Barber Block

The Barber Block at Southeast Grand and Washington Street is a three-story building that blends Victorian style elements, including Italianate and Queen Anne details, across its facade. The ground floor originally housed different retail businesses while upper floors provided apartments for residents.

Edward Holman built this structure in 1890 and named it after his father-in-law Henry Barber, who operated a mortuary business. The project emerged during a period when Southeast Portland was expanding rapidly and new commercial buildings were reshaping the neighborhood.

The building shows the mix of shops and homes that was typical for growing neighborhoods in the late 1800s. You can still see how commercial and residential life were closely linked in this part of the city.

The building sits at a busy street corner, making it easy to locate and view from multiple angles. The location provides direct access to other shops and amenities in the surrounding neighborhood.

Architect Thomas J. Jones added decorative stone archways over the entries that reflected the emerging Richardsonian Romanesque style of that era. These design touches show how forward-thinking architectural ideas took shape in Portland during the 1890s.