This is a must see tourist attraction. The home was built by the great philanthropist Simon Benson, who originally came from Norway. The home is built of cedar wood, with copper gutters. He was the gentleman who donated 20 bronze drinking fountains, that are called Benson Bubbles, you can see one out the front of the building. His thought was by providing the drinking fountains on each block, it would keep the men out of the pubs! Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this historical home & the history surrounding it.

we were allowed to walk freely in it and it is a special historic house of a rich guy with taste, so yes, worth going in

I remember this building in its old location and like it much better now, fully restored where it is now. It is on the PSU campus right by the Farmers Market location. A bit of its history: In 1900 Simon Benson built this Queen Anne-style mansion on the corner of SW 11th and Clay. The interior was full of detail and decoration. Each room was paneled in a different kind of wood. The building was first listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1983. Unfortunately by 1990 the building had fallen so far into disrepair that the city condemned it. it set vacant and getting worse. Eventually a developer wanted the land for something else. The Friends of Simon Benson House was formed they raised money and convinced Portland State University to take the house. In January 2000 the house was jacked up and moved to its new location. The next year was spent restoring the home and updating it for use. The results speak for themselves, The home is beautiful and now serves as the home of the university's Alumni Association. In 2002 it was relisted on the NRHP in its new location. Part of what makes this house important not just beautiful was who Simon Benson was. Born in Norway he arrived in Oregon with little money but became a timber baron, and one of Oregon first millionaires. He eventually moved beyond timber building the Benson Hotel in 1912 because he believed Portland needed a major hotel. He also built the Columbia Gorge Hotel. He is the Benson behind the Benson Blubbers funding them so people had somewhere to get a drink, He is the Benson in Benson State Park for which he donated the land. Finally he is the Benson in Benson Polytechnic High School which he gave money to the school district to help found. He was also the first chairman of Oregon's Highway commission. The Portland area would not be the same without him. The Oregonian posted a quote attributed to him No one has the right to die and not leave something to the public and for the public good.

This was on of the stops on the America's Hub World Tours 1/2 day Portland City Tour. We were there about 10 minutes. Simon Benson was born in Norway in 1851 and came to Portland in 1880. He came to the US and became rich in the logging industry. He bought 400 acres of the Columbia River gorge including the Multnamoh falls and deeded it to the city so that area would stay a public park. He was also very concerned about the availability of fresh water for the city so he gave the city money to install 20 bronze drinking fountains called, Benson Bubblers, and they are still in use downtown. There is one located outside the Benson House.