View XML QR Code

Max W. Lorenz papers, 1928-1950

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lorenz, Max W. (Max Walter), 1884-1952
Title
Max W. Lorenz papers
Dates
1928-1950 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.23 cubic feet, (1 slim legal document case)
Collection Number
Coll 863
Summary
Papers of Portland, Oregon, contractor Max W. Lorenz (1884-1952), a German-American immigrant who ran the Lorenz Brothers Construction Company with his brother Walter Lorenz, and who supervised the construction of Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. Materials in the collection mostly relate to the Lorenz Brothers Construction Company. Items include a date book, a book of estimates, specifications for an office building, correspondence, and a Lincoln High School handbook that belonged to Lorenz's son, Wilfred G. Lorenz (1913-2002).
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Max Walter Lorenz was born in 1884 in Saxony, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1902, and came to Portland, Oregon, in 1910, where he was joined by his younger brother Walter Lorenz (1895-1975) in 1912. The two founded a contracting firm, Lorenz Brothers Construction Company, around 1922. Max W. Lorenz supervised the construction of Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in the 1930s. He was also involved in the construction of Camp Adair, the Neighbors of Woodcraft Building in Portland, and many residences in Portland. Lorenz's wife was Anne Barbara Spaeth (1883-1983). The couple had three children: Wilfred, Barbara Anne, and Rosalind. Max W. Lorenz died in January 1952.

Return to Top

Content Description

The collection consists of Max W. Lorenz's papers, almost entirely relating to his work as a contractor in the firm Lorenz Brothers. It includes a 1936 date book that Lorenz used for work and personal appointments, and which includes a number of entries relating to his role in the construction of Timberline Lodge, which he refers to as the Mt. Hood Hotel. Other materials in the collection include an estimates book, an office copy of specifications for a Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company office building, correspondence from and about Lorenz, and blank forms used by Lorenz Brothers. The only item in the collection not related to Lorenz's work is a handbook for Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, that belonged to his son, Wilfred G. Lorenz (1913-2002).

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Max W. Lorenz papers, Coll 863, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Materials are arranged in chronological order.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Aesha Lorenz Al-Saaed, December 2019 (RL2020-003).

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Lorenz Brothers estimates book
    Dates: 1928
    Container: Box 1, Folder 1
  • Description: Lorenz Brothers office copy of specifications for the east office building of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company, Portland, Oregon
    Dates: 1928
    Container: Box 1, Folder 2
  • Description: Lincoln High School handbook belonging to Lorenz's son, Wilfred G. Lorenz
    Dates: 1929
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Date book, including entries about work on Timberline Lodge
    Dates: 1936
    Container: Box 1, Folder 4
  • Description: Letter from E. J. Griffith to Claude W. Snow, describing Lorenz's role in the construction of Timberline Lodge
    Dates: 1940 November 28
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Letter to Lorenz Brothers from McCraken-Ripley Company
    Dates: 1949 January 10
    Container: Box 1, Folder 6
  • Description: Letter from Lorenz to Rev. Donald L. Leonard about work at Menucha near Corbett, Oregon
    Dates: 1950 May 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Lorenz Brothers forms (blank)
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 1, Folder 8

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Construction projects--Oregon
  • Contractors--Oregon--Portland

Personal Names

  • Lorenz, Max W. (Max Walter), 1884-1952

Corporate Names

  • Timberline Lodge (Mount Hood, Or.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • appointment books
Loading...
Loading...