Sorry, great, great grandparents, but you might not recognize your lovely old home. That's because over the decades new owners have updated rooms, taken down walls and installed newfangled appliances to make a century-old house work for modern living.

Main upgrades: Much-needed plumbing and electricity.

In this week's real estate gallery, we look at homes on the market or recently sold that were built in 1900 or before.

Don't expect cozy, knitting rooms with low ceilings. Remodeled old homes have vaulted great rooms and kitchens with warming drawers. Added bonus rooms have wet bars.

The most telling trend: Several of the historic houses have brand-new accessory dwelling units, separate small apartments to house grandparents or other relatives or renters.

With all the talk about homes being demolished to make room for new dwellings, it's comforting to know that many houses, duplexes and apartments have survived more than a century of change.

Some have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places after architecture, history and culture experts have deemed them significant.

The free Historic Sites Database www.oregonheritage.org has information on Oregon's historic buildings. If listed in the National Register, you can download a copy of the nomination form, which describes its original and present state, and explains its history and owners. There are construction dates, inventory forms, architect information and more.

-- Janet Eastman

jeastman@oregonian.com
503-799-8739
@janeteastman

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