The Lee-Janouch House joined the ranks of the National Register of Historic Places. The designation was confirmed back in January 2025, but the original nomination was put forward by Oregon's State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation in October 2024, doing justice to the house's status as a prime example of National Park Service Rustic architecture in a residential setting - one of the very rarities in Oregon's architectural portfolio.
Constructed in 1934, the house sits cozily at the intersection of East Main Street and Willamette Avenue in Medford, where it was erected by Isaac "Ike" Davidson, better known for his role as the building superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, even as he later faced legal repercussions for misappropriation of federal funds where he turned state's evidence against his supervisor Elbert C. Solinsky. Both Davidson and Solinsky were removed from their posts and served time behind bars for their deeds, adding a historical twist to the property's backstory. The materials and design techniques mirror those found in and around Crater Lake, which is why the Lee-Janouch House exemplifies such a unique connection to the National Park Service.
For architecture enthusiasts, the house stands out with its distinct "Crater Lake wall treatment," defined by tapered stone walls sourced straight from the park, and carries on that tradition first seen in the Sinnott Memorial, constructed under Davidson's supervision three years before the Lee-Janouch House. Even the inclusion of redwood board-and-batten siding in the gable ends doesn't miss out on its historical significance, capturing the essence of the Rustic style.
Being part of the National Register brings with it several benefits like federal tax benefits and eligibility for preservation grants. It was the National Park Service who finally approved the house's listing after the SACHP recommendation, as noted in their recent press release.
