Sunday, December 28, 2014

Historic Downtown Salem #26: Starkey-McCully Block

223-233 Commercial Street NE

IMG_3240 Starkey-McCully Block in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006
Starkey-McCully Block on September 4, 2006.

Only 70 feet of the original 120 feet of the 1867-built Italianate-style Starkey-McCully block remains. It originally extended to the end of the block where the Anderson Building stands today. The cast iron decoration on the facade was made by the Oregon Iron Works of Portland and is believed to be the oldest of its kind remaining in Oregon.

IMG_3241 Starkey-McCully Block in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006
Starkey-McCully Block Detail on September 4, 2006.

Using money gleaned from the California gold rush, John L. Starkey and Asa McCully opened their second general store here in 1867. Other occupants of the building before 1886 (when Salem adopted street numbers) included the Nicklin & Company general store and Mrs. Snyder’s millinery shop.

IMG_4556 Starkey-McCully Block in Salem, Oregon on November 30, 2006
Starkey-McCully Block on November 30, 2006.

By 1894 there were two grocery stores in the southern part of the building, and in the northern portion were Charles W. Hellenbrand’s restaurant, Charles G. Giver’s shoe & boot repair shop, and E.S. Lamport’s harness shop, which remained here until Lamport’s death in 1912.

IMG_4557 Starkey-McCully Block in Salem, Oregon on November 30, 2006
Starkey-McCully Block on November 30, 2006.

Later occupants include Watt Shipp & Company sporting goods from 1913 to 1915, Quackenbush Auto Supplies in 1921, F.W. Pettyjohn & Company automobiles in 1924, Nash Furniture Company from 1928 to 1945. Coast to Coast hardware from 1947 to 1948, and Valley Furniture from 1951 to 1956, and the Army & Navy Store. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 12, 1979. A 2006 paint job greatly improved its appearance.

IMG_4555 Starkey-McCully Block in Salem, Oregon on November 30, 2006
Starkey-McCully Block on November 30, 2006.

Additional Links:
Starkey-McCully Building at Salem Online History

Historical Photos:
Starkey-McCully Building, 1945-1955 (Salem Public Library)
Starkey-McCully Building, 1992 (Salem Public Library)

Continue to 27: South First National Bank Block

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