P. J. Ryan's First Brick Store Building, 175 East California Street, Jacksonville, Jackson County, OR

Significance: The structure built by P.J. Ryan on the north side of California Street has had a long and checkered history. One of the most frequently altered buildings in Jacksonville, it has often been remodelled for new uses. Ryan purchased the land formerly part of the U.S. Hotel lot from C.C. Beekman in 1860. Beekman specified in the deed that if Ryan were to build on the lot, the building had to be of brick or stone construction and had to extend to the line dividing Ryan's and Beekman's property; Beekman was thus ensured of a brick wall to which he could attach a building of his own. The following year, Beekman granted Ryan an additional foot of ground; Ryan had evidently missurveyed his lot and had begun to construct his building with the west wall resting on Beekman's lot. Between September 11 and October 29, 1861, the stone cellar walls were built by Frank Kraus. Kraus did not receive payment immediately, and the following month placed a mechanic's lien on the "new brick house on the north side of California street." The lien notes that Nathaniel Witt was the contractor for the building.
Survey number: HABS OR-118
Building/structure dates: after 1860 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1874 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1879 Subsequent Work