windows to no avail. Also toured the huge banks of switching gear which was pretty amazing as a child.

Comment on Grant Park Grocery & Market by John

John — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:46:17 +0000

Spence Lightfoot as I recall ran the Market. And I think Mr. Killian ran the Pharmacy.

Comment on Kenneth L. Birkemeier 1905-1996 by Doug

Doug — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:23:50 +0000

Hi Miranda. Thanks for visiting. If you send me your address via e-mail, I will have a look at building and plumbing permits and see if we can find out who built your house. I would also suggest you check out the “resources” tab on my website for suggestions on how you can investigate the history of your house. You can reach me at doug@alamedahistory.org
-Doug

Comment on Kenneth L. Birkemeier 1905-1996 by Miranda Zambon

Miranda Zambon — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:20:42 +0000

Hello! I found your website via the Sunday paper, and although this site is primarily about the Alameda area, I was wondering if you could advise on how to find out the builder of a home? Reading about Kenneth Birkemeier and especially after seeing the drawing above, I’m curious if he built our house here in the Cedar Hills area. The seller called it a custom built home which was built in 1960, and it has almost the exact same fireplace as in the above drawing. The house has varying ceiling heights, custom kitchen cabinets and paneling that have beautiful veneers in which the wood grain continues from piece to piece. Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comment on Kenneth L. Birkemeier 1905-1996 by Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:52:29 +0000

I spent the year for the age of 8 to 18 in one of Ken Birkemeiers apartment buildings. It is now a condo building located at 5715 NE Sacramento. We were the first to live in to the 10 unit building, known then as The Boulders. Bruce built a five unit building next door, called The Flintstone.

Comment on GArfield 2 8 2 0 by bonniehull

bonniehull — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:27:07 +0000

…and in the REALLY old days we said “Wilmette 2820″…xo

Comment on Mystery building at NE 24th and Stanton has always been a “telephone exchange” by Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:41:13 +0000

The loading dock was a popular spot for skateboarders in the late 80s and early 90s … we couldn’t believe that there was never anyone coming out to chase us away. Eventually a barrier was put up that put an end to skateboarding there …

Comment on Alameda Street Names by Doug

Doug — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:20:13 +0000

Rolf: I think you are looking for Eugene Snyder’s “Portland Names and Neighborhoods: Their Historic Origins,” published in 1979 by Binford and Mort Publishing, Portland. Copies are in the Multnomah County Library system. I have a much-used and loved copy as well, which I found at Powell’s (used copies do turn up there from time to time). If you can tell me what street you are interested in, I can look it up for you.

-Doug

Comment on Alameda Street Names by Rolf Glerum

Rolf Glerum — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:50:32 +0000

I am seeking an out-of-print book or pamphlet on Portland Street Names and the history of the individuals the streets are named after. Google, MC Library, OHS, Amazon or Powell’s can’t seem to come up with it. Can someone out there help?