Gilliam and Bisbee Building

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Gilliam and Bisbee Building
Gilliam and Bisbee Building is located in Oregon
Gilliam and Bisbee Building
Location106 E. May Street
Heppner, Oregon
Coordinates45°21′12″N 119°33′12″W / 45.353229°N 119.553243°W / 45.353229; -119.553243Coordinates: 45°21′12″N 119°33′12″W / 45.353229°N 119.553243°W / 45.353229; -119.553243
Area0.16 acres (0.065 ha)
Built1919
Built byT. G. Denissee
Architectural styleLate 19th and early 20th century American Commercial
NRHP reference No.90000840[1][2]
Added to NRHPJune 1, 1990

The Gilliam and Bisbee Building is an historic commercial structure in Heppner in the U.S. state of Oregon. Built in 1919 for the Gilliam and Bisbee Hardware Company to replace a building destroyed by fire in 1918, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.[2]

The two-story rectangular building measures 50 by 143 feet (15 by 44 m), and it has a full basement. The foundation and walls are made of concrete. The front facade is of tan-colored brick paired with darker brown brick above the storefront, its window pairs, and its decorative horizontal corbel courses. Strong vertical elements include pilasters that extend above the roof line and are topped with imitation chimney caps.[2]

Originally, the first floor contained retail space, a stock room, a business office, a plumbing shop, a freight elevator (which served both floors and the basement), stairways, and perhaps a leased office. An open display space for farm implements occupied the second floor, also the likely site of a restroom.[2]

Members of the Gilliam and Bisbee families, arriving in the 1860s, were among the earliest settlers in the region. Two members of the second generation, Timothy Bisbee and Frank Gilliam, both involved in stock raising, became brothers-in-law in 1882 and by 1889 were in business together as the Gilliam and Bisbee Hardware Company. Subsequent generations of both families worked in the store through the late 1950s.[2]

In 2019, the Howard and Beth Bryant Foundation restored and renovated the Gilliam & Bisbee Building into an event center, apartment-like suites, and a conference room. This project, now owned and operated by the Heppner Community Foundation, is a gathering place for the community and private events. The 7,000 square foot second floor contains 4 brand new suites each with personal 1.5 baths and a coffee bar. There is an adjacent large common area with a kitchen, lounging area, and giant gathering table, making it the perfect place for families to spend time together, or for small parties. The 4,000 square foot first floor includes a large event center with an occupancy of 350 guests. Additionally, there is an adjacent lobby area and industrial kitchen. The event stage includes a state-of-the-art sound system for live music or a DJ, and a projector and screen for event presentations.

Restored Exterior, Gilliam & Bisbee Building, 2019
Main Event Hall at the Gilliam
GB Suites, 2019
& Bisbee Building

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Oregon National Register List" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. June 6, 2011. p. 29. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sargent, Gail A. (December 13, 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Gilliam and Bisbee Building" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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