Many of Oregon’s traditional downtowns are at a tipping point, half-empty, their historic facades in decay. Since 2010 Restore Oregon has hosted workshops across the state seeking solutions to revitalize these economic and cultural centers, and we believe the single most important thing we can do to revitalize Main Streets across Oregon is to pass […]
Rebirth of Egyptian Theater—Many More to Come?
After three years of intense community advocacy, Coos Bay’s beloved Egyptian Theatre is shining bright once again. The downtown landmark was listed as one of Oregon’s Most Endan gered Places® in the spring of 2011 fol lowing its closure due to structural safety concerns. At the time of its listing as an Endangered Place, the theater […]
A Case Study in Preservation Law: Christie School
Only 62 designated Landmark buildings remain in Lake Oswego. Today, the community faces the sixth public hearing in three years regarding the delisting or major alteration of a Landmark property: the 106-year-old Christie School. Until recently, delisting applications were based on city code which allows removal of designation only if specific criteria are met. However, […]
135 Years at Burns Municipal Historic Cemetery
Burns Cemetery was established in January 1879 with the burial of George Baker, an early pioneer to Harney County, located in Southeast, Oregon. A lot has happened at the Burns Cemetery in its 135 years. Long gone are the traces of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Wagon Road. In 1929 Mrs. Archie McGowan worked with […]
Seeking Information About Oregon’s African American Historic Places
The Oregon Black Pioneers, in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), has launched a new property survey project entitled Preserving Oregon’s African American Historic Places. The purpose of the project is to protect and preserve significant sites related to Oregon’s African history from the time period of 1844 to 1984. Who Are the […]
That’s a Wrap! Over 800 People Attended the 2014 Restore Oregon Mid-Century Modern Home Tour
Over Mother’s Day weekend more than 800 people took part in the celebration of architect Pietro Belluschi’s Mid-Century Modern residential work, producing record breaking attendance and setting the bar even higher for next year’s event. The “Belluschi weekend” started Friday night at the Portland Art Museum where accomplished architect, Tony Belluschi, lectured to more than […]
Can a New Vision Save Salem’s Historic School for the Blind?
Four years after purchasing the former site of the Oregon State School for the Blind, Salem Hospital has submitted an application to demolish the last remaining building standing on its campus: Howard Hall. Originally built as a boy’s dormitory, Howard Hall served as a central part of the school from the 1920s until the school’s […]
Breaking: Victorian Mansion Saved Mid-Demolition
May 9, 2014. After an intense month of neighborhood uncertainty, Restore Oregon received confirmation today that NW Portland’s 1898 Goldsmith House will be saved from demolition thanks to a preservation-minded development team. The Max Goldsmith House, located at 1507 NW 24th Avenue, was designed by prominent Portland architect Edgar Lazarus in the Shingle style. Lazarus is […]
Hermiston Library Celebrates Centennial
May 16th marks the 100th birthday of the Hermiston Library, an event that will be celebrated with tours, cake, and entertainment by local high school bands. Hermiston was one of 31 communities across Oregon fortunate enough to boast a Carnegie Library, built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 1,689 […]
Cape Arago Lighthouse Site Faces Dim Future
Since 1866, the Cape Arago Light Station has provided a beacon guiding mariners along the Pacific Ocean near Coos Bay on the southern Oregon coast. The current 1935 lighthouse, which is actually 2.5 miles north of Cape Arago on Chief’s Island at Gregory Point, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 […]