Main Street Union Oregon Walking Tour Preview

1

Historic Union Hotel

In 1919 the businessmen of Union recognized the need to provide modern accommodations and dinning facilities for motorists going through town on Highway 30, the main rout of travel through Eastern Oregon. The Union Hotel was opened in 1921. This imposing three-story brick building is the largest commercial structure on Union's Main Street. The red brick walls are accented with white brick and the grande entrance features a wide central staircase leading to a broad covered porch that opens into an extensive lobby. After its initial heyday, the hotel declines. Restoration began in the 1990's and continues even today. The Union Hotel is renowned for its beautiful theme rooms and excellent food. (6)

2

Single Story Bungalow

This single story bungalow was built in the 1920's by Thomas and Charles Adams. The Adams brothers constructed a number of quality Union residences between 1910 and 1930. Today this home still has its original character (5)

3

Mansard Style House

This Mansard style house was built in 1904 by Abel Eaton, The lowered roof-line erupting in gabled windows engulfs the upper story and, in effect turns the attic into a second story. The house contains six bedrooms, two baths and two parlors. The interior wood and brick work if the home still show the original craftsmanship. The hanging staircase is an engineering marvel. Mr. Eaton was a businessman involved in many area, including freighting and ranching. In 1898 he built on of the largest woolen mills in the stats in the city of Union. He was mayor of Union, a school board member and a Prohibitionist candidate for Governor. Because Mr. Eaton did not trust banks, he built two vaults beneath the house, which were accesses by trapdoors, and paid this employees in cash (2). This is a private residence-please do not disturb

4

Renaissance Revival style

Virginia-born Jeremiah Thomson moved west during the 1850's. serving as a government scout to help immigrants settle in Oregon. in 1873 he built this beautiful home, a simple cottage with an ornate Renaissance Revival style octagon tower. (43). This is a private residence-please do not disturb

5

The Union Drug Store

The Union Drug Store building, built in 1903 by L.A. Wright, sits on the site of one of the earliest dwellings in Union. Those first structures succumbed to fire except for the building used by JA Chapman, who had Union's first store. The building is a good example of the 20th century commercial architecture. Today enjoy the building expansion and newly constructed soda fountain (40) Union Main Street.

6

Wilson Brothers Building

A blacksmith stand occupied this spot in the 1870's before the Wilson Brothers brick building was erected in the 1890s. The Union Railroad offices were housed here until the line was abandoned in 1924. (37)

7

The Union National Bank

The Union National Bank began in 1910 and merged with the first National Bank in 1919. The north addition to this building, the Oregon Trail Garage, was owned by Thomas Baxter into the 1950's. the buildings have served various commercial functions. (35A) (35B)

8

Benson Brothers Meat Packing Company

Built in 1881 as the Benson Brothers Meat Packing Company, this building is one of the longest continuous use structure for the same type of business. It was advertised in the 1880's and 90's as "Union's Meat Market". The middle portion was a harness shop before 1900 and the south portion a millinery shop (31)

9

Italianate commercial style

This Italianate commercial style building was built in 1870. Wright is said to have operated Union's first bank out of this building, living in the small dwelling attached tot he rear. The site become a grocery and stationary store in 1884 and a small office was added about 1885. Through the years it has housed a millinery shop, a photo shop, a cobbler and harness shop, a shoe repair shop, a carpentry shop, and a card and gift shop. Today when you enter the double wood doors, you can walk into a charming pub that offers good food, beer and wine. (28)

10

First National Bank of Union

William Roth built this commercial building in 188; it was the site of the First National Bank of Union until 1952, when a more "Modern" bank was built up the street. The second Story was originally used as the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall. The one-story "annex" portion was built in 1882. Sanborn Maps from the 1880's and 1890's indicate that this was used as a post office. With it distinguished sentimental arch windows and door openings, this brick building in an excellent example of Italianate commercial building. In 1968 the Union County Museum Society began developing the building for exhibits. Today this building is full of memories and artifacts of days gone by, housing the history of the City of union as well as Union County. Open May-October (26-27)

