The downtown Dallas street system was platted in 1856 to include Court Street where this historic building is located. The current building, constructed c. 1948, replaced a small 1 ½ story wooden house built right next to the alley that had been on the lot since before 1884.
The architecture of this one-story building is rather utilitarian, characteristic of many buildings built in the post- World War 2 era all over Oregon. Constructed rather simply of cement block with unembellished geometric forms and large plate glass windows, though of a simple style, it creates a good location for office space and small shops. Over the years it has undergone some simple remodels, with the most prominent departure from original being the interlocking metal panels at the cornice. On the other hand, for originality, look particularly at the glass block surrounds on the window frames, a staple of the Art Deco and Streamline Modern designs of the 1930s and 1940s.
Like its next-door neighbor, Grandma’s Attic, the simplicity of the building’s style reflected not only its functionality and efficiency, but it represented a conscious retreat from the fussy, ornate designs of its Victorian predecessors found throughout the District.
Though the original occupants of the two addresses in the building are unknown, Oregon Cable Vision set up shop at both addresses c. 1970. Following that occupancy, there was a gym in 155 SW Court for a while, then Pepperoni’s Pizza until 1994 when they moved out and Granma’s Attic moved in. Grandma’s was there until 2000 when they moved to 167 SW Court and Court Street Hair moved in and is still there after 25 years. In 2018, Steve and Rachel Greco, owners of Grandma’s Attic, bought both this building and their Granma’s Attic building.
References
- Library of Congress Sanborn Maps: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?q=dallas+oregon