COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2019 • 13
WELL PRESERVED
carpenter for the Wilson Ship-
yard. Later records suggest
he found work as a building
contractor.
Design approach
Bowman received a degree in
art, but worked for many years
as a real estate agent. Then, she
discovered an affinity to not only
older structures, but for their
revival. “When I started resto-
ration,” she recalled. “I realized
I should have been doing this for
30 years.”
She said that while the Leb-
eck house was in escrow, she
thought about the project con-
stantly. She considered what
steps were needed to bring the
house back to life. “I visualize it
first as it will be done,” she said.
Bowman began by imagining
the project “as a whole,” being
mindful of everything from its
structural needs to paint colors.
She said, “I don’t see the house
as it is, but as it will be when
it’s completed.” Then added the
Leback house was, “The big-
gest project for a home I’ve ever
done.”
Work accomplished
When Bowman first entered
the house, it was full of per-
sonal belongings. The house was
dark, too: dark wood paneling
and dark paint colors. Acoustical
tile hung from a lowered ceiling;
floors were covered in multiple
layers of linoleum. Nevertheless,
Bowman could see the house had
a good plan as well as historic
woodwork.
“When I spoke with contrac-
tors, they said it was just too
much work,” she remembered.
The house needed a new roof
and gutters as well as exterior
paint. A lateral sewer was not
functioning. The building’s foun-
dation needed repair.
Inside, the kitchen needed to
be gutted, its wainscoting recon-
structed and its fixtures restored.
Fir floors on the main level
needed stripping and refinishing.
An upstairs bathroom needed a
do-over. And while she was at
it, she added a half-bath to the
first floor. Every room needed
repainting. Historic light fixtures
were missing.
“Now it’s cheerful and airy,”
PHOTOS BY JOHN GOODENBERGER
The J. Edward and Elda Lebeck house was recently restored on Grand Ave.
Original woodwork is visible in the front foyer.
The main bathroom was completely refurbished.
she said. “It was depleted. Now
it’s a happy house.”
Importance of preservation
Contractors
Bowman had a number of
contractors on the project. She
eagerly listed those to whom she
was most grateful. “All of these
contractors said what they were
going to do and did what they
said they were going to do,” she
stated. “They were professional,
responsible and turned up to do
the work.”
The list of local contractors
includes: Weatherguard Roof-
ing, French’s Gutters, Jeff Hale
Painting, J & J Hardwood and
Alfonse Excavating. The list also
includes Ram Jack West, a foun-
dation repair contractor from
Portland.
Bowman said preservation
is her passion and Astoria fuels
it. “I can see how special these
homes once were and I want
them to be again. There is a level
of art in the craftsmanship, we
will not see again.”
Now that the Lebeck house is
complete, she’s taking on another
project. The work gives her sat-
isfaction, in part, because it is
a way to improve the quality of
life for those who live nearby. “I
want to give the houses respect.
It uplifts the community and puts
pride in people’s soul.”
For more information about
renovating an old home or com-
mercial building, visit the Lower
Columbia Preservation Society
website at lcpsociety.org