Families of Deepwood

Deepwood was home to three of Salem’s prominent families, each leaving a legacy in the home and gardens.

Port Family

Built for Dr. Luke A. Port in 1894, the home was considered one of the most impressive and beautiful of its time. The home and carriage house were designed by a budding young architect, William C. Knighton. Dr. Port and his wife, Lizzie Port, would only live in the home for about 16 months despite their considerable financial investment.

Bingham Family

The Bingham Family purchased the home in 1895. George Greenwood Bingham, Willie Harris Bingham and Alice Bingham, would create a true home out of the property. George G. Bingham was a well-known attorney in the area, and professor at Willamette University for 30 years. He also served as a District Attorney and Circuit Court Judge throughout his long career. George & Willie Bingham lived in the home until their passing in 1924. Their daughter, Alice Bingham Powell, sold the home to the final family.

Brown Family

Clifford and Alice Brown purchased the home in 1924 and had grand plans for updating the property. Beginning with the Queen Anne home, the house was extensively renovated, but retained most of its original design and features. After the completion of the renovations, the Browns moved into the home in 1925 with their two sons, Werner and Chandler.

After the untimely death of Clifford in 1927, Alice Bretherton Brown continued to live in the home for a total of 43 years. During her continued time in the home she commissioned the beautiful Beaux Arts-Style Gardens, designed by the talented Lord & Schryver Landscape Design firm in 1929. Elizabeth Lord & Edith Schryver formed the first female owned landscape design firm in the Northwest, and completed the gardens in 1935. Upon the completion of the gardens, Alice officially named the property Deepwood, after a favorite children’s book, The Hollow Tree and the Deep Woods by Albert Bigelow Paine. In 1945 Alice Brown married Keith Powell, and they resided in the home until 1968. The property was put up for sale, and the community began their mission to Save Deepwood.