Portland's Old Ladies' Home Society, organized on March 3, 1893, by pioneer Mary H. Holbrook, was referred to as the "prototype" for the Old People's Home in Gaston's "Portland, Oregon..." (1911). It was supported by charitable donations, the must substantial of which came from Henry W. Corbett and Amanda Reed. But the costs exceeded expectations. In 1908 Peter John Mann offered to purchase property and construct the home, under the condition that it serve all people, not just women. After Mann's death, his wife, Anna Mary E. Mann, carried forward his wishes by contributing a large portion of their estate to the cause. The building was completed by 1919.
^"Oregon National Register List"(PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. June 6, 2011. p. 36. Archived(PDF) from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.