The original promo-booklet for the new Cooperative 'Benton Manor' managed by Corvallis Apartments, Inc. (1959-1960)

Sponsors of this new project were:

A. L. Strand (President of Oregon State College)
John Porter (Corvallis City Manager)
Robert C. Ingalls (Publisher Corvallis Gazette Times)
Reverend Charles Neville (Good Samaritan Episcopal Church)
Dan Webster (Manager Pacific Power & Light) also (President of Corvallis Chamber of Commerce)

Robert Wilson (Contractor)
Edith Yang (Architect)

Percey P. Locey (Sale of Stocks and Promotion)

Mission Statement: 

Purpose of this Google Blogger is to share historical documentation of Benton Manor at Corvallis Oregon (a.k.a. Executive Plaza). The postings will reflect a time capsule of my association with the building (1980-1987) and the earliest history from (1959).

Although I was the on-site manager of this building and was an employee of the current owner Joseph Weston, this page is not managed by Weston Investments LLC or the affiliated American Property Management. My efforts represent my contentment as manager, my harmonious interaction with Weston Investments, admiration of Joe Weston (as one of the most remarkable businessmen in the state of Oregon), love for all our tenants, and the pride of association I had with the building as resident and manager.  The connection with this property, the residents, owner and staff, was so rewarding I wanted to share the experience.

Corvallis and the Northwest deserves to know the wonderful historical merit of this property, as does Joseph Weston and his staff. I have retained much historical documentation through the years (some offered to me by Joe Weston himself) and also residents of the building. I have waited 35-some years for the time and forum to share this valuable history with the public. 

This historical page does not reflect the current day-to-day operations of this property. Any derogatory posts or complaints about the building, or owner, by residents who currently live at the Plaza (or lived there), or local residents, will be removed. This page is a celebration of my admiration and love for the building and my tribute to the residents who resided there, and last but not least, my association with Joe Weston and his associates who offered me carte' blanche in regard to my management with the trust that I would manage the property in a manner in which they would be comfortable. In all my years as an employee and a business owner I have never been treated so respectfully and with such high regard. Thank you Weston Investments! 

This page will be continually updated as I add historical materials, thank you for your interest. Please click on any of documents or images posted for larger files. Please note at bottom of the page you need to click 'Older Posts' to see the rest of the overview. 

When I opened an old dusty box containing documents of my management & residency at the Executive Plaza-- I found this letter from the owner of the building. I remembered that he had sent me a manila envelope of original and copied documents about the building. I thought to myself-- 'he offered the information to me with best of intentions' --the least I could do after 34-years was find a way to utilize it and publicize the history of this wonderful Corvallis landmark!

Purchased by Joseph Weston in 1967, the Plaza has enjoyed 50-years under the same owner! This is a phenomenal legacy-- I know this is a premier property for Weston Investment Corporation. I am honored to be a part of it all. 

Combined images of the Executive Plaza when I managed it. Formerly as a Cooperative the building had amenities other residential complexes just couldn't match. When it was built in 1960 it was the pride of Corvallis.

This image was taken by myself in August 1981. The Executive Plaza (when I managed it in the early 1980's) was the premier residential building of Corvallis Oregon. Originally a co-op, this luxury property had features no other apartment building in town could match. For instance, the ceilings and floors are concrete slab, the walls are not only concrete block (but are filled with concrete and rebar). Each original unit (37) has a fireplace, radiant ceiling heat, front patio, and rear entry sitting area. Windows were designed to negate the cloudy Oregon winters so the units remained a bright as possible. The building is considered fireproof. The reason this building is so solid is it was built to higher standards as a residential cooperative than an average 'apartment building'. I had heard at one time it was the first co-op built in the west (a living arrangement which was more popular back east).

The former Recreation Room (3rd floor) windows are thrown open-- evidence of how much Alice Norvell loved this apartment and the fireplace #39.

'The Vision' a Grand Dream (February 23 1959)
'Modern Apartment House Plans Revealed'
Most the historic newspaper files on this historic presentation are courtesy of Corvallis Gazette Times.

