S. Oregon Preservation: Two Most Endangered Places Making Progress

Last week, Restore Oregon’s Preservation Programs team visited southern Oregon to monitor easements and see the progress on two of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places, Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point and the Medford Elks Lodge. The Butte Creek Mill Foundation is more than halfway to its $2.5 million fundraising goal! The mill is formally taking shape with logs assembled by Ashland-based firm, Treeborn Timbercraft, fashioned as they were in 1872 with mortise and tenon joints. Restoration efforts will continue through the winter, including a portion funded through a seed grant from Restore Oregon. Stay tuned for further updates on the foundation’s progress–reopening of the mill is expected next spring.

The Preservation Programs team also met with the owners of the Medford Elks Lodge, representa

tives from the City of Medford, and Joy Sears, Special Assessment Tax Program and Restoration Specialist with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. Owners of the lodge are beginning abatement and looking into taking advantage of historic tax credits for upcoming rehabilitation work. They are currently showing the expansive, three-floor lodge to interested tenants. List

ed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the impressive structure retains much of its historic integrity including such elements as original woodwork, tile flooring, marble wainscoting, library, billiard room, and third-floor great hall. While (thankfully) not authentic to the building, we were also impressed with the 1970s tiki bar. Check back for future updates on the rehabilitation of Medford’s architectural monolith!