National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet

NPSForm10-900-A
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86)
Section Number: _J7_ Page: 19 Geneva-Minnesota Historic District, Medford, OR
ID No: 014
Historic Name: William & Anna Gates House
Address: 31 Crater Lake Ave
Architect:
Style: Bungalow
Year Built: c. 1916
Legal: 37S-1W-30AB, Tax Lot 14100
Humphrey-Andrews Addn, Block 2, Lot(s) 2
Builder(s):
Secondary Contributing
Sanbora Fire Insurance Maps, as well as city directories, indicate a structure at 31 Crater Lake
Avenue as early as 1913 however it does not appear that the present structure was built until three
years later, possibly following a fire that destroyed the earlier building.47 The one story gable roof
structure, designed in a typical low-profile bungalow style, rests upon an unusual sandstone
foundation which may be a remnant of the earlier structure. Siding is mixed 6" horizontal drop and
wood shingle with 6-light casement windows set in bands. A recessed entry, and protruding gable
wing with paired French doors are located along the northern elevation. Historic photographs reveal
a modest alteration that removed a portal-type window just to the south of the porch, apparently one
that lit an interior closet.
Although probably originally built for a single woman, Berna Roberts, in 1920 the subject property
was acquired by William "Bill" and Anna Gates, a couple who remained here until the 1960s. 48 Bill
Gates, younger brother of Charles E. "Pop" Gates, had first arrived in the Rogue Valley with his
brother and became a partner in the Gates Ford agency. During this period, Bill lived at 113 Geneva
(Site 28), just down from Pop's house at 31 Geneva.49 Eventually Bill built a larger house at 202
South Orange Street, on Medford's west side, similar in design to the subject property. Selling his
portion of the Ford agency to Pop in 1919, Bill moved east for a short period. In November 1920 the
Mail Tribune announced;
The new Economy Groceteria...opens tomorrow. This is the new style grocery,
where you wait on yourself and pay the cashier....W.A. Gates, who sold his
interests here last year and went east, was so impressed with the success of this
class of grocery... that he made a study of the methods and returned to Medford
to establish one. He associated with him Mr. Lydiard, who has been in the
grocery business here for years. 50
47 During the entire historic period what is now "Crater Lake Avenue" was named "Roosevelt Avenue." The
name was apparently only changed in the mid-1920s, probably as part of the streets connection with what is
now the Crater Lake Highway, heading east from Medford toward Eagle Point and, eventually, Oregon's
only National Park. For clarity all references will use the present, "Crater Lake Avenue" address.
48 Certificate of Tide, 13-November-1920.
49 Coupled with the house of Pop's son, George, at 830 Minnesota, the Gates family was thus associated at
various times with four separate residences within the Geneva-Minnesota District.
50 :"Groceteria Opens Here Tomorrow," Medford Mail Tribune, 19-November-1920, 3:3. See Site No. 3 for