Rediscovering a Downtown Icon

While La Grande Main Street Downtown (LGMSD) is known for its signature community events, some of our most important work happens behind the scenes. One key role we play is supporting local property owners through the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant (OMSRG), a statewide program created in 2015 to help communities restore and reactivate historic downtown buildings.

Administered by Oregon Heritage, OMSRG invests in preservation-based redevelopment that strengthens rural downtowns. Projects must demonstrate community benefit, economic impact, and a commitment to historic preservation. Eligible improvements include rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, façade restoration, and code‑compliance upgrades, work that helps historic structures remain active, useful, and vibrant.

Several years ago, LGMSD was honored to help secure a $200,000 matching grant for the restoration of one of La Grande’s most recognizable historic structures: the former Elks Lodge at 1124 Washington Avenue, later known as the Maridell Center and now home to Evermine Labels and Press Room Coffee & Books. The project. led by building owners Jeanne and David Williamson in partnership with Friends of La Grande Main Street, focused on removing the non-historic façade, restoring original window openings, and bringing the exterior closer to its 1914 appearance. All work was completed in accordance with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) standards, as required by the grant.

From this.....Elks Club being restored after an electrical fire

To this....Maridell Center

The Williamsons purchased the building in 2021 after relocating their custom labeling company from Portland to La Grande. From the beginning, they envisioned returning the structure to a more historically appropriate look. The building had undergone many changes over the decades: originally constructed in 1914 as Elks Lodge No. 433, it once featured three upper floors and even a basement swimming pool. A 1970 electrical fire destroyed much of the third floor, and the subsequent 1971–72 remodel dramatically altered the exterior with aggregate concrete panels and decorative shapes that obscured the original brick and stonework.

Revealing the surviving historic elements...

Because so much of the historic fabric had been damaged or removed over time, a full restoration was not possible. However, the OMSRG-supported project allowed the owners to peel back the mid-century façade, uncover surviving historic elements, and reconstruct missing features where feasible. The work unfolded in two major phases, first along Depot Street, then along Washington Avenue, with a third year built in to accommodate supply-chain delays and contractor availability. The result is a dramatically renewed exterior that honors the building’s past while supporting its modern use.

This project was part of a statewide investment in rural downtowns; the former Elks Lodge was one of 27 matching grants totaling nearly $5 million awarded that cycle. The program’s requirement that at least half of all funds go to rural communities has been a significant benefit to Eastern Oregon, helping ensure that historic buildings like this one remain active contributors to local economic vitality.

To this: Press Room Coffee & Books/Evermine Labels

Today, the completed façade restoration stands as a testament to what can happen when dedicated property owners, community partners, and statewide preservation programs work together. The building once again reflects its historic character, strengthening the visual fabric of downtown La Grande and supporting the continued growth of a beloved local business.