About The House

Betty’s Bed and Breakfast Home is a California bungalow style Craftsman House built in 1922 in The Oaks Addition to Salem, Oregon. The Oaks Addition has been recently surveyed by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and they have recommended to Salem Historic Landmarks and Design Review Commission to pursue nominating this neighborhood to the National Register as a district. A part of their report states, “The subdivision reflects the social, economic, and cultural trends evident in Salem from 1910 – 1941 through its architectural integrity as well as physical setting and overall layout.”

“Largely consisting of bungalows, Tudor, and English cottages, the subdivision also features a distinctive block organization where service alleyways form an H-plan circulation pattern. The architectural styles and grid plan of the subdivision not only demonstrate the relative affluence of the area’s residents, but also capture the eclectic nature of residential development during the dramatic commercial, industrial, and governmental expansion that occurred in Salem during the 1920’s.” They also note in the report that they have not found any other neighborhood or subdivision in Oregon which features the alleys arranged in an H-plan.

The house itself has been beautifully restored with much of the original workmanship intact. You will find most of the features typical in the Craftsman House. Before even entering, you will note the characteristic dark green color, street-facing gable and wide overhanging eves. As in all Craftsman Homes, there is a fireplace in the living room. Wood paneling graces the dining room as well as crossed wood beams in the ceiling. Throughout the home there is extensive use of native wood (Douglas Fir) crafted into pillars, benches, pocket doors, built-in cabinets and drawers. Large groupings of windows with multiple panes are found throughout the house as well as casement windows. All has been lovingly restored from the push-button light switches to the double-landing staircase. There’s too much to describe here, you have to see it for yourself.

I am so happy to have the privilege of owning this fine old home and it gives me such pleasure to share this bit of history with others.

Betty DeHamer, Proprietor