We’ve added two more builder biographies to our growing collection of Portland area home builders from the early 20th Century: A.C. Galbraith, a prolific builder of small bungalows, based in St. Johns; and W.H Dunn, a retired Canadian wheat-grower-turned-builder who started his building career late and operated in Irvington, Alameda and Laurelhurst.
Both were in early on the building boom of the 1920s. Both worked mostly from standard plan sets. Both built most of their houses on speculation, without a contract or particular client in mind on faith the house would sell. And both were crushed by the Great Depression, like so many builders.
Their trials and accomplishments add to our understanding of the times.
More builder profiles to follow (we love doing these) and appreciate the suggestions from readers. If you haven’t read the bio of Harry Phillips and the recent comments from his great-great granddaughter who found our profile of Harry, do check it out.
Alameda Old House History 
Hello, More to add, I think this is correct:
The Rice Brothers, Archie and Robert. One an architect , the other a builder. For our house at 2426 NE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
Diane and Kevin Nolting
January 18, 2024 Doug: Some years ago you offered a bio of the architect/builder who created our home: Kenneth Birkemeier (not certain of the spelling). We have visited a number of his homes in the Portland area and I was given a listing of his area creations which has dozens and dozens of properties. Is your bio still available in some form? Also, his creations feature a number of features similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes, but I can find no official link between the two. Any thoughts on this? Regards, Donn L. Dennis
Hi Donn. You can find Ken Birkemeier’s bio on The Builders page: https://alamedahistory.org/the-builders/kenneth-l-kenny-birkemeier-1905-1996/
Regarding a connection with FLW: pretty sure they never met, but Prairie School design elements echo through the work of many architects and builders.
Hi Doug,
There are a couple houses floating around the neighborhood whose background I’ve always wondered about due to their not very Portland-y style (it’s the Mediterranean arched windows that make me assume they are related). I went through the pages you’ve put together to see if could find the builder, but did not find an address match. One of the them has just gone up for sale: 3891 NE Alameda.
Might you know the builder?
Thanks!
Hi Alexis. 3891 NE Alameda (formerly known as 1159 The Alameda before the Great Renumbering of the early 1930s) was built in the spring of 1926 by Timby & Co., which was owned by Lee M. Timby.