237 SW Naito Parkway
The Hallock-McMillan Building is one of the city’s most important historic structures. Built in 1857, it is the oldest surviving commercial building in Portland.
A Building from Portland’s Early Years
In the 1850s, Portland was still a small town with dirt streets, wooden sidewalks, and businesses that served farmers, loggers, and ship crews. The Hallock-McMillan Building was one of the first to use brick and cast iron, making it stronger and more fire-resistant than the wooden buildings around it. Its location on Front Avenue (now Naito Parkway) put it right in the heart of Portland’s first business district. The building was designed by Absalom Hallock, one of Portland’s first professional architects.
Why It’s Important
The Hallock-McMillan Building represents a turning point in Portland’s architectural history. It was the first cast-iron‒fronted building in the city, starting a trend that spread through the downtown area for the next several decades. Soon, many nearby blocks were filled with other cast-iron buildings. Portland is second only to New York City in the number of remaining historic cast iron buildings. .
Restoration and Legacy
Over the years, the building went through many changes and even suffered from neglect. In the 1940’s it was badly remodeled to be more”modern”. Most of the cast iron details were removed and the exterior covered in plaster. Thanks to the commitment by a local historical preservationist, John Russell, the building exterior has now been carefully restored to look much like it did in the 1850’s.
Today, the Hallock-McMillan Building stands as a link between Portland’s past and present. It shows how architecture can tell a city’s story̶ and why preserving old buildings keeps that story alive. The building has seen many different uses over time – candy factory, offices and longshoremen hiring hall. What will it be next?
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Discussion Questions:
How does the renovated facade reflect the historic character of the neighborhood?
Is John Russel a “Good Citizen”?
Vocabulary: facade, architect, plaster, longshoreman
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.3. Explain how a community relies on active civic participation and identify opportunities for student participation in local and regional issues. Civics and Government, Multicultural Studies
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Multicultural Studies, Historical Knowledge
Visual Arts .7.RE1.3 Distinguish between different types of art and determine messages communicated. Responding-Perceive and analyze artistic work.