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In a last-ditch attempt to save the Ancient Order of United Workmen Temple building, planner and historian Matt Davis of Architectural Resources Group and historian Eric Wheeler appealed to the state. They submitted a report to the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and sought to learn whether the building is eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

鈥淲e can’t nominate it without owner consent, but we can check with SHPO and get their opinion,鈥� Davis said.

The reply came Feb. 23, in a letter from SHPO architectural historian Diana Painter. She wrote that she believes the 124-year-old building is eligible for the national listing, 鈥渇or its association with the AOUW, a rapidly growing fraternal order popular throughout the United States and the Northwest at the time. It may also be eligible 鈥� as the oldest extant fraternal building in Portland that was built specifically for this purpose.鈥�

Painter stated that the building is also 鈥渁n excellent and unusual example of the Romanesque Revival style in Portland. It may also be eligible as the work of a master.鈥�

She was referring to architect Justus Krumbein, who designed the Marquam Grand Opera House and Oregon’s state capitol.

鈥淲hile some credit is likely due Lionel Deane, who worked on the project while employed by Krumbein, it is also reminiscent of other buildings by Krumbein, such as the Marquam Opera House, in its exuberance and detailing 鈥�,鈥� Painter wrote. 鈥淎lterations to the building do not detract from its overall form and detailing, and the materials, workmanship and feeling displayed by this building.鈥�

Davis said he and Wheeler will discuss their report and SHPO’s response at the next Historic Landmarks Commission meeting on March 7. The report describes the building’s history, alterations and current appearance, Davis said.

鈥淲e are not under the illusion that suddenly the building will be magically saved,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s about giving the building its due. There’s been a lot of attention, but it deserves more.鈥�

The United Workmen Temple was designated as a local landmark in 1973, Davis said, but was taken off the list a few months later because the Historic Landmarks Commission objected to a partial paint job.

鈥淭hat would never happen today,鈥� he said.

Davis said he and Wheeler have two goals: to persuade Third & Taylor Development to reconsider its deconstruction plan and to underscore that many downtown buildings eligible for listing on the national register face the same danger.

鈥淭his won’t be the only time it will come up that a building as large and significant as the Workmen Temple can be completely demolished,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淚t leaves you wondering what other buildings in downtown Portland are at risk.鈥�

According to Peggy Moretti, executive director of Restore Oregon, only 2 percent of Portland’s eligible historic buildings are listed on the national register.

If T & T Development chooses not to keep the United Workmen Temple, Wheeler said he hopes that at least some history will be preserved.

鈥淥ur hope is that the design review process for the proposed new structures on the site would preserve/incorporate the historic fabric into the design for the new construction,鈥� he said.