History

Waterman & Schmitz

This representative enterprise dates its formation back to 1889. The premises occupied are on the corner of Front and Center streets, and are of ample dimensions for the storage of the large stock carried. Carrying a large stock of imported wines and liquors and cigars, their trade has steadily grown from a small beginning until today It is the largest in this section of the state. They cater extensively to the family trade, having such high grade goods in stock as Bond & Lilliard’s, McBrayer’s, Spring Hill, Old Hermitage, Old Crow, Jesse Moore, Crescent Rye and Bourbon, controlling the sole … Read more

Terry & Fleetwood

Of whose place of business we present a cut, are numbered among the most flourishing business houses of our city. They carry a complete line of staple and fanny groceries, queensware, glassware, etc. They also make a specialty of landing all kinds of green vegetables and fruits and undoubtedly carry the largest variety in the city. They are sole agents in the city for the world renowned teas and coffees of Chase & Sanborn, and through this line their business has been greatly increased. Messrs. Terry & Fleetwood and their assistants make it a point to treat all their customers … Read more

Shockley & McMurren

The advantages possessed by this city for distribution of lumber and its products are recognized as of paramount importance, and have resulted in a trade which is of large proportions and constantly increasing in volume. This enterprise was founded many years ago by McMurren & Crabell, and came into the hands of the present proprietors in 1893. They have a planning mill, box factory and lumberyard, also manufacture sash doors, blinds and mouldings, and carry a very large and complete line of window and plate glass. The plant is a complete one in every detail, being equipped with the most … Read more

M. Weil & Company

In journeying through life we occasionally run across some men who in business circles have fairly distanced competition, endowed with greater advantages perhaps, but still lacking some qualification possessed by themselves. This qualification may be embraced in the three words industry, integrity and business sagacity. The members of the above firm, M. Well and Carl Dilsheimer, are certainly endowed in this manner. In July, 1887, they succeeded Bamberger & Frank in the old White House building, which they occupied until the fire burned out that block. They then moved into a building built for them by Baer & Block, which … Read more

Commercial Hotel

One of the most popular hotels of our city is the “Commercial,” Mrs. L. E. Miller, proprietor. The building is splendidly situated on First and Court streets convenient to the principal thoroughfare of the city. It possesses a large, bright guest rooms, single and en suite. The house is provided with every modern convenience, gas, electric light, hot and cold water all through it. The dining room is capable of seating forty people, and being under the personal supervision of the proprietor, is noted for its home cooking and satisfying meals. The rates are popular, ranging from $1.00 to $1.25 … Read more

Peoples Steam Laundry

One of the most important industries of our thriving town is the above, it portion of the interior of which we present, in an accompanying cut. It is located on Washington street, a half block east of the Warshauer Hotel, in the most central part of the city, and at a spot where they have the moat excellent drainage. The building is 30×100 feet, two stories high. In the purchase of machinery, and in the installation of business no expense was spared in making everything first class, in order that the work turned out might equal any in the state. … Read more

Palmer & Denham

A list of Baker City’s enterprising and successful business men would not he complete without mentioning Palmer & Denham, the hustling, up-to-date harness men of Main street. The partners, R. R. Palmer and H. E. Denham, are both practical mechanics and personally supervise the construction of every piece of work that is turned out of their shop. The interior cut we present will give our traders some idea of the line carried, which consists of harness, saddles, saddlery, hardware, horse furniture of every description and gloves. They have the largest stock in Eastern Oregon, keeping at large assortment on hand … Read more

J. H. Parker & Sons

A splendid representative of its special line of enterprise is that conducted by J. It. Parker & Sons, livery, board and hack stables. They lover half a block, two stories In height, with accommodations for 125 head of horses, and in fact are the largest stables in Eastern Oregon. They are thoroughly equipped in every way, owning carriages. hulks, and so forth, including it $1200.00 hearse. Special attention is paid to boarders, which are accommodated lit most moderate rates. They also handle hay and grail. owning two ranches in the valley, about eight miles from Baker City, raising hay on … Read more

Stoddard Brothers Lumber

Numbered among the enterprising mill firms of Eastern Oregon is that of the above named gentlemen. Established in McEwan about three years ago by George and Joseph Stoddard, it has been running at the full capacity of 30,000 feet per day. While other mills have been forced to reduce or temporarily shut down, the Stoddard mills have continued to increase their orders. This is largely due to the fact that they are thoroughly conversant with eastern methods, and have been enabled to capture trade where others have failed. A year ago last spring they moved their planer and yards to … Read more

Crystal Palace

Among our large and flourishing business houses, that of the Crystal Palace must be accorded a prominent place. This business was started in l887 in a small way, by Mr. Adler, in the Wisdom block, and enjoyed exceptional prosperity from the start. Last November he was compelled to move to his new quarters and now occupies a floor space of 50×100. In this he carries a very heavy line of jewelry, musical instruments, books, stationery, toys. etc. His jewelry department of which we present an interior cut, is by far the handsomest in the city, provided as it is with … Read more

