The historic Forty House at the SW corner of U.S. Highway 101 and 8th Street at the south end of Port Orford in Oregon’s Curry County is being transformed into a colorful attraction by artist Kathee Woods with help from Steven Dahl.
The Forty House in 2020. Photography by Lance Nix.
The Forty House in 1980. Photographer Unknown.
Myrtle and Robert Forty
Myrtle and Bob were married January 10, 1915 at the home of Bob’s parents, George and Maude Paskins Forty. They lived at a couple locations till they rented a house on Oregon Street, today known as the Cook Gallery. Bob logged for Dave Crowley, trading labor for the lumber to be used to construct the new house on the corner of Oregon and 8th. Myrtle’s father Douglas McGill was an excellent carpenter. With the help of Bob, McGill built the Forty house the summer/fall of 1915. Myrtle and Bob moved into their new home mid Oct. 1915.
Douglas McGill also built several houses in Port Orford including George and Maude’s home across from Battle Rock Park. Myrtle’s brother Walter also was a good carpenter. Douglas and Walter built the stands, stages and platforms for the Agate Festival at Agate Beach (Tseriadun) park.
Robert passed in 1970 and Myrtle in 1991. After Myrtle moved to her daughter Dottie’s place on Elk river in 1980, the Forty House had several identities. In the early 80’s, it was known as the popular Madelain’s Restaurant. Later Barry’s Antique store. For many years, the house served as Gwendolyn’s and the Joan of Arc vacation rental until the recent purchase by Kathy and Steve Dahl.
Seneva Sorenson Lindberg, Lucile Lindberg Douglas
On the front porch of the Forty House
Myrtle and Inez
Douglas and Walter McGill did the construction work
at the park
Myrtlewood Shop on Hwy 101
Mr. McGill worked Myrtlewood in his later years and left the heavy construction to his son Walter.
Aileen Bellah
I visited with Lucille Douglas Lindberg when I last visited Port Orford in 2005. She was such a lovely lady and showed me a diary of all the births and deaths in Port Orford, probably in her lifetime. She told me her wishes were for it to go to the library on her passing, but evidently her family did not honor her wish because I was told they did not get it. My Mother was Nesta Forty (Johnson) born there in 1904, and her twin sister Lottie Forty Smith