Detail of one of the intricate cast-iron columns, made by Architectural Iron Works of San Francisco, that adorns the gothic Bickel Block Building. Photo by Sherri Diteman.
History of the White Stag Block
In the fall of 2008, the University of Oregon completed its move into the White Stag Block, a refurbished facility that merges parts of three historic buildings—the Bickel Block Building, the Skidmore Block Building, and the White Stag and Hirsch-Weiss Building.
The gothic Bickel Block Building was designed in 1883 by Justus Krumbein. It has complex geometric patterns in its detailing and is an example of cast-iron architecture built in downtown Portland in the 1880s. The intricate cast-iron columns were made by Architectural Iron Works of San Francisco—the western branch of the famous foundry begun by Daniel Badger in New York in 1842.
The Bickel Block was owned by German candy-maker Frederick Bickel. He was a business partner of Frank Dekum, and the two opened their first confectionary shop in Portland thirty years before this building's construction. With the success of their candy business, both men began to invest in real estate development in downtown Portland.
The Bickel Block Building originally housed the Parke & Lacey Machinery Co., which used the north half for retail and the south half for manufacturing and warehousing. Parke & Lacey made and sold engines, boilers, sawmill machinery, logging cars, and so forth. The Fraser Paper Co. bought the building in the 1950s.
The Skidmore Block Building, at Northwest First Avenue and West Burnside Street, is an example of a cast-iron front building in the Italianate style. The building was completed in 1889 for Charles E. Sitton—Stephen Skidmore's business partner and brother-in-law. When Skidmore died in 1882, he left the bulk of his estate to Sitton, including the parcel on which the Skidmore Block was built. In 1926, when the current Burnside Bridge was constructed, part of the south façade of the building was removed and the bridge ramp came to abut the building at the second story.
Of the three buildings, the White Stag Building at Northwest Naito Parkway and West Burnside Street is the largest and most industrial in character with its simplified brick and concrete façade. It was designed and built in 1907 as a manufacturing and warehouse building for the Willamette Tent and Awning Company. Max A. Hirsch—nephew of Aaron Meier of Meier & Frank—was the president at the time. When the building was constructed, the entrance faced West Burnside. During the building of the new bridge, the entire south façade was shaved off. The original wood windows were replaced with large steel-sash windows, a fifth floor was added, and the main entrance was moved to the east.
In the fall of 2008, the University of Oregon completed its move into the White Stag Block, a refurbished facility that merges parts of three historic buildings—the Bickel Block Building, the Skidmore Block Building, and the White Stag and Hirsch-Weiss Building.
Time Line
- 1883
Bickel Block Building is designed by Justus Krumbein - 1884
Willamette Tent and Awning Company is established by Henry Wemme - 1889
Skidmore Block Building completed for Charles E. Sitton - 1907
White Stag and Hirsch-Weiss Building is built on banks of Willamette River - 1907
Max and Leopold Hirsch purchase Willamette Tent and Awning Company - 1910
White Stag and Hirsch-Weiss Building is moved across the street to its current location at Northwest Naito Parkway and West Burnside Street - 1917
Hide Naito immigrates to Los Angeles - 1920
Naito starts family business in Portland, which becomes Norcrest China Company - 1925-26
Burnside Bridge is built and a portion of the building is removed to make way for an on-ramp. A fifth story is added to the building - 1931
Harold Hirsch founds a sportswear division under the name "White Stag" - 1940
A sign is built by Ramsey Signs for White Satin Sugar Company, which rents space on the roof - 1950s
Fraser Paper Company buys the Bickel Block Building - 1956
White Stag goes public and Hirsch-Weiss becomes a division of White Stag - 1959
Sign is changed from "White Satin" to "White Stag" - 1966
White Stag Building bought by Warnaco, Incorporated, an apparel and textile holding company - 1970s
White Stag moves to larger quarters at Southeast 52nd and Harney Drive - 1972
Naito family purchases the White Stag Building - 1997
Lettering on the sign is changed from White Stag Sportswear to Made in Oregon Old Town - 2004
Norcrest China Company wholesale division closed - 2006
Building is purchased by White Stag Block, LLC, managed by Venerable Group, Incorporated - 2006
University of Oregon agrees to lease space in the building - 2008
The University of Oregon marks the grand opening of the facility, featuring degree programs, hands-on opportunities in fields such as business, architecture, journalism, and product design, study-abroad opportunities, and community education offerings.