Stone mason A.C. Lloyd did the stunning sandstone and mortar entryway to the Benton Manor - The Executive Plaza (on the left as you enter the building) from 11th Street. The crowning element to a beautiful building with a hidden past! I used to love this beautiful mosaic and hosed it down occasionally as it was shielded by rain but did attract dust. 

Luckily because of the way it has been protected with an overhang through the years it has never deteriorated! Lloyd also did the Lipman's Building (later) Frederick & Nelson at 4th & Madison (downtown Corvallis).

'Community Within a Community!' August 14 1960.

Trico continued to maintain the electrical components of our building. I knew the men at Trico-- they were friendly and efficient. We had a leak from the third floor guest apartment which corroded one of the meters. Trico came out and replaced the meter and did the repairs. Expensive but it had to be done. 

Our meters were all indoors, as well as large transformer, with power run in from roof. Truly a modern innovation for the time. These were the days of new dams in the Northwest and bountiful electricity! 

Miles of Romex cable were routed to outlets all over the building-- like a little city-- Benton Manor was so well designed and constructed it needed little maintenance through the years. I never heard of a need for electrical repairs except for that of a leak from the shower (above) in the Service Meters bank in the store room.

A lot of concrete was used at Benton Manor. The floors and ceilings were lowered in by crane to rest on concrete filled fire-proof walls.

'A Beautiful Modern Structure' August 14 1960

I love the way all the contractors came together with modernistic theme wording of pride for this ultra-modern building in their ads. Few people who lived at Benton Manor-Executive Plaza realized what a source of pride this project was for the so many people involved and for the community of Corvallis!

I said earlier-- massive amounts of concrete are the very foundation of Benton Manor! At the time this was the most solid luxury building in Corvallis!

I had issues (as manager) with the mailman and garbage men. Neither wanted to deliver, or pick-up and retrieve up to each floor after 20-something years. I thought I was the first one to ask the Sunny Brook milkman to deliver into the mailbox-- he would set the milk inside on a little table. Nice guy!

The enormity of the project required a roofing contractor be brought in from Salem (the State Capitol). I have to say a flat roof in Corvallis was the Achilles' heel of the project. Joseph Weston (owner since 1967) kept his men busy resealing around the chimney openings and flashings with roofing tar.

I have better images (slides) of the roof which will add soon. My father and his crew (P.P. & L.) fabricated the tower which lowered the massive electric feed into the roof. He told me this was overlooked when the electrical-store-room was designed. Everyone was proud to be associated with this 'source of pride' for Corvallis.

Westinghouse glide-a-matic Elevator. For many years this luxury made for an easy move-in for everyone-- along with an convenient way to get groceries from the parking lot to each apartment.

Original design called for hardwood floors over concrete. This is the first possible cost-cutting move I have seen from the construction.

The elevator tower and adjoining stairway towers were completely isolated from the main building except by walkways. This design contributed to the ultra-modern look and as well the fire-proof design of the building.

'Our Future in Color' Got to love this ad! Note: painter is painting Velma Seat's unit, she was indeed the original owner of this apartment (#37). Exterior of the building was salmon pink and white in the early days.

This one was hard to read-- but here goes--

Exterior painting is being finished up by Jim Welsh and D.A. Bratton of Neal's Painting and Decorating on the public balconies. Steel frames and panels compose the balcony railings.

The view is outside the elevator tower and Janet Phillips apartment (3rd floor) and Esther Christenson (2nd floor).

'Turf-like lawns!' August 14 1960

'A Grand Celebration!' August 14 1960

Architect of Benton Manor was Edith Yang. Renowned throughout her life for her work and associated with Oregon State College she was the perfect choice. This is why the building has a modern streamline influence, perhaps even, a slightly oriental influence. Indeed, when the building was opened the landscape had rare bamboo plantings.

The article below describes an accident that befell the Langs at the North Corvallis Hills home.

