Blake McFall Company Building
Encyclopedia
The Blake McFall Company Building, also known as the Emmett Building, in southeast Portland
in the U.S. state
of Oregon
, is a five-story commercial warehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Designed by McNaughton & Raymond of Portland and built in 1915, it was added to the register in 1990. The 100 by structure is representative of a group of timber-framed
loft warehouses built in the early 20th century on the east side of the Willamette River
.
over the Willamette River in 1888 established a rail link between downtown Portland and East Portland
, which already had good rail connections to the east and south. During subsequent decades, an industrial area developed along the river's east bank to store and re-ship merchandise arriving by rail and river steamer
. Companies like John Deere
, International Harvester
, and Blake, Moffitt & Towne built multi-story warehouses in this area. The Blake McFall Company Building, near the east ramp of the Burnside Bridge
, was at the northern edge of the warehouse district.
Blake McFall was a wholly owned subsidiary of Blake, Moffitt & Towne, which at that time was the leading wholesale paper distributor on the Pacific coast. It bought and re-shipped products ranging from newsprint
to writing papers, wrapping, and bags. Served mainly by rail, the warehouse received large shipments that were subdivided in Portland and sent to the company's seven divisions in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho
. A warehouse in Seattle gradually replaced some of the Portland-based functions, and by the 1940s shipping by truck had rendered the Portland warehouse obsolete. Blake, Moffitt, & Towne abandoned the building in 1957.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, is a five-story commercial warehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Designed by McNaughton & Raymond of Portland and built in 1915, it was added to the register in 1990. The 100 by structure is representative of a group of timber-framed
Timber framing
Timber framing , or half-timbering, also called in North America "post-and-beam" construction, is the method of creating structures using heavy squared off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs . It is commonplace in large barns...
loft warehouses built in the early 20th century on the east side of the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
.
History
Completion of the Steel BridgeSteel Bridge
The Steel Bridge is a through truss, double lift bridge across the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, United States. Its lower deck carries railroad and bicycle/pedestrian traffic, while the upper deck carries road traffic and light rail , making the bridge one of the most multimodal in the world...
over the Willamette River in 1888 established a rail link between downtown Portland and East Portland
East Portland, Oregon
East Portland was a city in the U.S. state of Oregon that was consolidated into Portland in 1891. It was founded on a land claim by James B. Stephens in 1846, who bought a land claim from John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company...
, which already had good rail connections to the east and south. During subsequent decades, an industrial area developed along the river's east bank to store and re-ship merchandise arriving by rail and river steamer
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
. Companies like John Deere
John Deere
John Deere was an American blacksmith and manufacturer who founded Deere & Company, one of the largest and leading agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers in the world...
, International Harvester
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
, and Blake, Moffitt & Towne built multi-story warehouses in this area. The Blake McFall Company Building, near the east ramp of the Burnside Bridge
Burnside Bridge
The Burnside Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.-Design:Including approaches, the Burnside has a total length of and a center span. While lowered this span is normally above the river. The deck is made of concrete, which contributes to its being one of...
, was at the northern edge of the warehouse district.
Blake McFall was a wholly owned subsidiary of Blake, Moffitt & Towne, which at that time was the leading wholesale paper distributor on the Pacific coast. It bought and re-shipped products ranging from newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
to writing papers, wrapping, and bags. Served mainly by rail, the warehouse received large shipments that were subdivided in Portland and sent to the company's seven divisions in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. A warehouse in Seattle gradually replaced some of the Portland-based functions, and by the 1940s shipping by truck had rendered the Portland warehouse obsolete. Blake, Moffitt, & Towne abandoned the building in 1957.