O'Kane Building, historic building in Bend, Oregon, USA
The O'Kane Building is a two-story commercial structure from 1916 in downtown Bend, Oregon, built with reinforced concrete and brick for fire resistance. The facade features large windows, an ornately carved wooden entrance, and stucco decorations, while the ground floor holds retail shops and the upper floor contains offices.
The building was constructed in 1916 by Hugh O'Kane following the 1915 fire that destroyed his Idaho hotel, and was then Bend's largest structure. Architects Beezer Brothers selected reinforced concrete to ensure fire safety, making it the city's first fireproof commercial building.
The building carries the name of its builder Hugh O'Kane and displays a stucco relief ornament with fruits, flowers, and the letter K on its facade. This decorative element and the large display windows still shape the street's appearance today and reflect the craftsmanship of its era.
The building sits at the corner of Oregon Avenue and Bond Street in downtown Bend and is easily accessible on foot. Ground-floor shops are open during regular business hours, and the interior with its wooden staircase and original brass doorknobs gives a good sense of the historic construction.
Multiple tenants and visitors have reported strange occurrences such as sounds, flickering lights, and lights turning on by themselves, adding to the building's local folklore. The current manager confirms such reports come in regularly but takes them in stride, viewing them as part of the charm of this old place.
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