John’s Grocery Company

A review of our business houses would be incomplete without some mention of the one above. Incorporated in July, 1893, they carry complete lines in groceries, queensware, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and open’s furnishings. In groceries they endeavor to satisfy the wants of the most exacting of their city patrons, and constantly add to the variety of brands carried until today on their shelves will be found an assortment of staple and fancy groceries rarely seen outside of it city store. In the clouting department they can fill the wants of any possible customer, as the selection … Read more

Biography of P. Basche

What Wendell Phillips said of great Political institutions is also true of great business enterprises: “They are not made, they grow,” This saying finds ample and fitting illustration in the large hardware establishment owned by P. Basche. Established in 1865 by J. H. Parker, two years later P. Basche and S. Ottenheimer bought him out, the later selling out a year later to S. H. Parker again, the firm continuing as Parker & Basche until 1888, when .J. P. Faull became interested, buying out Mr. Parker’s interest two years after Mr. Faull’s death Mr. Basche bought his interest and has … Read more

Palmer Grocery Company

The above named house, one of the most representative in its line, was incorporated in May, 1894, by J. W. Daly and Joseph and C. L. Palmer. Their salesroom is tastefully furnished, and contains a choice and carefully collected stock of everything in the line of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, glassware, crockery, &c. They carry a very fine line of fancy groceries, and the scale of operations of this firm are such that they are enabled to offer very special inducements which the public has been quick to recognize, for the trade comes from all parts of the city, … Read more

Geddes & Pollman

This establishment is the principal one of its kind in Eastern Oregon, and in many respects the model one of the state. The present firm composed of J. A. Geddes and Wm. Pollman, succeeded Geddes & Kraft in 1889. At that time they were located in the rear of S. A. Heilner’s in a small building 18×30. In 1891 they established the City Market moved there altogether in 1894, but being continually pressed for room, last year erected their present building, the New Market. It is 25×100, two stories and is beyond doubt the best constructed building in town. No … Read more

F. W. Hendley’s Warehouse

Baker City is steadily growing in importance commercially, and one of the institutions that will largely contribute to this advancement is the subject of our sketch. It is situated on the O. R. & N. Co.’s track, one hundred feet from any other building, and being covered with corrugated iron, is virtually safe against fire. Their business is to both store and forward merchandise for interior merchants, and the handling of wool, grain, flour, sugar, salt. rolled oats and canned goods on commission. The cut we present of the warehouse hardly does justice to it. The owner, F. W. Hendley … Read more

The Sagamore Hotel

An engraving of the Sagamore is shown in this issue of the Democrat. This, one of the best hotels in Eastern Oregon, was erected by J. B. Griswold last season, and opened under the present management October 1st. The building is well arranged and very commodious, consisting of forty-four rooms, with elegant verandas surrounding it, giving it the homelike appearance an inspection of its interior discloses. The main office is well arranged, supplied as it is with a number of conveniences for guests, including all the leading periodicals and magazines. The baggage room opens off the private office in such … Read more

Brown & Heath

The largest establishment of the kind in Baker City, and among the largest in Eastern Oregon. is the drug house of Brown & Heath. They carry a complete line of everything pertaining to the drug trade, including sundries of every description. The interior view we present of their store, will give you perhaps an idea of the stock they carry. No expense has been spared in fitting up their store for the display of goods, thirty-five hundred dollars being spent for fixtures alone. The proprietors, W. C. Brown and M. E. Heath, are both experienced druggists of many years standing, … Read more

Scott & Watson’s Saw Mill

The sawmill of Scott & Watson, of which we present a cut, is situated at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains, about five miles west from Haines. The plant covers about five acres, including dwellings of men, blacksmith shop, &c. They manufacture common and clear lumber, and being right in the midst of a fine belt of timber, including pine, fir and tamarack. They are in a fine position to cater to their many customers. They have lately put in an entire new lot of machinery, including boiler, engine, gang engine, &c, which will place them in even a better … Read more

Baker City Public Schools, Baker County OR

The social conditions of every community can be protected and properly developed and only so far as education provides for training the youth of a community for the duties and responsibilities thereto. It bases its institutions entirely upon the moral and spiritual faculties among men. Our social and political organization rests wholly upon the belief that the majority of men prefer good to evil; hence it is the imperative duty of every community to organize these forces that make for right living that they shall be the dominant forces in the social organism. At no time in the history of … Read more

Columbine Mine

Located in the ruining district known as Cracker Creek, lies the Columbia mine, one of the oldest properties in Baker county. Prospected first by the Cable Brothers, in the early eighties, it has passed through a succession of development stages until today it stands among the first properties of the country. Surrounded by all the necessary elements for successful mining ore, water and timber, the question of its future success seems one of magnitude merely. The property, which now consists of nine quartz and five placer claims, is owned and operated by a corporation known as the Columbia Gold Mining … Read more