Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Although Oregon’s history is relatively recent, plenty of beloved old buildings stand around the state. Many are in great shape today, but others are in danger of disappearing completely.

Local nonprofit Restore Oregon makes a point to look out for those historic buildings, and once again has released its annual list of Oregon's "most endangered places" for the coming year.



This list for 2020 is smaller than lists in years past, with only eight places in all. There are five holdovers from last year, with three new additions – including two in North Portland. They represent a broad swath of Oregon culture, including spots in our busiest cities and smallest towns.

Here are the most endangered places in Oregon for 2020.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Billy Webb Elks Lodge

For nearly 100 years, the Billy Webb Elks Lodge has served North Portland’s African American community as a YWCA, USO center, Elks Lodge and community center. Today the lodge uses the building as a gathering place for people of color that promotes safety, dignity, respect and pride. As the neighborhood has gentrified and membership has dwindled, the old property is now under threat of redevelopment, Restore Oregon said.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Cumberland Church

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was built in 1892 in east Albany, and today retains its original stained-glass windows, doors and ornate trim. But after 127 years and some recent deferred maintenance, the church is under threat of demolition. Restore Oregon is working with a local group called the Cumberland Community Events Center to come up with a redevelopment plan.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Janzten Beach Carousel

The beloved Jantzen Beach Carousel was built in 1921, and graced Jantzen Beach from 1928 to 2012. For years its whereabouts were unknown, languishing on the “most endangered places” list in mystery. However, the carousel now belongs to Restore Oregon, which continues to seek out a new home for the attraction.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Mayo House

The Queen Anne cottage in North Portland’s Eliot neighborhood was constructed in 1895 but has been moved twice before landing at its current location. According to Restore Oregon, the Mayo House now sits at the site of a former boarding house that was demolished in the 1980s, during a decades-long campaign that targeted black-owned homes under the guise of urban renewal. Current owners are trying to resurrect the house as a hub for African American arts, history and culture.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Robert and Charles Wilson homes

Designed by famed Italian architect Pietro Belluschi, the Robert and Charles Wilson homes in Warm Springs are a great example of midcentury modern architecture. Both, however, are in rough shape, suffering from serious deterioration and neglect. Restore Oregon has been working with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to stabilize the buildings and find a new use for the homes that promotes tribal culture and local tourism.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Rural historic theaters

Go to any small town in Oregon and you’ll probably find an old historic theater. The theaters were gathering places for the local communities, and often anchored nightlife downtown. This year, Restore Oregon is waging a statewide campaign focused on rehabilitating the old theater buildings, bringing attention to their economic and social benefits.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Santiam Pass Ski Lodge

Built in 1940, the Santiam Pass Ski Lodge remained in operation until 1986 but has since been damaged by deterioration and vandals. According to Restore Oregon, the building has new operators who have been working to repair and eventually re-open the lodge to the public.

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Courtesy of Restore Oregon

Waldron Brothers Drugstore

The Waldron Brothers Drugstore (also known as the Gitchell Building) is the oldest intact building in The Dalles, serving many purposes since its construction in 1864. In addition to a drugstore, the building has been a post office, ticket office, apartment building, local newspaper office, Masonic lodge and even a haunted house. Some repairs were done in 2009, but it now faces demolition.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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