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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1876)
March. THE WEST SHORE. OUR ILLUSTRATIONS. A View on Front Street, looking south from Alder. This includes one of the neatest business blocks in this city built after the December (1872) lire, at an expenseof about (125,000 and owned by Messers Carter, Wiberg, Gray, Holman and Vaughn. The second story of the first 75 feet on front street and running back 100 feet on Alder, with an entrance on the latter street, is occupied by THE PROGRESS CLUB. The daily press has often noticed this institution in lauda tory terms. A brief history of it here will hardly be out of place: In January, 1872, a preliminary meeting was held, having in view the organization of a Social Club. A few names were enrolled and a temporary organization was maintained until May, 1873, when a permanent organization was effected with twelve (12) charter members, and the society incorporated under the name and style of the "Progress Club of Portland Oregon." They then occupied temporary rooms on Washington Street. IIESION FOR ATWRAL DECORATION OK A LIBRARY WINDOW. The membership increasing, the Club found it nessecaiy to procure larger rooms and a contract was effected with Mr. C. SI. Carter to build the rooms at present occupied by them, which they furnished at an expense of nearly ten thousand dollars, and first moved into them in July, 1873. The rooms include parlor, dancing hall, billiard room, refreshment saloon, conversation, reading, and ladies and gentlemen's dressing rooms, all of them furnished in the most tasteful and elegant manner, combining the useful and oma mental. At the first regular meeting held in the new rooms the applications for membership were so numerous, and the evidences of the future prosperity of the Club sufficiently encouraging 10 warrant the Directors in leasing the upper floor of the adjoining building, and the two floors were subsequently thrown into one. The membership at present is about looindud- ing some of the most prominent merchants, bankers and professional men of this city. The membership fee is $25.00 and the monthly dues $2.50. Strangers in thiscity will on application to any of the members, be shown through the rooms. And on consulting the Club register we find the autographs of over 3,000 strangers from all parts of the world who lave visited the rooms since the 1st of Au gust, 1873. The present offi cers are Dr. J. A. Chapman (mayor of this city), Presi dent; Ralph Jacobs (President of the Oregon City Woolen Mills), Vice President ; Isaac Wum, Secretaiy ; Chas. Hirstcl (Chas. H. 4 Co.) Treasurer ; L. Fleischner, (Fleischner, Mayer 4 Co).; J. W. Whallcy Whallev 4 Fechheimer), Col. R- N. Batchclder (U. S. A). D- L. Walter, (Walter Bros)., md;J. Dill Du Bois, Directors, l ie following well known gen 'Itraen have served as presi dents since the organization: L. Fleischner, Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, U. S. A. M. T. Cun ningham, and Dr. J. A. Chapman. Balls soirees, receptions and other entertainments have been, from time to time, given, which have in each instance redounded to the credit of the Club. The three principal ones were, the opening reception on the night of the 1st of September, 1873, the farewell reception given to Gen. Jeff C, Davis, on the evening of his departure from this city, and the reception to Lieut. Gen. Phil. Sheridan on his recent visit here. The latter for its grandeur and lavish display of both dress and toilet of the ladies, exceeded anything of the kind ever given in Oregon. The Club has on several occasions generously given "The Ladies Relief Society" the use of their rooms for entertainments, thereby adding considerable to the Relief Fund. Since its organization, and under all the different administrations, Mr. Isaac Blum has served as Secretaiy ; and to his energy and excellent business and social qualities the club owes in a great measure its success. . The corner of Alder, known as No. 101 Front street, is occupied by C. H. Wood- ard 4 Co., as one of the most elegant drug stores in this city. Mr. Woodard, the senior of the firm, started in this city in 1861, as a drug clerkj and by strict economy and attention to business, was enabled to open ft store of his own in 1868. At the December fire, 1871, the establishment was destroyed. The smoke had hardly ceased to issue from the smould ering ruins, when the sign of C.'H. Wood ard 4 Co. was once more displayed two doors west of the former store. After re building, the firm returned to their former quarters, and at present are doing a large business, extending over all parts of Ore gon, Washington and Idaho. Besides drugs, the firm makes a specialty of dental goods and photographic material. They are also the manufacturers of the well known perfume, "Wild Flowers of Mount Hood." The prescription department i; under the supervision of Mr. J. Heubner, a courteous gentleman and competent pharmaceutist. No. 103 is occupied by B. I.. Stone, as a jewelry store. This is one of the most elegant establishments on the coast, the fixtures alone costing over $3,000. Mr. Stone started here in 1868, on a small scale, and by adhering to the cash system "has built up a fine business. He has been in this line for 27 years, and is there fore capable of suiting the tastes of all, As a watchmaker, he stands at the head of his trade; as a mere boy, he was appren ticed in a German factory, and afterwards worked in England for six years, three of it in one of the laigest factories in London. He has lately erected across the street from his salesrooms an observatory of the most approved pattern, containing a transit, barometer and thermometer, where an ob server is employed to obtain correct lime. Mr. Stone deals extensively in optical goods, and