Mr Smith and his family traveled by wagon from Illinois to settle in Forest Grove following the end of the Civil War. Smith began learning carpentry at age 8 and built hospitals during the Civil War. He owned a furniture shop and established the Western Hotel here. Smith was a prominent citizen and eventually became involved in government, leaving the town of Forest Grove to become a State Legisla
tor. His business partner Buxton had a daughter who married a man named Caples and they lived in the house for many years. It was used as a boarding house at one point, having a kitchen on both floors. It nearly burned down one morning and a young man walking to school was able to awaken the residents and save them and the structure. An extensive remodel was conducted during the 2010’s and largely kept with the look and feel of the original structure. The Colteaux family are the current stewards. Little library #150112 was added to the property for the benefit of the community on July 24, 2022.
