Skip Geear

Still, Skip Geear, chairman of the Wood House Preservation Group in Eagle Point, called the razing a "disgrace," adding "that house was in good restorable condition.The Wood House on Highway 62 was in a lot worse condition, even after we fixed it up - and it was sitting on stones and didn't have electricity till the late '40s."

The Howard house had full-dimension (actual 2x4) timbers and straight-grain (no knotholes) wood, Geear added, and "we hate to see those treasures go away, although it's a lot of work to save one.

With Jackson County budget cuts and the lease with Folan about to run out, Wood House Project Chairman Skip Geear feared for the building's future.

"We've been trying for seven years to save it and find a benefactor to buy it," Geear said.
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Geear has been instrumental in maintaining and restoring the wooden structure, which was built by Martin Sylvester Wood in 1870 and remained in the Wood family until Wood's son, Walter Wood, died there on Sept. 11, 1974.
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"Because of its visibility on the highway and its atmosphere, it's the most photographed and art-painted house in the Pacific Northwest, drawing thousands of visitors a year," Geear said."It's a major Southern Oregon legacy."
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The Wood House will continue to be open for tours, shows and as a memorable backdrop for other events, said Geear.

Current Wood House Chairman Skip Geear, who joined EPHS in 2000 specifically to help save the Wood House, is working with EPHS to form a breakaway nonprofit called the Wood House Preservation Group.Geear will likely serve as the group's president; other members have not yet been identified.

Located next to the house built by Civil War veteran Martin Sylvester Wood, the vintage vineyard could become a tourist attraction, said Skip Geear, Eagle Point Historical Society Wood House chairman.
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The rest of the property, featuring native birds, wildlife, endangered vernal pools and fairy shrimp, has been earmarked for conservation, said Geear.

"The council looked at this relative to ensuring that the city could preserve the history preserved within the museum," said Eagle Point City Manager Dave Hussell, who sits on the proposal committee with EPHS President Ralph McKechnie, Wood House Chairman Skip Geear, Medford attorney Bill Mansfield and Upper Rogue Independent Editor Nancy Leonard.

Hussell, Wood House Chairman Skip Geear, Upper Rogue Independent Editor Nancy Leonard, Medford attorney Bill Mansfield and McKechnie comprise the newly-formed Wood House Preservation Group.
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Geear, who helped keep the Wood House running through the recent purchase of the property by Judson Parsons and his wife, Diana Gardner, would likely be named president.
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"I've been going by that house on a regular basis for about 40 years, and I guess I feel sorry for it," Geear said."So that's why I got involved in the EPHS, mainly to help the house.It speaks to me; it needs a friend and as long as my wife and I are able to upkeep it and keep it in line and have fun doing it, we'll be there."

Geear said he promises to keep the nonprofit simple, smooth and minimal.

"It won't be a society or anything like that and nobody will be paid," he said."All the money to maintain the Wood House will continue to come through donations."

Current operating costs run approximately $60 to $70 a month for telephone, electricity, an alarm system and port-a-potty service, said Geear.
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"It's all about community - it's not about money," Geear said.

Skip Geear, President Eagle Point Historical SocietyTelephone: (541) 826-2177

"We are trying to save the Wood House from the same fate as what happened to the Stimson House," said Skip Geear of the Eagle Point Historical Society.
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"There's a gazillion photos and art paintings of this house," said Geear.

The house sits on 38 acres purchased by Californian James Folan in 1983.Folan donated the house to the society in 2000, said Geear.

"In 2001 we negotiated a seven-year lease on one acre for ,200 a month," said Geear."The lease is up in 2008."

The Wood House has not been placed under the protection of the National Register of Historic Places, putting the Doug fir dwelling on dangerous ground, Geear said.

"We can't get it registered because you have to own the land the structure sits on," said Geear.If Folan declines to reinstate the lease, the house will have to be moved , or it could be legally destroyed, said Geear.

County budget cuts to historical societies likely means Eagle Point will have a difficult time findingfunds to protect the Wood House, he said.

"We need to stop these things from happening," said Geear.

"Currently it's in limbo, living there day by day," says Skip Geear, Wood House chairman for the Eagle Point Historical Society, which owns the house but not the property.

"We're trying to come up with different ways to buy the property so the house and property can be kept together," he said.

The house, on Oregon 62 just north of town, then could qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its preservation, he said.
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Geear hopes someone will purchase the 38 acres and give it to the society but that hasn't happened.

"It's one of the most famous historic houses in the Pacific Northwest," Geear said.The group the group holds several events there each year.

Geear has suggested subdividing to make the acre available, but that likely would run into zoning problems.
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Geear calls the Wood House a "piece of history that can never be replaced."

"Although the society owns the house, it really belongs to the community," he said."