Historic Walking Tour - Julian Hotel

Significance

Stephen Dow Beckham in 1976 

The Hotel Julian, erected in 1911, stands near the banks of the Willamette River in Corvallis, Oregon. The building is a four story, brick building in a square shape. It has a flat roof and a projecting cornice decoration on the west (front) elevation. The windows are one-over-one, double hung sash and are surmounted by brick voussoirs with brick keystones. The first floor of the building, which is used for commercial purposes, has been altered both on its interior and exterior. The building is today used for apartments. The corners have very large quoins. 

The Hotel Julian at the time of its construction had 100 rooms and a banquet room that would seat 300. It opened to the public on January 16, 1911 and was erected by Senator Julian N. McFadden of Corvallis. The building, of double brick wall construction, cost $60,000. The dining room at the time of the hotel's opening had 13 waitresses and 1 Chinese servant. The hotel was used for weddings, receptions, parties, dances, Oregon State University social events, and civic gatherings. In 1928 a fountain in the lobby was removed. McFadden sold the hotel on April 1, 1946, to Herbert W. Van Valin. Van Valin sold the hotel to Charles A. and Mabel M. Driskell in 1957. 

Addendum in 1984 

The 1983 National Register form clears up the fact that this building is a 1911 remodel of the 1892 brick Queen Anne Hotel Corvallis. 

Sources Consulted

• National Register Form, Robert A. Nisbet, September 8, 1983, "Julian Hotel"