Historic Walking Tour - The Kline Department Store

Significance

The Kline Department Store building stands remarkably intact and is a prime example of flat-roofed Commercial architecture. This style is characterized by large display windows obliquely set to lead into a recessed entrance, a projecting cornice, and divided windows. The Kline store was very modern for its time (1907) and was heralded as the largest and most up-to-date store in Oregon. It was one of the first "department stores" as we know them today. When the 1907 building was erected, it was the second finest business structure in Corvallis. Situated on 2nd and Main Streets, it was located in the core of downtown Corvallis. Kline's business was started in 1864 and for a long time, was the oldest and most substantial business store in Oregon. Three generations of Klines ran the business; all were well-respected, prominent figures in the community, heartily involved in local affairs and leading forces in state politics.

Physical Description 

The Kline Department Store was built in 1907 in the Commercial style of architecture. It is a remodel of an 1890 Kline Store. The Kline Department Store building (75' X 100') has a cement basement and foundation. Large timbers were used for portions of the framing system. Today, brick fire-walls replace interior wood support posts. The front of the building is composed of peach-colored pressed brick, procured from Portland. Nine commercial style windows (with upper transoms) are recessed within the upper story facade. Today, these windows have multiple panes. 

Decorative treatment is found on the upper story. There is an egg and dart molding and dentil strip beneath the modillioned cornice. Two brick pilasters, flanking the upper story windows, are connected by a strip of interlaced arches, also fabricated from brick. Below the windows, and today covered over, is a strip of multiple glass panes. Below this, under the metal awning, the original store-front display window and entry fenestration is intact. However, plate glass panes today are secured with aluminum sashes. Double hung sash windows and doorways with segmental brick arch heads are found on the east (rear) elevation of the building. Most of these windows retain their original iron shutters. 

The interior of the building contains 19,000 square feet of floor space. The lower floor is divided into four businesses. One business is contained within the north 25 feet of building space (the extension of the 1890 building). The south 50 feet contains three businesses within the original Kline Store space, divided by free-standing walls. The iron posts found in this space and the brick wall dividing the north 25 feet and south 50 feet date from the 1890 building. Originally one large room, the second floor today is outfitted for use by the IOOF lodge. Two bowling lanes from the Corvallis Bowling Gardens (1941-1955) remain upstairs. 

Partially obscured (by the Corvallis Hotel) on the north exterior wall of the building is a painted sign advertising Miller's Department Store. Kline's sold out to Millers in 1922. 

Historical Background 

The Kline Department Store began in this same location as a one-story brick building for Simon L. Kline's General Merchandise Store. Rose's Cigar Factory, a wood frame building, was directly to the north. In 1908, the new Kline Department Store was completed by expanding the old store building into a larger two-story brick structure in the Commercial style of architecture. 

S.L. Kline wanted to build a two-story brick structure, in 1890, that extended to the Occidental Hotel (displacing the Cigar Factory), but was prevented in doing so by the scarcity of building materials. The resultant store building (45' X 100') had Queen Anne and Italianate detailing above the glass cabinet display windows on the ground floor. The iron front of the building was supplied by the Albany Iron Works, at one time the largest foundry in Oregon outside of Portland. The grand opening was September 30, 1890. The store was often referred to as "The White House" and "The People's Store". 

In 1907, Simon Kline made plans to expand and modernize this structure. The new brick building was two stories high and an extra 25 feet was added to the north wall. A number of men and six teams of horses excavated the basement for the building. Apparently, all that remained of the old Kline building as the new one went up were the south and north walls and iron support posts (visible today) which ran down the center of the old building. Other portions of the old building were sold to Marshall Miller and removed by the Leder Brothers. The iron front was sold as a separate piece. 

Once settled into the new building, the general merchandise store became known as "Kline's Department Store and Pure Food Department". The Pure Food Department (fresh groceries) was in the new section of the building on the north end. The department store sold clothing, dry goods, boots, shoes, hardware, crockery, hats, trunks, valises, wool, cascara bark, mohair, furnishings, etc. There was also a dressmaking parlour. 

