Historic Summary

HISTORIC SUMMARY FOR THE WOODMAN OF THE WORLD BUILDING
[The Melody Ballroom]
615 S.E ALDER STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON

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The 1925 two-story, brick-faced Woodmen of the World Building located at SE Sixth and Alder Streets on Block 141, lots S12.5' of lot 2, lots 3-4, W47' of lots 5 & 6, S12.5 of lot 7 in the East Portland Addition to the CIty of Portland was designed by Portland architects, Wallace William Lucius and Earl G. Cash. When dedicated on November 1, 1925, the structure was heralded as the largest, finest, most modern Woodmen of the World Hall in the world. The cost of the building including the purchase of furnishings exceeded $350,000.

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At the time of construction the Multnomah Camp. NO. 77 was claimed to have the largest active membership in the world. Its members exceeded the Golden Gate Camp in San Francisco by 1,400 members, totaling 6,300, with 350 additional candidates being initiated the day of the building's dedication. At the time the Woodmen of the World were considered the premier insurance fraternal organization in the country. Participating in the grand ceremonial dedication were such notables as Mayer Baker, a member of the Lodge, and Governor Pierce, a charter member of the Pendleton Camp.

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The present structure was built on the site of the old Woodmen of the World Hall, Harmony Hall, and additional property acquired at the time. Harmony hall was built c.1902. Prior to the construction of the present Hall, Harmony Hall was sold to the Columbia Singing Societies and moved up the street to a site on East Alder between 7th and 8th. The Woodmen of the World later purchased and remodeled Harmony Hall in 1946. Harmony Hall no longer exists.

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Original plans for the 1925 structure included an entrance through a mammouth stump which was to be on East Sixth Street made of concrete, resembling a stump of a gigantic tree. The stump being one of the important emblems of the Woodmen of the World. The final product, although not boasting a stump entrance, was said to be of the finest quality.

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The basement consisted of a reading room, lounging room with a large fireplace and comfortable furnishings, cardroom, refreshment room where one could purchase soft drinks, candy, ice cream and the like, banquet room that seated 525, completely modern kitchen with the latest electric appliances, volleyball court, billiard and pool room and private locker room for the drill team.

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The main floor lodged the Woodmen of the World Camp. No. 77 offices, the large meeting hall which was equipped to seat 1,500, a stage, large balcony over the door of the hall, ladies' parlor, checkroom, anteroom, a fine maple dancing floor, and a spacious lobby.

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The lobby contained two large marble slabs with the names in gold of members who donated money to the building fund. The walls were to have been of a new soft acoustical material of beautiful design. Another small hall was located on the top floor again with maple floor and a small stage. Here the Neighbors of Woodcraft, the Roosevelt Masonic Lodge and others resided. The top floor also boasted a coatroom, locker rooms for drum corp and three offices for rent.

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From the time of the building's dedication through the 1970's the Hall was principally used as a meeting place for various organizations. Listed among those organizations were Eastside Commercial Club, American Legion Rose City Post, Women of the Mooseheart, Loyal Order of the Moose, Artisans Assembly No. 600, Neighbors of Woodcraft, Associated Bible Students, Oregon Winter Sports Association, Construction and General Laborer's Local Union and the International Woodworkers of America local to name a few. The Woodmen of the World building was also used for the Eastside Automobile License Bureau, Eastside Police Department, Police Post #2807 VFW and by various dance studios. By the 1950's the building was called the Eagle Building and later the Alder East Building.

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ARCHITECT BIOGRAPHY:
The Woodmen of the World Building was designed by Wallace William Lucius and Earl G. Cash, Portland architects. Although both architects occupied the same office space, they appear to have worked as separate entities. Of the two architects, Lucius was of importance throughout the Northwest having designed many buildings, warehouses, apartments and garages, some being significant structures.