- Charles Nelson, Sr. House – Oysterville
Tonight the Oysterville Design Review Board will continue its consideration of the proposed addition to the smallest residence in the village – the Charles Nelson, Sr. House built in 1873. As stated on the historic marker on its picket fence, seven children were raised in this little building of less than 400 square feet. Even though I know that times were different 100+ years ago, I wonder if Mrs. Nelson lobbied for additional space as her family grew.
Anna Parker Nelson had arrived in Oysterville in 1868. At 14, she had charge of the household which included her widowed father, a younger sister and two brothers. Her father set up a tailor shop here and made fine suits of English broadcloth. According to his grandson, Charles (Charlie) Nelson, Jr. every man in the area was a potential customer, for he had no competition.
Not long after Anna’s arrival, Charles Sr. arrived in Shoalwater Bay on the oyster schooner Sailor Boy. In the Summer 1966 issue of the Sou’wester, Charlie recounted the meeting of his parents this way: The tide being high, the young man rowed ashore in a Staten Island skiff and walked from the dock into town. Passing the schoolhouse, Dad saw the raven-haired, sparkling-eyed Anna Parker standing by a window. He thought to himself that someday she would be his bride. His infectious smile caused the girl to return the friendly sailor’s greeting: they were married on July 20th, 1873 and were parted only by his death on June 11th, 1918.
The only other bit of information I have about Anna Parker Nelson is that she had a lovely garden full of old-fashioned flowers, especially lilacs or “laylocks” as she called them. My grandmother remembered that the oyster shell paths throughout Mrs. Nelson’s garden glistened in the sunlight and were kept weed-free by an occasional application of hot salt water.
The proposal being considered tonight by the Oysterville Design Review Board is for a 1,000 square foot addition to this tiny edifice in order to make it livable as a year-round residence in this twenty-first century. I have the feeling that Anna Parker Nelson would be totally in favor of the idea. She might even be giving Charles, Sr. a little kick for not thinking of it a century or so ago.
This was the first time read anything about Oysterville. Was very interesting. Will be watching your posts more careful as this was very enjoyable.. Thank you for info.
enjoyed this
Sydney –
I love that you are able to imbue even the most contemporary of activities (Design Review Board) with a palatable sense of place and history. You’re so talented! Thanks for the Day Book.
When I was a small girl living in Oysterville I used to count the houses and people instead of sheep, when I was trying to go to sleep. Now, for the life of me, I cannot remember which house this is. Who was living in it back in the late thirties and the forties? Do you remember? I enjoyed the article and did not know any of this history.
I’m not sure about the thirties, but by the mid-1940s Lou Mitchell was living in the house. We sometimes called her “Klondike Kate” because she had lived in Alaska. There are lots of stories about her — she was one of the true ‘characters’ of Oysterville. The house is the first one on the west as you enter the village.
Okay! It’s right on the corner by the original S curve. I remember now, but when Lou lived there the yard was overgrown and the house was half-hidden. Thanks, Sydney.
When I bought my house in Ilwaco, it was listed as being 360 square feet. An enclosed porch has maybe brought it up to 450 or so. Thanks for writing about this little house. (There’s a book called “Tiny, Tiny Houses.”
Very interesting to read. Thanks!
Spent quite sometime reading your blog..enjoyed every bit of it and hope we get back there some day. Keep on digging and writing you are terrific!
PS: what’s with the chickens?
A few years ago we were ‘adopted’ by two roosters that just sort of arrived in Oysterville. They were lots of fun and started us on our chicken farming ‘career.’ We now have five hens, two we-hope-hens, and no roosters.
LOL…and hopefully fresh eggs
The family must have made the children leave as soon as they turned 18! My mother-in-law raised 7 boys in about three times that amount of space.
I don’t know about the Nelsons, specifically, but I imagine they left even earlier than that. In those days, most kids went to work after the eighth grade, often living away from home.
Great article. Bunk beds? Do they come come 7 high? Sydney, I how many rooms.