Myrtle Creek Bridge
This concrete bridge over Myrtle Creek was built in 1930. Originally the location had a simple wooden bridge, then a covered bridge, then a metal truss bridge. The single-lane steel truss structure was in use from 1911 until It was replaced during the Pacific Highway Improvement Project with the current bridge.
Grist Mill
In thē early 1850s, Lazarus Wright built the first grist mill in this part of the State. The mill stones were sailed around the horn to Scottsburg and freighted to Myrtle Creek. The mill had a capacity of 45 barrels a day. For years, this landmark site supplied settlers from all over the County with their grain products. An adjacent building served as a planing mill and later as an electric power plant. Both were powered by a mill race that ran from a dam up North Myrtle Creek and under Main Street. Wright also operated a hotel and was the first Postmaster when the Myrtle Creek Post Office was officially designated in 1854. In August, 1930, the old mill was torn down to make room for the Pacific Highway bridge over Myrtle Creek. A mill stone has survived and is now on display at Millsite Park.
John Hall house
James Weaver was original homestead claimant of the land that is now Myrtle Creek. In the 1850s, he sold his Donation Land Claim to J. Bailey who then sold to Lazarus Wright, who built a grist mill adjacent to the creek. Wright later sold to John Hall. In 1868 Hall had the town site platted and subdivided and, therefore, is considered founder of Myrtle Creek. The Hall home was built around 1870 on Main St near the creek and grist mill. Despite efforts to save the 100 year old historic house, the Hall home was torn town in the 1970s to expand the Elk’s parking lot. John Hall married Susannah Weaver, daughter of Hans Weaver and sister of Edwin Weaver. Susannah Weaver Hall fed and boarded many travellers in their house and also in the Overland Hotel, which was once located across the street (nearly filling entire block from creek to First Ave). John Hall and his family farmed the land now occupied by Millsite Park plus more land acrss creek to east.. Hall is considered the founder of the prune industry in this area. John Hall also served as Mayor and as County Commissioner, was charter member of Oddfellows and was a founder of Citizen State Bank. Following the death of Susannah, John Hall married his brother's widow, Florence Hall, and moved to a house at First and Main, leaving this house on Main Street to his daughter, Emma Buick (wife of C.D. Buick). Emma lived in the Hall home with her sister Grace and others until her death in the 1950s. Emma’s daughter-in-law, Emma Smith Buick, continued to live there until her death around 1970. It was after that that the house was torn down.
Millsite Park
All of what is now Millsite Park was John Hall’s farmland until his death in 1922. In the 1940s and 1950s it was the site of Fir Manufacturing Company (FIRMCO) and Umpqua Plywood. The sawmill and plywood plant occupied all the land from Main St to the river and Fourth Avenue to South Main Street on southeast side.. A huge enterprise, the operation included a gigantic log pond and a railroad siding exclusively for their use. It was a major employer for Myrtle Creek during the timber industry boom years. The current Elks building was originally built in 1946 as the main office for the mill. After the mill closed, the land was donated to the City for public use. Design and construction of Millsite Park began in the 1970s. Improvements continue.Photo: Large saw blade from old sawmill used for park sign.
