Perched at 608 West 6th Street, the Bennett–Williams House is one of The Dalles’ most iconic historic homes. A striking Queen Anne residence with its turreted corner, wraparound porch, and ornate trim, the house has stood for over a century as both a visual and cultural landmark—bearing witness to generations of life, loss, legacy, and laughter. Its story begins at the turn of the 20th century with Judge Alfred S. Bennett, a prominent figure in Oregon’s legal world who would later serve on the state Supreme Court. Designed by architect C.H. Crandall and constructed by Hansen & Thompson, the home exemplified the height of Queen Anne elegance. The Bennett family moved in on August 4, 1899, and the home quickly became a hub of civic respectability.

The ballroom-sized uppermost story of the building, with beautiful wooden floors, was regularly the site of popular soirés and dances for the local high society. There is a small platform with a magnificent river view, accessible by ladder, where Judge Bennett liked to sit and watch river boat traffic with his binoculars.

But life within its walls was not without sorrow. In 1918, two of Judge Bennett's daughters died tragically within months of each other — Anita, aged 29, just days after childbirth in March, and 22-year-old Erma that October, a victim of the Spanish flu. Crystal, the youngest daughter, had recently married, while their brother, Alfred Jr., was serving overseas in World War I. Despite the grief, the Bennetts remained in the home until Judge Bennett's death in 1925.

Elizabeth and her husband Edward D. Williams were well known for their connection to A.M. Williams & Company, one of the most influential department stores in the Mid-Columbia region. The store's origins stretch back to Anna Marshall Williams, who took over the business after the deaths of both her Welsh husband and his partner. Under her guidance, it flourished, eventually becoming a regional retail anchor. Its green-tiled entrances—still visible today at Hampton Furniture—serve as quiet reminders of its impact.

The Williams family's imprint on the home was as strong as that of the Bennett family. Barbara Williams and her mother, Lora Elizabeth Williams, brought their creative flair to the interiors, choosing bold red-and-white wallpaper for the entry and salvaging red carpet from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the 1960s. Even the red velvet ribbon wrapped around light fixtures had a story—it was a remnant from a Christmas decorating session in 1964, led by Barbara and Lora.

Elizabeth Sampson Williams 2005.22.106.A | The Bennett daughters, oldest to youngest: Anita, Erma and Crystal. 1998.47.3.16-2

One of the home's most memorable residents was Lora Williams Helmer, the granddaughter of Edward and Elizabeth, born in the house in 1959. To this day, she remains the only person known to have been both born and raised there. Her childhood memories bring the house to life: the sound of the old service bell in the downstairs master closet (used to summon the Chinese cook and gardener), the thrill of hosting haunted houses for Halloween, the warmth of multi-generational holiday dinners where children had to wait patiently for the adults to finish before they could eat.

Some memories, however, are more colorful than cozy. Lora recalls one story passed down through the family: a beautifully decorated cake made by the cook astonished the family—until he pulled a dirty pastry tube from his coat pocket and proceeded to pipe decorations by blowing through the nozzle. From that day on, no one touched his cakes again.

The house itself evolved along with the family, yet much of its original infrastructure endured: the intricate wood trim, sliding pocket doors, and bell system all survived well into the Williams era. Even elements of the family's businesses found their way into the home. During a renovation, green marble from the A.M. Williams & Co.store was repurposed for the fireplace surround. Behind it, the family discovered an eerie surprise—a figure, burned into the bricks, resembling a man's profile. Was it Judge Bennett, watching from beyond?

The Williams legacy in The Dalles was as deep-rooted as that of the Bennett family. Lora’s father, Don Williams, born in 1916, ran the family hardware business and eventually purchased Stadelman Hardware, renaming it Don Williams Hardware. In a move still discussed today, he tore down the historic Sampson family house to make way for a commercial structure—still standing to this day across from the Wasco County Library. When his sister Florence, who had inherited the Bennett–Williams House, passed away, Don became its next caretaker.

Through all these transitions, the house remained a constant. In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and later included in the Trevitt’s Addition Historic District. Today, the home continues to showcase its original turret, woodwork, stained glass, and porch—testaments to craftsmanship that has weathered generations.

But more than its architecture, what makes the Bennett–Williams House special are the stories within it: the ambitions of an Oregon Supreme Court judge, the flair of a merchant matriarch, the adventures of children, and the echoes of both joy and heartbreak. It is not just a beautiful home; it’s a living chronicle of The Dalles—a place where history doesn’t just live in books, but in walls, floorboards, and memories still passed down.

Photos courtesy of Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Pioneer Association