Historic Walking Tour - Dick Kiger House

Significance

Architecturally, the Kiger House is the survey area's most elaborate example of Colonial Revival style of architecture used for a family residence. The house is associated with Dick Kiger a very well-known Corvallis resident.

Physical Description 

The Dick Kiger House is a two-story, wood-frame house built in a Colonial Revival style of architecture. Square in plan, the house rests on a poured concrete foundation. Above the wooden water table, the exterior walls are clad with horizontal clapboard siding. 

The main facade is graced by a balconied portico. The first story of the portico runs the entire length of the main facade (north elevation). Simple, tapered, square wooden porch posts rest on cut stone piers. The porch railing is composed of turned balusters. The centrally situated balcony is pedimented and is also supported by tapered wooden porch posts. The main entry is located off-center to the east and features a fully glazed entry door trimmed with decoratively carved molding. Two beveled glass side-lights flank the door as do two original metal lanterns. The most common windows are one-over-one double hung sash windows. Other windows include small single sash fixed windows and two part casement windows. The main facade features a "picture window" flanked by two 1-over-1 double hung sash windows. Doors and windows have architrave trim. The south elevation features a one story, projecting rectangular bay. 

The hipped roof has flaring eaves and is covered with composition shingles. Above a molded frieze, the cornice is embellished with scroll like modillions. Two gable-roofed dormers are symmetrically located on the main facade. A single dormer, also with a gable roof, is located on the rear (south) elevation. 

Exterior brick fireplace chimneys are located on the east elevation and the west elevation. There is also an interior brick chimney. 

To the west of the house is a porte cochere. A carport was added behind the porte cochere sometime between 1927 and 1949. A garage, which stylistically resembles the house, is located behind the carport. To the rear of the house is a sunken garden area lined with concrete. This is not an original feature. Although the house was converted to office space in 1977, the interior spaces and original architectural elements remain largely intact. 

An unusual feature of the house is found on the exterior chimney on the east elevation: A chimney anchor rod in the form of a branding iron with the Kiger brand. 

Historical Background 

The house at 508 S.W. Jefferson was built for the Dick Kiger family in about 1914. Dick Kiger was the son of early Benton County Pioneers Reuben and Dolly Kiger. Mrs. Kiger was formerly Louise Fisher. Dick Kiger operated the Kiger family farm on Kiger Island south of Corvallis. Although summers were spent on Kiger Island, the family resided in Corvallis during the winter. 

In 1922 the Kigers sold the house to Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity which used the house until 1935. In that year, Sam and George Whiteside purchased the house. In 1939, the house was sold to Dr. Henry and Naomi Garnjobst. The Garnjobsts lived here for many years. 

Source Consulted

• Benton County Deed Registry.
• Benton County Tax Rolls.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, September 18, 1935.
• Reynolds, Minerva Kiger, Personal Communication, 1984.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.