Rio Theater
Many Myrtle Creek and local area residents remember going to the movies at the Rio Theater, which moved to this location on First Avenue after fire burned the old theater on Main Street. The new theater opened on Friday, January 9, 1953. Unfortunately, the interior of the Rio has since been remodeled to the extent that it cannot be restored to its original condition. However, there is currently effort in progress to restore the sign, marquee and outside lobby of this nostalgic landmark
Post Office in 1950s
Although the exterior has since been covered over with a false front, the building at the corner of First and Oak was once a prime example of Art Moderne architecture. The Hotel is another example of Art Moderne architecture. This streamlined architectural style was prominent in Myrtle Creek in the 40s and 50s. Typical features were sleek lines, curved walls and glass block windows. In 1950’s, this was the location of the Post Office, the California-Oregon Power Company and Jones & Dyer Insurance. Photo 1. Building at 1st and Oak c.2014Photo 2. Building at 1st and Oak when it was post office
John Hall house #2
It is believed that the house at 110 Oak St (next to Ye Olde Art Shoppe) was once the residence of John Hall, founder of Myrtle Creek. It was probably constructed in the 1870s. Photos from around that time show a house at Main and First believed to be this house. It was moved from it’s original location in 1947 because U.S. Bank wanted that location to build a new building.Todd Hall, who farmed the land that is now Millsite Park with his father, John Hall, occupied this house at Main and First in late 1800s. Around the turn of the century, census records no longer list Todd Hall but show John & Florence Hall living in this house (John Hall’s wife Susannah passed away in 1895 & John Hall subsequently married Florence Hall , his brother’s widow) . At this time, census records show John’s daughter Emma Hall Buick and her husband were living in the family home on Main St. by grist mill.This house is in considerable disrepair. Because of it’s association with the founder of Myrtle Creek, many are hopeful it can someday be acquired by a nonprofit agency and restored as a museum or Heritage Center.STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE: Rural Gothic
Gabbert-Kramer house
The house at 230 First Ave was constructed for Ferd Gabbert around 1880-1890 ( it has since received some alterations and attachments). The house with its distinctive gables is prominent in many old photos of town. Ferd Gabbert was born in 1862 in Oregon. His occupation is listed as ‘miller’ in the 1900 census and he operated the grist mill on Main St for many years with his son-in-law, Henry Kramer. Kramer later purchased and lived in the Gabbert house. Ferd Gabbert also had a farm in the northeast part of town. Two annexes to the City are named after Ferd Gabbert. It’s likely that annexed land was once his farm land. Ferd Gabbert must have also been a builder and/or real estate entrepreneur. A number of documents mention homes that were built by Ferd Gabbert, such as the home of Edwin Weaver.STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE: Victorian Gothic, VernacularPHOTO #1 Gabbert-Kramer house c, 2014PHOTO #2 original Gabbert house
Birch tree
Birch tree at 1st & Broadway reported to be planted the morning of Dec 7, 1941 by Ted Rice, who heard the news on the radio about the bombing of Pearl Harbor shortly after planting..
Remick Fate house
Looks like the current owner is doing some restoration of the Remick Fate house at 121 Hall St. Remick Fate was born near Myrtle Creek in 1862. He was the son of David & Mary Ward Fate, who settled first in Dixonville, then Days Creek. David Fate was the First Chairman of the First Republican Convention in Douglas County in 1857. Remick Fate farmed 500 acres near Myrtle Creek and owned storefronts in town, such as the commercial building on Second Avenue that was Hanson’s Jewelers for many years.
Redwood Tree
The large Redwood tree at Hall & 2nd is reported to have been planted by Remick Fate and is possibly over 100 years old.
Schiltz Building
On Second Ave north of the Redwood tree, we have the present Myrtle Creek Community Center. This is known as the Schiltz Building and was location of the Myrtle Creek Mail for many years. The Mail has been in continuous publication since 1902 except for a period during World War II. The original publishers of the newspaper were Thurman Chaney and Charles Rice (at a different location than this). Hal & Portia Schiltz published the newspaper in this building and offered other printing services from 1948 to 1974. They were very active in the community and established a trust giving the building to the City for a community center.
Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage
The current Methodist Church steeple has a slight lean to it. Circa 1938 the minister Jim Wilson fell a big black oak that stood beside the church. It hit the steeple and knocked it awry. They straightened it as best they could, but its still leaning a bit. The stained glass windows that were once in the Presbyterian Church are now in the Methodist Church. The building was occupied by the Grange when church disbanded. Windows ended up in Methodist Church because, it's been said, members of Grange were not comfortable holding dances and events in front of those windows!Photo 1-ChurchPhoto 2- parsonage
McGee house
At the corner of Second and Hall is the McGee house. It is believed that a man named McGee had the house built circa 1900. He was a blacksmith. His son, Charles McGee, was also a blacksmith. This house has been completely restored...actually restored twice! During initial restoration the house caught fire and they had to start over! Restoration was completed and it looks beautiful now, inside and out..