'Auto Smashes Into Bedroom Pinning Woman'
Corvallis Gazette Times Early 1980's

I visited with Ms. Yang when I was the manager of the Executive Plaza-- she had fond memories of being involved with the project and appreciated my interest.  

The original 'Laundry Room' rules for Benton Manor which was located on the third floor next to the Recreation Room (also called the Stockholder's meeting room) and small guest apartment. There was also a workshop room which I used for storage supplies/maintenance of the building.

On December 8, 1964, Benton Manor ceased to be a cooperative. The name was changed to University Townhouse when the FHA took possession (they had originally financed it). I had completely forgotten this until I found this brochure Joe Weston sent me (this was the name of the building when he purchased it). Date of image- spring of 1967.

This image (front entry) shows the bamboo plantings around University Townhouse (now Executive Plaza). The gardeners told me they had to remove them eventually as they took over and got into the plumbing. Bamboo is known for such behavior. (1967)

I remember now that Joe Weston (owner of Executive Plaza) told me they had changed the name to University Townhouse-- he said he re-named it because the building had become such a 'party-house' for the University and he didn't want to continue the association.

Executive Plaza from East (Northwest Fillmore Avenue) 1980. The second floor unit center next to the storage area was my number 14 (1042 N.W. Fillmore). Lillian McConnell lived directly above me and Susan Sparks below.

Executive Plaza, west wing, (1980) as seen from 11th Street. The entrance was especially attractive with the imported Arizona Sandstone motif, salmon pink and white. To my knowledge the Plaza has been repainted approximately 4-times with new paint themes.

Executive Plaza (north view) parking (1980). These images were taken when I first moved in, Ruth Stenson was the manager. I was so excited to live here as the units had fireplaces and the building was rock-solid with lots of glass. Very rare design for Corvallis. I never dreamed I would end up the manager. (The little red Chevy center belonged to Hontas Taylor, my Rivera was right behind). 

The Executive Plaza (Corvallis Oregon) on a summer morning early 1980's. At this juncture the building was barely 20-years-old! Historic Corvallis history-- first ultra-modern Cooperative. (Please click on image for full-view) Kodachrome 25 Transparency to Digital 

Looking east from the Plaza roof toward Cannery Mall and the Best Western. Red Buick was Leah Siroy, orange VW was Susan Sparks, Riviera on street was mine, and blue Tornado (right) was Gladys Huffaker.

Night shot of entrance to Executive Plaza from 11th Street (early 1980's) Both the header image and the one here were taken by myself in August 1981. The Executive Plaza (when I managed it in the early 1980's) was the premier residential building of Corvallis Oregon. Originally a co-op, this luxury property had features no other apartment building in town could match. For instance, the ceilings and floors are concrete slab, the walls are not only concrete block (but are filled with concrete and rebar). Each original unit (37) has a fireplace, radiant ceiling heat, front patio, and rear entry sitting area. Windows were designed to negate the cloudy Oregon winters so the units remained a bright as possible. The building is considered fireproof. The reason this building is so solid is it was built to higher standards as a residential cooperative than an average 'apartment building'. I had heard at one time it was the first co-op built in the west (a living arrangement which was more popular back east). Can a person 'love' a building? I assure you, I fell in love with this property when I moved there in the late 1970's. It was my 'home' for many years and left an indelible imprint on my early years.

The Plaza was the finest property in Corvallis. I will always be honored to have been a part of this wonderful legacy of residential housing at Corvallis. I took this picture in the early 1980's, notice the flowers on every level of the elevator tower. Emily Hout and Elizabeth Heath (#28) asked if they could keep these geraniums in the lobbies. I appreciated their efforts!

There were over 75 lights on the exterior of the Plaza, every night at midnight after my other full-time job, I would walk the building and notate the burned out bulbs, and replace them the next morning (I didn't do them at night as I didn't want to wake my tenants). I replaced several bulbs every few days. I soon realized that GE bulbs lasted less time than Sylvania so started using only Sylvanias.





There is much more information to peruse--

PLEASE click on 'Older Posts' (below right)