This corner lot was originally the home of Jeremiah and Nancy Despain - early settlers and developers of Pendleton. Despain Avenue and Despain Gulch are named in their memory. Their house sat on this corner from 1874 until it was torn down to make room for the Haw Building in 1915. Outdoor advertising was painted on the east side of the exterior of the Rohrman Bldg. next door while the Despain home was still there. That exterior wall and original advertising painting is now part of the the Haw Building's interior.
In 1917 the Independent Garage operated from this building. The business was operated by Paul Hemmelgarn & Son. Paul and his son, Carl. Together, they owned the Pioneer Bottling Works a block west until prohibition shut that business down. The pair then went into the auto mechanic trade. Over the next 70 years the building changed hands many times (see timeline).
In 2009 a major remodel partially funded by a Pendleton Development Commission Façade Restoration Grant was completed which maintained the original look of the building.
The industrial-style building is made of reinforced concrete with plaster walls. There are concrete floors on the first floor. Cars of the era could be driven to the second floor and into the basement for auto repairs. The building is essentially unchanged since it was built. Original
windows were saved on the first floor.

(timeline across the bottom:)
1925-1933 Auto Clearing House, an auto wrecking firm · 1940 Plumbing and sheet-metal workshop · 1951-1953 Vacant · 1955-1976 Merriman Plumbing and Heating occupied the first floor · 1978 Dick's Furnace Service was located here · 1979-1980 B & O Furniture Stripping and Swap Shop · 1981-1983 Ruth's House of Treasure 2nd Hand Store · 1985-1997 Country Classics · 1998-2008 George Oblisk Sells Office Furniture
230 SE Court Avenue · Historical Name: Haw Building · Style: Early Industrial · D.O.C. 1915

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Pendleton, OR  |  Umatilla County  |  97801  |  Oregon  |  United States of America

Rohrman Bakery
LaDow Block
Woodmen of the World
Episcopal Church
Judd Block
R.F. Renn Building
DeSpain Block
The Peoples Warehouse
Club Cigar Saloon
George Fletcher

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.