First Christian Church
In the 300 block of Second Ave is the First Christian Church. The congregation was formed in 1855. Between 1870 and 1890, services were held in the old school building which was located where City Hall is now. The present church was completed in 1890. The building was dedicated by renowned evangelist A.B. Wade. Somewhere in time, the upper part of the steeple (about 20 ft) was lost, windows were replaced, front doors replaced, transom light boarded up and an addition added on the left. Otherwise it hasn’t changed much and is the oldest church in town.
Stephenson house
We’re told this was probably constructed in the 1890s for a family named Stephenson, who were retired farmers from Dole, but have been unable to verify. We know that (possible relation) Clara Stephenson White (from Dole) lived at 134 Third Ave with husband, Charles White. Her daughter, Madge, lived in Drake house, across street from this house.
Myrtle Creek City Hall & Police Department
The present location of City Hall on Pleasant St was the site of the first publicly funded school in the late 1800s. It is thought that John Hall, the City's founder, possibly donated the land to build the school. The first school was built of rough lumber but a second building, built around 1890, was a beautiful example of period architecture. When a new brick school was built on Division St in 1909, the wooden schoolhouse was converted to City Hall. After many years of use, the 50+ year old building was in sad condition and was torn down in the 1950s. The new City Hall was completed in 1959. The Police Department addition was completed about 20 years later. The City’s first library was located in back of City Hall, behind the (then) Fire Hall, and had an entrance on Second Ave. The library grew and moved into what is now the Council Chambers and later to the current Douglas County Library building on Division St. The first Fire Hall also outgrew this location and a new Fire Hall was built on Riverside Drive.Photo 1 City Hall c.1960Photo 2 former School building later converted to City Hall
Guy Bates House
The home at 306 3rd Ave was constructed around 1900. It was originally a one story dwelling. The second story was added in the 1930s. The original wraparound porch was redesigned and replaced along with a number of other significant changes.This building is important to the history of Myrtle Creek because it was the home of Guy R. Bates, who was the manager of Citizens State Bank from the late 1920s until his death in the early 1940s. It was “Banker” Bates that remodeled the house in the 1930s. He came to Myrtle Creek from the mid-west.
Stanfield house
The original owners of the 1880s home at 234 Third Ave are not known. We don’t really know why it is known as the “Stanfield house”. The house has received many alterations, including enclosure of the upper porch, replacement of windows and doors and a shed roof attachment at the rear. Fred Buell and a family named Fairbanks were subsequent owners. Fred Buell, who was born in 1873, also lived in another house in Myrtle Creek (on Heard St). Buell was employed by the Rice Brothers and Adams Mercantile Company and his occupation is listed in the 1910 census as retail butcher.
Simon Selig house
The house at 231 Third Ave is now known as the Painted Lady Bed & Breakfast. It was originally built for Simon & Helen Selig, circa 1900. This century old house is in excellent condition, however, it has received some alterations to the windows and front doors.Simon Selig was born in Prussia in 1834. He came to Oregon in 1863. In 1866 he married Helen Solomon. The first year he was in Oregon, he bought a branch of the S. Marks and Company, a mercantile business in Oakland. About 1877, Marks Wollenberg and Company purchased the Hans Weaver and Sons mercantile business in Myrtle Creek. Selig managed this branch of the company. Selig was also postmaster between 1884 and 1889. Their son, Nathan Selig, became Mayor in 1905. He also owned mercantile stores in town.At separate times, this was also the home of the Ireland family and the family of Cordelia Chapin Rice. In later years, ‘Bud’ and JoAnn Agee converted the house to a real estate office. Most recently, Mr & Mrs Dan Jocoy converted it to the Painted Lady Bed & Breakfast & Tea Room.STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE: Colonial Revival
Charles White house
The house at 134 Third Ave was constructed in the 1890s for Charles O. White. White was born in New York in 1842. The 1910 census shows that he owned his own real estate business. White is also remembered as a ‘drummer’....a traveling salesman. He also owned the first movie theater in town. It was located at the corner of Second and Oak. Charles O. White married Clara Stephenson of Dole. Mrs. White operated a boarding house at this location after Mr. White’s death. She was known for her cooking. Clara Stephenson’s first marriage was to a Mr. Mayo (a member of the Mayo Clinic family, but we’re not sure of the relationship).STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE: Colonial Revival
FORMER location of Dr B.F. Fallin’s house/office
Dr. B.F. Fallin was a familiar sight to many in Myrtle Creek area, visiting patients in his horse and buggy. The Dr’s wooden medicine chest is on display at the Douglas County Museum.Dr Fallin traveled the Oregon trail and ended up in Myrtle Creek. He was a practicing physician and there was a separate entrance to his office in the home that he had built on this corner in 1882. The house was torn down around the time the telephone company built their switching office here. Photo is of house in early years before it was torn down
