65-Years (1960-2025) The Plaza is haunted by the presence of some of the most intriguing residents who lived there, all from different lifepaths and journeys. One such neighbor was Dorris Pugsley, second floor, 743 Northwest 11th Street, Unit #24. Dorris was a special neighbor, engaging, yet somewhat reclusive. She passed away from cancer, perhaps due to smoking. The studio portrait aside was from Hollywood in the 1930's, evident she walked a far removed path from small-town Pendleton and Corvallis. The shadowed hallways echo a historical past imprinted by those who have called the Executive Plaza home

Merry Christmas from the Executive Plaza. Newly located images of the Plaza from Christmas of 1981 shows the star donated for the holiday from Emily Hout and Elizabeth Heath (Number 28, 3rd floor).

Occasionally I run across a new image of the Plaza (wish I had more). This one reflects a view of the front with the beautiful landscaping and entry sign. I had taken a slide of my new motorcycle with building behind (summer 1986) new managers were in charge and had placed a 'For Rent' sign for vacant units.

I found these photos online with a newspaper research venue. I do not want to subscribe at the moment (have done so in the past) so when next in Corvallis I will scan it at the University Valley Library where the GT archives are held. There is text with the article but it is somewhat repetitive and jumbled in the preview so I will not add it. I know I have seen this image before but can't find it in my files. (October 1 1960) 

Plaza Christmas dining room (left) and kitchen (right)

Again an uncropped shot of the rear of the building taken at night (August 1981)

Full version of Plaza at night in August of 1981. I was trying out my new Ricoh 35mm camera.

Executive Plaza breakfast consisted of fig newtons, peanut butter sandwiches, and milk. Life of a 21-year-old. (1981) 

Taking a break-- my management of the Plaza was 24-7 (I had no assistant manager and the owner lived in Portland). The fireplace was a lifesaver for this desert rat and helped me cope with the dark gray winters. (1982)

Taking a break from managing the Executive Plaza in about 1981. My kitchen (office) desk (1042 NW Fillmore). 

Guest Bedroom at 1042-- I loved this quiet space and would meditate here. The only complaint I ever had (as a guest bedroom) was one guest said it was stuffy with the door shut. (Uh, it had a window-- LOL!) My guest never thought to open it.

View from 1042-- slides never lend themselves well to digital but this is the view from 1042 NW Fillmore entrance. It was a dark entry-- but loved how protected it was-- never had the Oregon rain at my door. Executive Plaza-- Built like a fortress!

Views from 1042 N.W. Fillmore (early on) 1979-1980

Leah Siroy 1010 Northwest Fillmore #8. From the beginning Leah was endearing-- always her door was open and whenever she saw me she wanted me to come in and visit. Her unit on the end next to 11th street was the opposite of her sister's (Florence Kimmel) apartment on the other end of the building (1024 Northwest Fillmore #1) This would have been (and likely was at one time) the most logical manager's apartment. Although I always found it quite shaded on the north side. 

Although I was capturing an image of the two cars I restored-- nice shot of the Plaza in about 1986 with Velma Seat #37 pulling in on the right (at least I think it is her car). Miss you Velma!

Rhododendrons in the rear parking elevator area of Executive Plaza.

In community spirit many of us would sit out on the balconies of the Executive Plaza to watch the fireworks launched at the O.S.U. docks near the Harrison Boulevard bridge in downtown Corvallis. 'Oft times my friends and I would watch at the riverfront as well.

More than anything I wanted to show this image as it exhibits the original linoleum floors which were installed in 1960 throughout the apartments. My understanding is the carpet was added to all units at the time Weston took over, or when the building transferred to apartments.

Garden corner outside of Number 4 (former Ruth Stenson apartment). There was challenge with the management of this particular building, our residents for the most part were seniors, and many had moved from large homes into this more simplistic lifestyle. As well, a majority were widowed women who had a lot of time on their hands, and not all of them got along with each other. The challenge for me was trying to help everyone adjust to this new lifestyle while making sure all residents of the building felt they had equal liberties and privacy. I feel, in regard to the longevity of the residents, the prestige of the property, and the fact some of the residents were former owners, this property was quite unique in the Weston Property holdings. Yet in spite of the subtle undercurrent with residents everyone was proud to be part of the Plaza and I was told often it was the best property in town for this level of resident.

Gardens next to the Stairway Tower outside of Apartment 8. 

My grandmother Irene McNeil (Chetwood) came and stayed with me for a few days in July of 1985 at the Plaza. I was to move to Arizona by 1987.

Rather blurry view of the kitchen and sitting area in the corner.

Not a very good night-shot but any record of the Executive Plaza from 35-years ago is worth viewing!

The entryway to my apartment #14 showed the rich hue of the larger slab doors. 

Even though a little over-exposed this chair provided a nice sitting area. I had it reupholstered at Chuck's Upholstery Shop after buying it from the estate of Dorris Pugsley (24). Dorris was a dear friend and long-term tenant, after she died, I purchased several items from her family. The chair is a channel back-- the cost of restoration was more than I expected!

As I remember it my friend (Leah Siroy) asked me if I would capture a picture of her Rhododendron on the north side patio of Number 8. 

Occasionally roll film stretches when it is wound which creates this effect. Never-the-less we have a record of the second floor breezeway looking south from my unit #14 in about 1983. The building was ideally designed with covered areas enabling one to never get wet-- unless running to your car in the rain!

Another image taken from a slide from the early 1980's. This was my view toward the northeast. The wonderful thing about the units was the large 22 x 8 feet expanses of glass. They really brightened up the living rooms!

