'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) 

As example of enhanced gardens at the Plaza is this scene from the early 1980's. I added hundreds of gladiolas, birdbaths, and shrubs. I never asked Weston to pay for any of this and was happy to donate my time and funds to 'our' home as manager. Taken from the third floor breezeway. Autos are Leah Siroy (red Buick), her sister Florence Kimmel's (burgundy Buick), and Howard Lang's (Ford).

When I started my management I tried to fill in empty areas with color, I desired cohesive upkeep of the entire property. I noticed a bare garden strip below Velma Seat (37) next to the parking area by the other stairway tower. I soon prepped it for flowers, Velma spied me, telling me she had always planted flowers there, spring and fall. I appreciated that, but we agreed that she needed to be a little more timely with her maintenance, so it was never bare dirt. The arrangement continued to work, however, it was always a little uneasy for me, as in that building if one tenant had a planting area, all the others wanted one too. The gardens needed to be maintained in a professional manner at all times befitting a residential building. We had full time landscape-gardeners, and they did a great job, but they kept the grounds in a more simplistic theme. I talked to them many times and they did not mind me adding things as long as they were easy maintenance, this was completely understandable. As an example, Emily and Elizabeth kept some of the geraniums in the main lobby.

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.