National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet

NPS Form 10-900-A 0MB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section Number: _7_ Page: 43 Geneva-Minnesota Historic District, Medford, OR
is occasionally called the "chalet-style" variant of the Craftsman period. Windows are 4/1 casement
with some diamond pattern leaded panels also present. The massive front entry door, nearly 48"
wide adds to the design. An original rear screened porch and matching gable roof garage are located
to the rear.
The original owner of the subject property was Millard D. Olds, owner of the Owens-Olds Lumber
Company, predecessor of what is today the MEDCO Corporation, a large-scale timber and plywood
mill with operations in the Rogue Valley as well as Ireland and elsewhere. Olds, of Michigan, does
not appear to have ever lived in the house, which was long the home of G.L. Burhman, Olds son-in-
law, and his wife, Florence Olds Burhman. Burhman likely worked in some capacity at the family
mill but city directories indicate the family had left the area by 1930, after which the house was
apparently rented. In 1935 Henry "Bert" Thierolf lived here, probably during construction of the
family's house on Oakdale.(See Site 10). During the 1940s Fritz and Ethel Nissan lived in the house
and operated a health clinic on the second floor called "Nissan's Institute of Health." 121 In 1945,
following Millard Olds' death, the children sold the property. In 1945, Caryl and Annie Van
Valzah, long time residents, bought the property. 122
The G.L. and Florence Olds Burhman House remains substantially as built and accurately relates its
original construction, use of materials and appearance. Located at the visible entrance to the district
from East Main, the house is a promient landmark locally and is a highly significant visual element
with the Geneva-Minnesota District.
ID No: 038
Historic Name: Dentist Office/Knight House Site Year Built: 1957
Address: 801 East Main St. Legal: 37S-1W-30AB, Tax Lot 16500
Humphrey-Knight Addn, Block 2, Lot(s) 11
Architect: Haydenkirk, Paul [Seattle] Builder(s): Jones, Meyer
Style: Non-Compatible/Non-Contributing
Originally the site of the Clarence A. and Cora L. Knight house, the original building was
demolished in 1957 for the construction of the present professional office.
Clarence Knight, one of the original developers of the addition that bears his name, lived in the
location as early as 1912. In succeeding years H.M. McFarland, a Vermont-based financier who was
heavily involved in various businesses ventures with Knight, was the actual property owner however
Knight remained the occupant for the remainder of his life. Knight built a small real estate office to
the rear of the property and was involved in a variety of other business pursuits, most prominently
121 Denman, op. cit.
122 JCD 260:400, June 1945.