Dave Shepard
Square peg, round world.
I made this video about five years ago.
Timber Framing
- Thread starter brendonv
- Start date
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Nutball
TreeHouser
Especially a perfectly straight white oak log.
Dave Shepard
Square peg, round world.
Photo workaround:
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Burnam?
Did you get to see this before it was lost?
The Grand Forestry Building in Portland was once a breathtaking example of timber architecture and a proud symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s natural heritage. Constructed for the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, it was meant to showcase the immense forestry resources of Oregon and the broader region. Designed by architect Ion Lewis, with contributions from the prominent Portland firm Whidden and Lewis and rising talent Albert E. Doyle, the building combined rustic beauty with impressive scale.
Though often called the “world’s largest log cabin,” it was actually the second largest of its kind. Still, its massive Douglas fir logs and cathedral-like interior made it an awe-inspiring sight for visitors. The structure stood as a tribute to the region’s rich timber industry, drawing attention not just for its size, but also for its artistry and the engineering it took to build such a place.
Tragically, this iconic building was destroyed by fire in 1964—not 1905 as sometimes misreported—bringing an end to one of Portland’s most unique historical landmarks. Though it no longer stands, the memory of the Grand Forestry Building lives on as a powerful reminder of Oregon's deep ties to the forest and its early 20th-century pride in resource-based craftsmanship.
Did you get to see this before it was lost?
The Grand Forestry Building in Portland was once a breathtaking example of timber architecture and a proud symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s natural heritage. Constructed for the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, it was meant to showcase the immense forestry resources of Oregon and the broader region. Designed by architect Ion Lewis, with contributions from the prominent Portland firm Whidden and Lewis and rising talent Albert E. Doyle, the building combined rustic beauty with impressive scale.
Though often called the “world’s largest log cabin,” it was actually the second largest of its kind. Still, its massive Douglas fir logs and cathedral-like interior made it an awe-inspiring sight for visitors. The structure stood as a tribute to the region’s rich timber industry, drawing attention not just for its size, but also for its artistry and the engineering it took to build such a place.
Tragically, this iconic building was destroyed by fire in 1964—not 1905 as sometimes misreported—bringing an end to one of Portland’s most unique historical landmarks. Though it no longer stands, the memory of the Grand Forestry Building lives on as a powerful reminder of Oregon's deep ties to the forest and its early 20th-century pride in resource-based craftsmanship.
Burnham
Woods walker
Not fortunate enough to have done so, Stephen. I moved to Oregon in 1978, so it was gone by a bit over a dozen years or so by then. It is a building that people still talk about here.
Like many places I guess, since I was not born here, the close to 50 years I have lived in Oregon at this point still leaves me considered little better than a newcomer by the folks with multi-generations of family born here
. Some of those have actually said out loud, "at least you aren't from California" 
. A barely saving grace in some folk's eyes 
.
Actually, a really good-sized percentage of early settlers came from the Deep South, just as I did. I meet Oregon people not infrequently whose families 2-3-4 generations ago came from near my birthplace, in relative terms.
Of course, to the First Nations peeps, the rest of us are all recent immigrants...and it is hard to argue that they are not correct.
Like many places I guess, since I was not born here, the close to 50 years I have lived in Oregon at this point still leaves me considered little better than a newcomer by the folks with multi-generations of family born here
. Some of those have actually said out loud, "at least you aren't from California" . A barely saving grace in some folk's eyes .Actually, a really good-sized percentage of early settlers came from the Deep South, just as I did. I meet Oregon people not infrequently whose families 2-3-4 generations ago came from near my birthplace, in relative terms.
Of course, to the First Nations peeps, the rest of us are all recent immigrants...and it is hard to argue that they are not correct
.