Finally, after several years, I had more furniture as is exhibited with my dining room alcove. I also seemed to collect a lot of other unnecessary items! I restored all the woodwork in my apartment with lacquer thinner and polish. The units all had beautiful cabinets and woodwork. Manager's apartment #14 (captured from a slide about 1983).

The other side of the larger bedroom in #14 can be seen here. Even though this is captured from a slide-- and not the clearest photo-- I am very grateful I do have pictures of all the rooms in this overview of the Executive Plaza! 

Manager's Apartment #14. At one time I ended up with these really nice twin beds-- because I already had a bed in the spare bedroom, they ended up here. 

The Plaza roof was flat as seen here. Even so we really didn't have many leaks except occasionally around the chimney stacks. Notice the access skylight is open near the elevator. View toward north. 

The patios at the Plaza were quite roomy and perfect for a summer afternoon. Mine faced north so it was always a little chilly out there-- but I enjoyed the space never-the-less.

My grandmother Irene Florence Smith McNeil at my apartment 'the Plaza' for Christmas about 1984.

Although in slight disarray, this was the bathroom in my apartment #14. Each unit had 2 bedroom, 1 bath. I had a small washing machine on the left, and a dryer on the patio.

In the earliest days of my association with the Plaza I didn't have enough furniture to fill the space. This was an early Thanksgiving.

When I lived at the Plaza everyone took pride in the building, as example this planter box kept full of flowers outside of Esther Christenson's apartment #22. This is looking north toward my apartment #14. 

In the early '80's when I was manager of the Plaza I decorated the building as I could. Even when the camera is not on a tripod it looked magical. 

The Plaza at night is an attractive subject for photography even if one is just learning to capture low light images. In this image I think we see Janet Phillips' apartment lit up (center top) next to elevator tower.

The Plaza from Fillmore Avenue. Apartments shown are left to right, McBride #27, McConnell #26, Norvell #39. Center level left to right, Pollock #15, Reynolds #14 (Manager), Storage units (green reflection). Bottom level left to right, Tutty #3, Sparks #2, Kimmel #1. (Number one was the original Manager unit at Benton Manor.)

Rooftop view east toward Cannery Mall.

Never seen by tenants was this view to the southeast from the roof of the Plaza. (early 1980's). The large chimney on the (right) was for the incinerator. My Eldorado was the car next to the pickup in the parking lot, next to me was Connie Neugart's Olds, and in the center of the lot was Esther Christenson's beloved '64 Montclair.

At night the fringe business-residential zoning of the Plaza was charming. Here we see the view from the Plaza toward the east and the Cannery Mall. Notice the 1969 Olds Toronado to the (right). This belonged to a resident (Mrs. Huffaker). It was low-mile, and in wonderful condition-- what I would have done to owned it! 

At the Plaza I review a Weston Rental Agreement in about 1982. At just 22-years old I was the manager of this 39-unit-luxury building, as well as employed at Evans Products in a full-time job. Click for full image.

'My mother's family was McNeil'. Holiday with my grandmother at the Executive Plaza (Christmas 1984). My mother was adopted, later in life, I came to know her real mother, Irene Florence (Smith) McNeil, who was at one time married to my Scottish grandfather Brinton Wallace McNeil. I was the only grandchild from this 'early' life that ever sought out a relationship with her-- something she valued greatly.

Manager's Apartment (1042 Northwest Fillmore) #14

The Executive Plaza from the early to mid-1980's during my management. Some of the names changed and eventually I will find my Rolodex cards of the official list. I pulled this together from various sources. We 'were', we were the Plaza Family. Note: #34 (767 N.W. Fillmore) Elizabeth Jane Knapp. Please click for enlarged file.

Finally I have compiled the Executive Plaza street number and apartment number key. I still have not located the Tenant Roster that I have somewhere-- so I built this from other documents.

Velma Seat was an original unit owner at Benton Manor from 1960 until she passed away in 2003. Her apartment #37 had great west views and east from entrance and bedrooms. She was a wonderful tenant and I treasured her association with our building. I wanted to re-post her obituary as Velma, like so many at the Plaza, was retired from O.S.U.

Aug. 6, 1914 - Nov. 17, 2003, Velma M. Seat of Corvallis died Monday. She was 89. She was born in Johnson, Wash., to Lee and Bessie Maxwell. She received a degree in home economics from Washington State University. She married Archie Seat shortly after graduation. They later divorced. She began doing promotional work with Puget Sound Power and Light in Seattle. Later she did promotional work for the Frigidaire Corp. and then with the Carnation Co., becoming a familiar figure on television and in Seattle newspapers, where she provided information on how to use Carnation products.In 1958, she joined the Oregon State Extension Service as a Washington County Extension agent. After a few years, she transferred to OSU as a food marketing specialist in charge of promoting Oregon agricultural goods and providing support to producers in the development and marketing of their products. On a sabbatical in the mid-1960s, she obtained a master's degree in adult education from Columbia University. Upon returning to OSU she developed the first correspondence course in the state on food buying, followed by courses on meat, seafood, food safety and the world food situation. She also began the weekly market basket reports highlighting the best seasonal buys. She also produced articles and tapes for radio distribution. She served on a national committee on the world food situation and participated in development of a correspondence course on that topic. She received recognition of these services by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Agricultural Economists Association. After retiring from OSU in 1982, she became a professor emeritus of agriculture economics. She moved to the Regent Retirement Residence in April 1999. (We had a lot of O.S.U. faculty and alumni at the Plaza.)