Oregon City #26: Jacobs Memorial Square

Plaque at Jacobs Memorial Square on August 19, 2006

The Oregon City Manufacturing Company, established in 1864, was the third oldest corporation in Oregon, and operated the largest woolen mill west of the Mississippi River on the banks of the Willamette in Oregon City. In 1867, brothers Isaac and Ralph Jacobs, immigrants from Germany, owned the owned the mill. It was later passed on to Ralph's son Adolf, under whose leadership the company became known throughout America for its high-quality woolens.

Plaque at Jacobs Memorial Square on August 19, 2006

The company shut down in 1954. That year, Frances and Hilda Jacobs established the Ralph and Adolf Jacobs Foundation in memory of their father and brother, dedicated to education and other charitable causes. Oregon City's Block 62, on the southeast corner of Sixth and John Adams Streets, was purchased by the trustees of the foundation and given to the people of Oregon City. The square is dedicated as Jacobs Memorial Square in memory of the Jacobs family to "be forever used for the recreational, education and/or civic purposes of the residents of the city." The plaques at the square were placed by the city of Oregon City in 1974.

Plaque at Jacobs Memorial Square on August 19, 2006

Continue to 27: Oregon City Municipal Elevator…

Oregon City #25: Andersen’s Gun Shop

Andersen’s Gun Shop Storefront on August 19, 2006

I don't know how long it has been since Andersen's Gun Shop has occupied this storefront on Seventh Street in Oregon City, but it has clearly been many years since this sign was painted by hand; I am guessing since the 1940s or 50s. The sign has since disappeared.

Continue to 26: Jacobs Memorial Square…

Oregon City #24: Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker

Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker on August 19, 2006

Beginning after World War II, National Garden Clubs across the country began erecting Blue Star Memorials and declaring roads as Blue Star Memorial Highways as tributes to the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America. This section of Oregon State Highway 99E was sponsored as a Blue Star Memorial Highway by the Clackamas District #15 of the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. in cooperation with the Oregon State Highway Department, the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Garden Clubs of Clackamas District #15.

Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker on August 19, 2006

Continue to 25: Andersen’s Gun Shop…

Oregon City #23: VFW/American Legion Hall

109 South Tumwater Drive

Oregon City VFW/American Legion Hall on August 19, 2006

This building is the meeting hall for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1324 and the American Legion Willamette Falls Post #5. The Veterans of Foreign Wars host bingo here every Saturday night at 5:30.

Oregon City VFW/American Legion Hall Sign on August 19, 2006

Continue to 24: Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker…

Oregon City #22: Freight Depot

1709 Washington Street

Oregon City Freight Depot on August 19, 2006

This building was a freight depot for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Oregon City. It was originally located on the south side of Abernethy Creek near 16th Street. It was moved in the 1970s to the St. Johns area of North Portland. In 1986 it was purchased by Historic Properties LLC and moved to this spot (not far from its original location) as office space called "The Depot," eventually housing Bill R. McCracken Accounting and Tax Service, Applied Handling NW, Inc., and Farmers Insurance.

Oregon City Freight Depot Sign on August 19, 2006

It was scheduled to be moved in 2007 to the site of Oregon City's Amtrak depot. The building was finally moved on April 28, 2010.

Continue to 23: VFW/American Legion Hall…

Oregon City #21: S.P.R.R. Undercrossing

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing in Oregon City on August 19, 2006.

Also known as the Pacific Highway Underpass, this undercrossing was built in 1936 to carry the Southern Pacific Railroad over Oregon State Highway 99E.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing in Oregon City on August 19, 2006.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Detail on August 19, 2006.

Today, the railroad it carries is the Union Pacific, as well as Amtrak passenger trains.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing in Oregon City on August 19, 2006.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Plaque on August 19, 2006.

It was built by the Parker-Schram Company under a cooperative agreement between the United States Bureau of Public Roads and the Oregon State Highway Commission.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Plaque on August 19, 2006.

This undercrossing features a separate pedestrian tunnel and architectural details not seen on overpasses built today.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Pedestrian Tunnel on August 19, 2006.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Pedestrian Tunnel on August 19, 2006.

S.P.R.R. Undercrossing Light Fixture on August 19, 2006.

It is similar to another such undercrossing in Salem, Oregon.

Continue to 22: Freight Depot…

Oregon City #20: Clackamas County Courthouse

801 Main Street

Clackamas County Courthouse on August 19, 2006

The Clackamas County Courthouse was built in 1936. It replaced an earlier courthouse built in 1884 in the same location. Today it mainly houses state court offices.

Clackamas County Courthouse on August 19, 2006

The courthouse features some impressive Native American-inspired architectural details.

Clackamas County Courthouse on August 19, 2006

Historical Photo:
Clackamas County Courthouse, Feb. 1960 (Salem Public Library)

Clackamas County Courthouse on August 19, 2006

Two historical markers are in front of the courthouse. One was placed in November, 1946 by the Oregon City Chamber of Commerce. The monument was sponsored by the Oregon Council of the American Pioneer Trails Association and gives historical information about early Oregon City, the Oregon Trail and the Barlow Road.

Old Oregon Trail Plaque on August 19, 2006

Historical Photo:
Oregon Trail Plaque, August 1948 (Salem Public Library)

The second monument was placed by the Oregon City Hilltop Boosters in April, 1977. It is dedicated to William Simon U'Ren, a blacksmith and lawyer who authored the provisions in Oregon's constitution for initiative referendum and recall, leading him to be known as the father of Oregon's enlightened system of government.

William Simon U’Ren Plaque on August 19, 2006

There is a plaza next to the courthouse on its north side. This plaza was once the site of the Liberty Theatre. The theater was built in 1921. It closed in 1960 and became an 88 Cent Store, which later became known as Sav-A-Dollar. Clackamas County purchased the building in 1990. The upper floor was rented for office use. Sav-A-Dollar closed in 1991 and the county began using the main floor for records storage. The office tenant moved out in the mid-1990s and the building was demolished in 2004.

Liberty Theatre at the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society

Ralph M. Holman Law Center on September 26, 2007

Another Clackamas County building is on the other side of Liberty Plaza from the courthouse, occupying the corner at the other end of the block.

Ralph M. Holman Plaque on September 26, 2007

In July, 2007, this building was dedicated the Ralph M. Holman Law Center by Oregon's Fifth Judicial District and Clackamas County Commissioners Martha Schrader, Lynn Peterson, Bill Kennemer and Larry Sowa.

Bagpipers for the dedication of the Ralph M. Holman Law Center on July 20, 2007

Ralph M. Holman was a descendent of Oregon pioneers who settled in Clackamas County. He served as a Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge from 1950 to 1965 and was an Oregon Supreme Court Justice from 1965 to 1980.

Bagpipers for the dedication of the Ralph M. Holman Law Center on July 20, 2007

The Ralph M. Holman Law Center was dedicated "in honor of his distinguished public service and philanthropic contributions to citizens of Clackamas County and to the State of Oregon."

Continue to 21: S.P.R.R. Undercrossing…