is the agent for the celebrated Diamond Scctacles. In the jewelry line, he keeps only solid goods, no plate, jew elry store of any kind being admitted to this establishment. The California Jewelry Manufacturing Company employing over 100 men, make this their Oregon head- quartera, and in fact even- steamer brings additional novelties to B. L. Stone's already extensive stock. At No. 105 will be found one of our pioneers, Mr. C. M. Wiberg, with an excel lent stock of boots and shoes. Mr. Wi berg has been in the business here since 1852, and owns the store he occupies. He buys and sells for cash, and is therefore enabled to offer special inducements. He informs us there is no necessity of "trying on the box" in his establishment, as he can furnish a No. 18 men's just as readily as a No. 1 infant's size. Passing on further south, we come to another pioneer establishment. Wm. Beck started in this city as a gunsmith in 1852. Being an excellent workman, orders began to flow in rapidly, and by fair dealing and strict attention to business, Mr. Beck has yearly increased his trade, until to-day he fills orders not only for Oregon, but the remotest parts of Washington and Idaho Territories. In 1870, Mr. Beck admitted as partner his son, Wm. G., (a chip of the old block,) the firm at present beingknown as Wm. Beck 4 Son. They manufac ture the finest rifles on the coast, and some of their man ufacture will be sent to the Centennial. Thev also deal extensively in fishing tackle, sporting implements of all kinds, fancy goods, beads, baskets, etc., and are the agents for the well known Grover 4 Baker sewing machine. A. F. Smith 4 Co. occupy No. 109 as salesroom for the Arion Piano and Estey Organ. The Arion is a well known in strument, possessing a firm, full, vibrating tone, combining sweetness and elasticity susceptible to the gentlest touch, whilst the lasting qualities are readily observable at a glance. This instrument is making certain and fapid strides to hold the palm amongst the high ranking pianos' of the present day. Of the many organs in the market, we have no hesitancy in pronouncing the Kstey "par excellence." For durability, they are unsuriasscd. The F.stcy in St. John's Catholic Church, in Salem, having been in use for the past twelve years, and at present is pronounced by competent judges, one of the sweetest, most werful and brilliant toned instruments on the coast. At No. 109 will also be found Mr. John A. Heck, the well known watchmaker and jeweler. As an evidence of his superior skill in his particular line of business, we need only mention the fact that he is cm ployed extensively to do work "for the trade." Mr. Beck has a superior spectacle constructed on an entire new principle, and his fitting apparatus is of a nature that he is sure to suit any eye at the very first trial. He also makes a specialty of clocks of all styles and at all prices. Meussdorffer's hat store, at No. 1 1 1, was first started by Mr. Butler, under the auspices of Meussdorffer, in 1864. Mr. Butler's health failing, he left in 1866, and C. H. Meussdorffer, who up to that time had been in charge of the Marysville es tablishment, came here, and has managed the Portland house with success. The firm makes a specialty of line goods, and their stock at present is the largest and best as sorted ever brought to Oregon. Ti e second story is set aside entirely for the wholesale trade. At the factor', in San Francisco, they emptor twenty men on silk hats alone. Beside the Portland house, they hare four different stores in San Francisco, one in Marysville, one in Sacra mento, and supply all the hats sold in seventeen other retail stores. The corner store is occupied by D. W. Williams 4 Co., successors to Williams 4 Myers. The firm has been established here since 1861, and make a specialty of commision business. They also deal ex tensively in flour, bran, chop feed, bacon, lard, and have ample fire-proof storage. -rs ':'' wa. ;.ki" if "mm x. Iff! U r zt i -r w rrw, n ... . -j r - - 1 n - 11 fry m. .jrj- - ? 1 PC IKI(IN FOR A FLORAL DECORATION OF A HAY WINDOW. Crossing Morrison street, we arrive at the St. Charles Hotel, a line four story brick structure, owned by J. W. Brazee, of the Cascades, and valued, with furniture, at $140,000, It has a frontage of 75 feet on Front street by 100 feet on Morrison street. The present lessee, Mr. George Cogg.in, is making a number of improve ments in the building, which, when com pleted, will make the St. Charles the finest, most commodious, and safest hotel to stop at north of San Francisco. The dining hall will hereafter be on the first floor. The office, billiard and reading-room, will also be on same floor. On the second floor is Ilia ladies' arlor, 24 x 38, as well as fifteen elegantly furnished suits of rooms. The entire number of rooms in the hotel is 113. The waiters arc civil and attentive, and next to home, the St. Charles Hotel is Ihi place to stop at. Adjoining the St. Charles Hotel, is the well known commission house of Colin 4 Roscnfeld, sscssing an enviable reputa tion for promptness and fair dealing. They do an extensive business, and receive consignments from all rts of the State. Pilot Knor. A prominent rock on the overland route, between Oregon and Cali fornia. It is located in the Sis kiyou Mountains, and was so named by the early pioneers on account of the great distance it can be seen from, thus pilot ing the early wayfarer over the then rough trails of the moun tains. St. Helen's Ham.. A Iwarding and day school for young ladies, located on Fourth street, between Madison and Jefferson; is conducted by the Misses Rodney, under the supervision of the Right Rev. B. Wistar Morris. -I; '. A ST. HELEN'S HALL, PORTLAND. Why drws a rooMcr always keep his feathers to smooth and hlcek? Because he car ries his comb with him.