Historic Pendleton Building Tours Begin Fall 2023
No need to register! Free, self-guided tours and workshops led by
historic preservationists are open to the public.
Connection to Pendleton's beginnings
Many downtown buildings date from the tremendous economic and population growth of the late 1800s, when the arrival of railroads brought wheat farmers new markets that made some wealthy. They invested in the solid, brick buildings in the town’s commercial center—so solid that they continue to stand in large numbers.
Architectural preservation
The economic history of Pendleton that followed the pioneers is demonstrated in these building. They survive and are renewed with restoration led by Pendleton Urban Renewal over the last two decades.
Tours will include:
- Prominent downtown buildings, including upper stories:
- Bond Building (Sisters Café)
- Bowman Hotel Building
- LaDow Block
- Masonic Hall (Great Pacific)
- Oak Hotel
- Odd Fellows Temple
- Rainbow Café
- Rivoli Theater
- History of the buildings, as well as details of past and current renovations.
- Volunteers onsite to answer questions.
- Prominent downtown buildings, including upper stories:
Take a free tour anytime between
1 PM & 6 PM:
September 29 and 30, 2023
March 1 and 2, 2024
-
Sign up to volunteer or schedule a field trip below.
Tours start at
Heritage Station Museum:
The museum is at 108 SW Frazer Ave, where you'll pick up your map and "Passport" to be stamped after touring each building.
Questions? Contact Stephanie Huffman, Pendleton Urban Renewal History Preserved Manager, at Stephanie.Huffman@ci.pendleton.or.us or 971-978-7603.
Historic and modern photos of some of the buildings on the tour:
ladow block
Rivoli Theater
Rainbow Cafe
Bond Building (sisters Café)
masonic lodge (great pacific)
odd fellows temple
bowman hotel building
heritage station museum
Volunteer for a short shift in a historic building, and share Pendleton’s history with visitors!
Contact Stephanie Huffman, Pendleton Urban Renewal History Preserved Manager, at Stephanie.Huffman@ci.pendleton.or.us or 971-978-7603.
Schedule a school field trip:
Student tours can be booked for grades 7-12. Contact Stephanie Huffman, Pendleton Urban Renewal History Preserved Manager, at Stephanie.Huffman@ci.pendleton.or.us or 971-978-7603.
History Preserved: Pendleton is funded in large part by the Oregon Heritage Commission and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Since 2003, Pendleton Urban Renewal has been funding upgrades to downtown’s historic buildings, bringing back their original designs — inside and out. Today, the area embodies our city’s fascinating early history as well as ingenious ways these buildings are now being renewed and used.