11

Union High School

Union High School was constructed in 1911 and looks today much like it did when it opened, with towering columns as its main entry continuing to provide a look of elegance. The building occupies land where the Union County Courthouse once stood. (25)

12

Little White Church

Originally the Methodist Church, the Little White Church is a single story vernacular Gothic style church built in 1873 by early Methodist settlers. This is one of the oldest Church building remaining in Union. The Church has a stone foundation, is clad in clapboard, and has steeply pitched gable roof. The steeple and the bell tower were added in 1885. The central entrance portico also has a gable roof. (23)

13

Union City Hall

Union City Hall is on the record as being one of the smallest and oldest in Oregon. The construction of City Hall was undertaken in earnest late in 1880's to provide a fitting place for business for the growing town, as well as a new city jail (housed in the northwest corner of the first floor.) There were numerous construction delays, which resulted in the ultimate completion date not in 1891 as inscription would suggest, but in the spring of 1892. This structure also housed the fire hook and ladder truck and the hose cart after its completion. The tower base, located on the northeast corner of the building, retains its simple cornice and originally housed the fire bell. In the 1950's a single story garage addition was built to accommodate the growing fire department. The tower base now is mounted with an electric fire siren system. The City Hall proper has never been used for any other purposes. (22)

14

Levy Brothers General Store

Levy Brothers General Store, this one-story rectangular building built in 1870, has a stone foundation, volcanic tuff storefront and brick walls. The storefront was originally Italianate with cast iron, but was changed around the turn of the 20th century. Two original slender cast iron columns remain on either side of the recessed entrance. The intact metal cornice s topped at the corner with ball finials. Built by Aaron Sommer, this was the first brick building erected in Union (20).

15

Masonic Lodge

The Masonic Lodge was built in 1898 on the property donated by John Burns, the proprietor of Union's first hardware store. This prominent two-story structure is built with red brick volcanic tuff front. Today, it is the Union Post Office. (19)

16

Italianate commercial building

The Italianate commercial building was built in 1873; in 1877 and adjacent facility was built. The north site comprised a general mercantile establishment called Foster Bridges & Company, which did business into the 1890s. By 1900 this establishment became the Elk Saloon, and by 1910 this site was sued as a moving picture theater. Today the building house Hometown Hardware, Liquor Store and Espresso (17)

17

Eagle Tavern

Built in 1920 by Leo Hanson, the Eagle Tavern has a stepped parapet and an altered store front. It was operated as a tavern during most of its existence. Today the building houses the Knitkaboob Knitting Shop. (14)

18

Knights of Pythias Hall

The Knights of Pythias Hall was built in the Italianate style in 1898. This versatile building has been used as a lodge hall, office, a Japanese restaurant, and a Mercantile and Grocery. The upper story was used as a dance hall until good TV reception arrived in Union, prompting the saying "Come, stumble and Fall and the KP Hall" (11)

19

Wright and Davis Mercantile Building

The Wright and Davis Mercantile Building left, built in 1880, has a flat roof with a stepped parapet, The middle section, built in 1891, does not reflect its original style. I has houses and electric/ plumbing store, a bowing alley, and auto, truck and farm machinery repair shop. The Cock Brother Building, right, which is now the Union Market, was hoe of Cock Brother Furniture and Undertakers (8c), (88), *A)

20

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library, in the summer of 1912, the City of Union received a letter with a postmark from Scotland. It was from Andrew Carnegie, and in the letter the gentlemen offered to give the City $5,500 to build a library. With the money, the City let a contract to build a brick building and construct a levee along Catherine Creek for protection, Andrew Carnegie requested only two thins for his $5,500; that his name be displayed on the front of the building, and that it be noted at the library was a gift from him. It is the only Carnegie library in Oregon hat has not changed from its historical structure and is still being used as a library. (7B)

21

Union City Park

The Union City Park, the land for the Historic City Park was donated by Samual and Ester Pursel in 1917 (7A)