Historic Walking Tour - E. W. Fisher Block

Significance

"Stephen Dow Beckham in 1976 

This remaining portion of the E.W. Fisher Block is the second oldest Commercial building in downtown Corvallis and the oldest two-story building in downtown Corvallis. Although substantially altered, the building may still provide data on early construction technology and materials. The window openings on the 2nd story of the main facade are unaltered and are the only remaining feature on a Corvallis commercial building exemplifying 19th century Classical Revival Architecture. The E.W. Fisher Building is one of only three buildings in downtown Corvallis pre-dating 1880. 

The building just to the north of this building was added by E.W. Fisher in the 1870's. Architectural detail originally matched the current building. Today this building has lost most of its original elements. 

Physical Description 

This building is the north portion of the E.W. Fisher block. The south portion of the Fisher Block was razed for a parking lot. The building has been substantially altered through the years. 

The E. W. Fisher building is a two-story, rectangular, brick building approximately 25' x 75' with interior framing of wood. The first floor of the main facade originally featured a series of arculated bays. Today, the arculated bays are gone and the main facade of the first floor consists of large, aluminum frame, fixed-sash windows and a centrally located metal frame and glass entry door. Below the windows, are several courses of recently laid red faced brick. Originally, an interior stairway was located on the south side of the east elevation (main facade). This stairway no longer exists today. The second story of the main facade retains original windows openings although original casement windows were replaced by one over one double hung sash windows long ago. Window openings are rectangular with flat, classically detailed heads of corbelled brick. The brick detail used for these window heads is almost identical to the brick detail used for windows of the Philomath College Building built in 1867. The furthest south window has been bricked in. In the 1880's iron fire shutters were located on these windows. 

Major structural alterations to the building include a new brick wall on the south elevation apparently installed when destruction of the south portion of the building removed the original partition. A recent poured concrete foundation is also located on the south elevation. Original foundation material was not observed although it is probably still in use in other areas of the building. The frieze, once classically detailed, is now rather plain. 

A plaster veneer covers the brick of the rear (west) elevation. The interior fabric of the building is not visible because of false ceilings and wall coverings. Between 1912 and 1927, a concrete one-story structure was added to the rear of the building for a kitchen and storage area. This structure has been removed. The brick of the main facade is painted today. 

Historical Background 

On June 27, 1868, the Corvallis Gazette noted that, "The old frame buildings now occupied by Messrs. Kline and Duncun, owned by E.W. Fisher, will give place in a short time for two fire-proof bricks. On August 1, 1868 the Corvallis Gazette noted that, "The material for Mr. Fishers new brick store is being rapidly placed on the ground. By August 15, 1868, work had commenced on the new brick with Bowker Bros. of Salem as contractors. W. H. McFarland was contracted to put a tin roof on the building. The Building was completed before the New Year and the New Year's Ball of 1869 was held in the new building. 

The first occupants of the building were the L. G. Kline Store, in the south portion of the building (now destroyed), and the Allen and Woodward (formerly Souther and Allen) Drugstore in the north portion of the building. This drug store, the first occupant of the portion of the building still standing today, was established in 1855 by John W. Souther. In 1864, Mr. Souther sold half interest in the business to E. Allen. In 1869, E. Woodward entered the firm when Mr. Souther retired. In 1902, the business was taken over by Mr. John F. Allen who operated his business known as Allen's drug store in the L. G. Kline Building (1889) at the N.W. corner of 2nd and Madison for many years. The drug store moved from the Fisher Building sometime between 1890 and 1895. By 1895, the building was occupied by a grocery. 

This building has seen many occupants. As early as 1869, the Oddfellows of Corvallis leased the 2nd floor of the Fisher Block for their hall. In 1912, the building served as headquarters for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph. In the 1920's W. A. Tarplay ran the Peacock Restaurant in this location as did owners Ronald Martin and Helen Stinson later. In 1955 a restaurant known as the Tip-Top was located here. Additional research would certainly supply a list of many more businesses which operated from this location. Today the building serves as office space for Barker Insurance. 

E.W. Fisher, also known as "Brick" Fisher, was responsible for the construction of another brick building on the east side of 2nd street. That building was completed in 1890. 

Sources Consulted

• Fagan, David D., History of Benton County Oregon, David D. Fagan and A. G. Walling, Portland, Oregon, 1885.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, June 27, 1868.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, July 25, 1868.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, August 1, 1868.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, August 15, 1868.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, October 10, 1868.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, Jan. 2, 1869.
• Gazette, Corvallis, Oregon, July 17, 1869.
• Gazette-Times, Progress Edition, Oct. 16, 1911.
• Gazette-Times, July 24, 1937.
• Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1903.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.