E.V. Carter

E. V. Carter built the Carter House in Ashland, Oregon. 

He was born in Iowa in 1861 to H.B. and Harriet Carter.  A prominent businessman in Elkader, Iowa, H. B. was the first President of the 1st National Bank of Elkader and later served a term in the Iowa State Senate, commencing 1856. The Carter-Reimer House in Elkader, Iowa is now a National Registry property and Museum.

In 1884, H. B. moved his family to Ashland, Oregon, and incorporated the Bank of Ashland.  Located on the plaza, the bank supplied all banking services in Ashland until 1901.

E. V. Carter would follow in his father’s footsteps – he became President of the U.S. National Bank, and when it merged with the First National Bank of Ashland, he again served as President.

E.V. Carter was elected to the Oregon Legislature for the 20th Session (1898), and was chosen Speaker of the House.  As a State Legislator, he fought hard for Ashland’s educational future, securing the “first legislative appropriation for the Ashland School”.   In 1902 he was elected to the State Senate and helped formulate Oregon’s first banking laws which were enacted in 1909.

E. V.’s wife, Anna, served Ashland’s Public Library for 36 years, participating in its organization in 1891, and working as a librarian and board member.

E. V. Carter’s first home was constructed in 1886 at a cost of $1000. In 1908 Carter moved that house across Siskiyou Boulevard to its present location (next to the fire station).

In May, 1909 the Ashland Daily Tidings announced his plans:

“The array of fine homes on the Boulevard is to be augmented by a new modern residence which the Honorable E.V. Carter will build on his home lots on the corner of Union Street. He has let the contract for the removal of his present dwelling. . . the new domicile will embody the comforts and conveniences of up to date architecture in home building.”

By August, the construction had progressed:

“Honorable E.V. Carter is adding. . . one of the finest specimens of bungalow construction on the site of his old homestead corner of the Boulevard and Union Streets. It has a solid rock foundation and carpenters are now at work on elaborate plans and specifications.”

The Carters were able to move into their new home by Christmas, 1909:

“Honorable E.V. Carter and wife are moving into their new, model bungalow, corner of Boulevard and Union Street. Some of the interior finishing work remains to be completed. It is one of the most modern and complete dwellings yet erected in Ashland, having every convenience and comfort known, and thorough construction work.”

C. W. Fortmiller, the home’s second owner

Following E. V. death in 1933, his widow, Anna Carter, sold their home to Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Fortmiller. The Fortmillers had come to Ashland in 1926 when he became the first manager of the up and coming department store, J.C. Penney and Co.

Mrs. Fortmiller recalls purchasing the house for $4,000.00 and then repairing the roof, restaining the siding, and cleaning up the yard. They received an inventory of plants with their deed.

Alterations to the original plans made during the Fortmiller ownership included closing in a back porch for a breakfast room, and carpeting the house. They also built a shower in one of the bathrooms. These changes were made in 1933.  In 1946 the Fortmillers offered the house for sale.  Siskiyou Boulevard, a major thoroughfare, was becoming increasingly noisy with traffic and they wished a quieter place.

 Frank C. Clark, the home’s Architect

Frank C. Clark was born December 27, 1872 in Greene, New York and came to the West Coast in 1890 via stagecoach.  During his years in Los Angeles and San Francisco he became acquainted with California bungalow architecture. He moved to Ashland in 1904 and opened an office.  His designs in the community include the Carter House, Elks Temple, the Enders Building, the State Normal School Building, the Chappel-Swedenburg, Taverner, and Pracht and Butler residences. In Medford, Clark designed Harry and David’s Orchard Building, and several churches and theatres. Houses include those of Glenn Jackson, Delroy Getchell, L.A. Salade, Ralph Bardwell and Victor Bursell.  Grants Pass, in neighboring Josephine County, and Yreka, California claim examples of his work. From 1936 to 1954 he worked with Robert Keeney, and the two designed buildings under the firm name of Clark and Keeney. Frank Clark died in 1957.

 1950s to Today

A testament to the fine architecture, the original bones of the house are, incredibly, largely unchanged since first constructed.  A remodel in the early 1980’s converted the single-family residence to a bed-and-breakfast.  One closet upstairs was converted to a bathroom and a bathroom downstairs was divided into a bathroom and a half to make room for guests.  At that time, the kitchen was renovated,  areas of new wiring installed, a new garage with apartment replaced the shed, and an in-ground swimming pool was added.

In 2013, the home was purchased by current owners, Jesse and Katy Repp.  They are lovingly “de-modeling” the minor changes made in the 1980’s and restoring it to it’s Craftsman glory.  It is once again a  a family residence with only the Carriage House (apartment over the garage) and Garden Room (billiard room) redecorated and kept as vacation rentals. Construction is being performed by Jesse Repp’s company, Rogue Residential and include the removal of carpets and refinishing of original floors, period lighting, mouldings and window coverings. The house is still heated with the original 1909 boiler and hot water radiators.