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PORTLAND ARMORY

Block 3 of Brewery Blocks Project
128 NW 11th Avenue

Originally built by Multnomah County in 1889 to house local units of the Oregon National Guard, the castle-like, single-room structure was designed by the firm of McCaw and Martin. The Armory Building concept was influenced by Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson, a leading advocate of the Romanesque Revival style popular in the 1880-1890s.

This style featured massive stone walls and semicircular arcades. The Armory Building, West Hall at the University of Portland (1891) and the Dekum Building (1892) featured McCaw and Martin’s passion for use of Northwest quarry materials.

The Armory is considered historically significant as a site where soldiers were mustered during the Spanish-American War and World War I. In later years, the Armory became home for hockey, roller derby and televised wrestling matches.

It was purchased by Blitz in 1968 for use as a warehouse.

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