30-34 N.W. First Ave
The Blagen Block is a historic building in Portland’s Skidmore Old Town HIstoric District. It was built in 1888 and is named after George Blagen, a businessman who owned lumber mills in Oregon.
The Blagen Block was designed in the Italianate style, which was popular in the late 1800s. This style often includes tall, narrow windows and decorative details made of cast iron. The building is made of brick and has a cast iron facade. The front of the building has an impressive 100 feet of cast-iron columns and arches. There are fancy decorations like acanthus leaves, stars & stripes, arrows, laurel leaves and even lions heads. Be sure to look for the Lady Liberty heads. Windows on each of the 3 floors are of a slightly different style.
Over the years, the Blagen Block has been used for many different purposes, including offices and shops. In 2026, the building was purchased by Feed the Mass, a non-profit that provides meals and services to the unhoused. They will operate a grocery store, event space, and incubator on the first two floors. The building is now referred to as Nourish.
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Discussion Questions:
What do you notice when you look at the Blagen Block? Shapes, Colors, Windows, Decorations?
Imagine what kind of store or business might be inside this Blagen Block.
Why is it important to keep old buildings instead of tearing them down?
Vocabulary: Facade, cast-iron, column, arch, Italianate, Historic Landmark and renovation
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events, and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.12. Compare and contrast the history of the local community to other communities in the region. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources (artifacts, pictures, documents) to identify factual evidence. Historical Thinking