Moore building
The building at 231 N. Main Street is known as the Moore building. This storefront was constructed between 1910 and 1912. A portion of the year of construction is evident on the second story of the facade. Since then, the first story has been faced with brick and the windows replaced. Originally the first story was divided into 3 bays (stores) and occupied by Smiths Grocery, a bakery and a furniture store operated by Charles A. Strong. Strong also sold funeral caskets. A theater and the Myrtle Creek Telephone Exchange were once located in the second story. The Exchange moved across street to Hurst building around 1920. Sometime after that, the second floor became the I.O.O.F. Hall.In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Kusler’s Super Market occupied the first floor of the Moore building. The market entrance used to be on Main Street but, when it became Stan’s Market, the entrance was moved to the rear, facing the parking lot.Photo 1. Moore building circa 2007Photo 2. Moore building shortly after being constructed
Hurst building
Built around 1920, the William Hurst storefront at 216 N. Main St was originally divided into 2 bays (stores). Hurst built the storefront to house the Myrtle Creek Telephone Exchange office (which was originally located in the Moore building across street). The Telephone Exchange provided service as far as Riddle and Canyonville and was labeled as the “largest independent system in the State” by one biographer. In recent years windows & doors have been altered along with other modifications that completely change the appearance of the original building.Hurst also owned a hardware store. He served as Justice of the Peace in Myrtle Creek and also served as City Recorder. Before moving to Myrtle Creek he was employed as a teacher, a mechanical engineer and operated a boat on the Columbia River for several years.
Weaver building
The Weaver building at 205 N.Main St is the largest brick building in town and was constructed for Ike and Cleo Weaver around 1910-1912 (about the same time as the Moore building). Old photographs of the Weaver building show a very attractive brick facade with storefronts facing both Main St and Second Ave. But alas, the brick has been painted, windows, doors & awnings have been altered, and the second story has remained boarded up since a devastating fire in 1950. The extensive fire involved this building and all others along this side of Second Avenue and along Oak St, displacing over 15 businesses, most of which never reopened.At one time a meat market and Myrtle Drug occupied the first floor facing Main St. with 2 retail shops facing Second Ave. The second story was divided into office space for doctors, lawyers and realtors. Between 1922 and 1926 the second story was used as a hotel. Ida Weaver was proprietor of “Myrtle Hotel”. In 1943, Dr. Vern Adams and Zola Strong McGinnis operated a maternity hospital on second floor.J.E. Creason was first owner of the Myrtle Drug Store, which was located on the corner. The business changed hands a few times and sold to Ted Rice in 1936. It was Mr Rice that moved Myrtle Drug across Second Ave to the Citizens State Bank building in 1947 (when the bank relocated to what is now U.S. Bank). After that, the Terminal Cafe (later Rollie’s Cafe) operated a soda fountain and Greyhound bus depot at the corner. History tells us that Shirley Temple stopped there for a soda while traveling.Photo 1 Weaver building circa 2014Photo 2 Weaver building in early years
Remick Fate storefront
Built around 1900 by Remick Fate, the storefront at 112 Second Avenue is one of two historic buildings in town constructed of brick. The original doors and entry wells have been altered and the original tall windows replaced with shorter, aluminum frame windows. In 1912, the northernmost bay was occupied by the Myrtle Creek Post Office and a general merchandise store. A grocery store was in the middle bay and the southernmost bay was a hardware store.In 1931, a meat market occupied the northernmost bay. The remainder of building was occupied by a feed store and hardware store. In the 1930s, C.A. Strong rented space in this building for his furniture store. In recent years this building is best known as the location of Hanson’s Jewelers, which occupied the location for many years.Remick Fate was the son of David Fate (the First Chairman of the First Republican Convention in Douglas County). Remick Fate was an entrepreneur who also farmed 500 acres near Myrtle Creek.Photo of Fate building c.2007
Citizens State Bank
The building at 139 N. Main is known as the “Citizens State Bank”, sometimes also referred to as “Myrtle Drug”. It was constructed in 1930 and exhibits elements of the Art Deco style popular in that era. It was built to replace the old bank building at the same location since the late 1880s. John Hall, founder of Myrtle Creek, was one of the founders of the original bank. Guy R. Bates managed the bank until his death in 1944. The building was eventually sold to U.S. Bank and, when U.S. Bank moved to a new building at Main and First in 1947, this building was sold to Ted Rice. Rice moved Myrtle Drug from Weaver Building across street to this new location. Myrtle Drug went through a few changes and eventually closed about 50 years later.
