Coast River Business Journal

Statistics:

Late 19^th century example of the Italianate style of architecture, the Judge Charles H. Page House, located at 1393 Franklin St., encompasses some 2,400 sq. ft. of living space on two floors. The basement includes a 499 sq. ft. accessory rental unit.

Historical significance:

The house was built in 1879 for Astoria businessman Hiram Brown as a wedding gift for his daughter, Annie Brown, and her new husband, Judge Charles H. Page. The original structure consisted of only the front two-thirds of the house, with a one-story lean-to

The historic Judge Charles H. Page House is an example of the late 1800s Italianate style of architecture. Photo: Greg Cohen

In the 1930s, the dwelling was turned into a business school and during the Second World War the structure was divided into five separate apartments. By the late 1960s, the house deteriorated to the point that it attracted transients and ultimately faced demolition.

The structure was saved from the wrecking ball by Bruce Birney, a pioneer in home restoration. He purchased it in 1966 for his mother, Vera Gault, and in 1969 started restoring it back to its 1903 configuration.

Local architect John Goodenberger, a leading historian on Astoria’s early architecture, described the Judge Page House as one of the best examples of "early efforts in historic preservation."

The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Completed projects:

Since purchasing the home in 1996, Steve and Kim Nurding have undertaken numerous restoration projects themselves. Steve built an accessory rental unit in the basement and installed oak floors in several rooms and crown molding in the living room. The couple also restored five working gas light fixtures in the house, installed marble floor in the entry, faux graining, wainscot and an antique toilet, retiled a back shower and repaired window counterweights.

Local contractors:

Astoria contractor John Carriere installed the sheetrock for the basement apartment. Wadsworth Electric of Astoria installed new wiring in the dwelling.

Challenges:

Steve, a mechanical engineer at the Georgia Pacific paper mill at Wauna, said his training and experience proved to be tremendous assets time and again during his various restoration projects. He said he also found workshops offered by the Lower Columbia Preservation Society and specifically geared for owners of older homes to be a valuable resource when tackling some of his projects.

Importance of restoration:

For Kim, the main challenge in owning an historic home is deciding "how to preserve it."

Unlike a brand new home, "you have a different appreciation" for a dwelling with a long history, she said. "It’s not a possession we own, but a stewardship we have."

Added Steve: "In a new house, I would (make any changes) I wanted. But in an old house, you ask yourself ‘What does the house need?’

"It’s opened a whole new world for us," Steve said. "We’ve lived our fantasy for 15 years. It’s been a lot of fun."