Simon L. Kline became involved in the merchandising business in 1886, when his father, Louis G. Kline, retired. The business had been started by Louis Kline in 1864 in Corvallis. The store building Simon Kline built in 1890 was completely remodeled in 1907 (completed, January, 1908) to its present appearance. Simon Kline died in 1909, and his business passed on to his son, Walter H. Kline. 

Simon L. Kline was prominent in business, political and social affairs of Corvallis and the state of Oregon. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 18, 1856. He located in Corvallis in 1864 with the Kline family, via the Isthmus of Panama. On reaching Portland, they proceeded by boat to Oregon City and to Corvallis, by wagon. Louis Kline was a tailor and opened a small tailoring shop and mercantile business in Corvallis. Simon Kline learned the tailoring trade from his father, and for 23 years, he was actively and prominently engaged in the mercantile business. Simon Kline married Emma Tobias in 1882. Later, he was a recognized leader in the politics of the state of Oregon. He was mentioned as a candidate for the office of Governor of Oregon, and he served as a delegate-at-large to the national convention which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for President. He was also one of forty people selected to act as aides at the inaugural ball held in honor of President William H. Taft. Locally, he served as a member of the city council and as a member of the board of water commissioners. He was a contributor to the growth and beautification of Corvallis. Simon Kline was also very prominent in Masonic circles and belonged to numerous organizations. At the time of his death, in 1909, he was president of the Oregon Retail Merchants Association. 

The business passed on to Walter Kline, after Simon's death. Walter Kline also became a prominent member of Corvallis business and societal affairs. Walter was born in Corvallis in 1886. He attended business college in San Francisco before working with his father in the mercantile business. Under his care, the business grew and the Klines purchased the E.W. Fisher building on the south for expansion. Walter utilized warehouses built by the family to the rear (east) of the Kline Store building. 

Walter Kline married Ada T. Sexton in 1919. Kline was very interested in Corvallis community affairs, having served as a member of the city council and acted as president of the Commercial Club for two terms. He was interested in promoting business interests in Corvallis, and he was a member of numerous fraternal organizations. At one time, he was president of the Corvallis Fire Department. He was also an avid hunter and considered at one time to be the greatest coon hunter in the state. 

The Miller Mercantile Company took over the business from Walter Kline in 1922. Walter was retained as general manager. The Miller Company was a chain of seven stores in the Willamette Valley. The store specialized in dry goods, clothing and shoes. Millers moved out of the building in 1926 to the new Crees building on 3rd Street. 

Various businesses have occupied the lower floor of the Kline building since Millers moved out. Western Auto and Firestone were long-term occupants. The 16-lane Bowling Gardens was on the upper floor until Barnum Lodge No. 7 became the second floor occupants in 1956. The Order bought the Fisher building on the south, also for lodge purposes, at the same time. Both buildings were purchased from T.J. Starker, wealthy Corvallis area timberman. The lodge kept two bowling lanes for their Lodge Hall and remodeled the upper floors of both buildings for a Lodge Hall with dining area, kitchen, rest rooms and recreation room with pool and card tables. Barnum Lodge No. 7, Independent Order of Oddfellows, is one of the oldest fraternal lodges in Corvallis. The lodge was instituted on January 29, 1858. 

Sources Consulted

• Carey, Charles, History of Oregon, Volume III, "Simon L. Kline" (p. 114-115) and "Walter H. Kline" (p. 645), The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., Portland, 1922.
• The Corvallis Gazette "Local and General", and "Brief Locals", May 16, May 30, July 4, August 15, and September 19, 1890.
• The Corvallis Gazette-Times, "S. L. Kline, Prominent Merchant, Succumbs to Pleurisy of Heart", September 10, 1909.
• The Corvallis Gazette-Times, "Miller Mercantile Company Now in Charge Klines", July 21, 1922.
• Corvallis Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1890-1949.
• The Corvallis Times, "Another Big Brick", April 16, 1907.
• The Corvallis Times, "Local Lore", June 25, July 5, July 23, August 9, August 20, September 6, and September 17, 1907.
• The Corvallis Times, Store Advertisements, August 16, September 13, 1907 and April 3, 1908.
• Kammerer, Ted, Letter, Independent Order of Oddfellows, May, 1984.