Sometimes inspiration comes in the strangest places. In this case, two of our cities’ finest songwriters—Norfolk & Western shredder Adam Selzer and Weinland folkie Adam Shearer—found solace in, well, the not-so-living. “A Home A House An Institution…” (the long title more a kind nudge and sly declaration of their intentions then Fiona Apple whimsy), takes the duo’s love for Neil Young, whiskey, and historically-centered songwriting to tell the tale of one of Oregon’s most decorated characters: Dr. J.C. Hawthorne.

The track comes from the new compilation (D)early Departed: True Lies In Song Unearthed From Lone Fir, which features some of PDX’s finest folk-pop songwriters indulging in a bit of deathly storytelling. The record’s conceit is pretty simple: Each musician picked one of the Lone Fir Cemetery’s residents and was given liberal freedom to concoct a life story, as long as the actual death was left intact. Selzer and Shearer play it sparse, with just acoustic guitar, subtle drums, and piano, and the background aptly suits the song’s protagonist. Sung from the perspective of a patient of Dr. Hawthorne’s, “A House A Home An Institution…” is the type of concept song where you don’t really need to know the story to appreciate the earnest, reflective beauty of the tune. But I’m sorta a history buff, and this is pretty damn interesting. Here’s the real story behind the song—be sure to read while you listen.

From the Lone Fir site:

Dr. J.C. Hawthorne had a significant influence on Oregon history. In 1864, he built the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in Southeast Portland, which housed all of the state’s mental patients for 20 years, until the Salem Hospital was built in 1883. The asylum burned down in 1888.

Dr. Hawthorne has been referred to as a hero of America’s psychiatric history. He helped change the care of mental patients to a much more humane standard, respectful of the patients as human beings, worthy of respect. His asylum held weekly religious services and had a large garden and farm operation where patients grew their own food. Dorothea Dix, a national advocate for care of the poor and insane at the time, approved of his work and visited twice.

Dr. Hawthorne was a true pillar of the community and really “walked his talk.” He made sure that 132 of his patients who died without family had proper memorial services and paid for their burials at Lone Fir Cemetery. Many of them are buried under the driveway at the main entrance. It is believed that most of these graves had wooden markers and deteriorated over time. Years later, when the driveway was established, it may not have been known that Dr. Hawthorne’s patients were there.

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Links:
WeinlandSpace
Norfolk & WesternSpace
Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery

Photo of Adam Shearer by Adam Porterfield. Just imagine Selzer is there with him.

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