This single-story Italianate Commercial building was constructed in 1890. The original owner/builder was Jeremiah Despain. His house stood in the east lot next door. For many years, it housed Rohrman's Bakery, which was one of the first bakeries in Pendleton. Mr. Charles Rohrman first opened a shop in the LaDow Block across the street and sold baked goods, glassware, and china of many years before moving into this building.
This brick building is 29' wide by 97' deep, with an alleyway on the west side. The east wall's original painted signage can be seen inside the Haw Building next door. There is brick corbelling with a crest panel in the center of the front parapet. This building has remained essentially intact since it was built and serves as a good example of simple Italianate commercial buildings built in Pendleton during the era.
By 1932 the building was the home of the Sunlite Bakery. The front half of the building (sales room) has wooden floors while the back half (oven area) has concrete floors. Many businesses including a mechanical shop, the Pendleton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary second hand store, an antique store, and a tanning salon have operated from this location.
In 2008-2009, the building received restoration work through a Façade Restoration Grant from the Pendleton Development Commission. New glass
and restoration of transom-window panels, repointed brick, paint removal from the brick, and the addition of the name Rohrman Bakery, 1890 to the parapet crest were part of the restoration.
224 SE Court Avenue · Historical Name: Rohrman Backery · Style: Italianate Commercial · D.O.C. 1890 · Register: L
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