Rice Brothers & Adams Building
The Rice Brothers & Adams building at 136 N. Main is the only commercial building in town that is on the National Historic Register. This large building is the most noticeable building on Main St and takes up nearly half a block, the other half of block mostly occupied by the Myrtle Theater (also built by the Rice Brothers).The original owner of the building, James Rice, needed a larger store and warehouse than the building which housed his first grocery & dry goods store (located up Main Street). Mr. Rice had been one of the first settlers in the area and initially was a farmer. His farm was located next to the Chieftain and Continental gold mines. The superintendent of the Chieftain told Rice that, if he would start a grocery store, the mines would purchase all of their supplies from him. Therefore, he started a store in 1900.. By 1913 he had grown out of the first building and moved to a larger building. But he still felt a need for a large warehouse in addition to the store so he could store supplies through the winter. He took in a partner, Henry Adams. Harry Rice, his brother, also decided to join the venture. The Rice brothers and Adams designed a building to meet the needs of the community. This was a concrete poured structure. They framed in the walls and poured the concrete by hitching the horses to a scaffolding which held one wheelbarrow filled with concrete. The horses then pulled the scaffolding up and down the sides of the building to pour the concrete. A lot more about this building can be found in the City's Historic Inventory.Photo 1 Rice Brothers and Adams Building c.2007, in need of some repairPhoto 2 Rice Brothers and Adams Building about 3-5 years after construction
Myrtle Theatre
The building at 126 N. Main was originally the Myrtle Theatre. It was constructed of cast-in-place concrete in 1917 for the Rice Brothers and Adams Company (adjacent to their mercantile business). The building has received several alterations, including replacement of windows, doors and addition of a false front. For many years the Post Office occupied the right bay and the Myrtle Theater occupied the left bay.The Post Office suffered a significant fire in 1943, The City Meat Market & Bakery and an unknown business in building also burned that day. After that, the Post Office re-located to corner of First Ave and Oak St (in a building shared with 2 other businesses).Both silent movies and ‘talkies’ were shown in the theater. After the theater closed due to a fire, it eventually re-opened in a brand new building on First Avenue (Rio Theater) next to California-Oregon Power Company on Friday, January 9, 1953.
Shirtcliff garage
Henry Shirtcliff established a service garage at the corner of Main Street and First Avenue in 1921. For nearly 50 years, Myrtle Creek was an important gasoline, motel and food stop along Pacific Highway (aka Highway 99), the primary north-south route through the State until Interstate 5 was completed in 1970s, bypassing town.. Before I-5, Myrtle Creek Garage was among a dozen or so service stations along the Main St, Myrtle Creek, section of Pacific Highway.The original wooden service station burned down and the present concrete block building was constructed in 1933. Still visible embossed on the building’s front facade is “H.M. Shirtcliff 1933”. Shirtcliff Oil Company has since relocated the service station to a new building and the current tenant of the remodeled building is the St. Vincent dePaul Society.Photo 1. Shirtcliff building, circa 2014, tenant St Vincent dePaulPhoto 2. Shirtcliff building, Myrtle Creek Garage in building built 1933, after wood building burned.
