John Deere Plow Company Building, Industrial landmark in Southeast Portland, Oregon.
The John Deere Plow Company Building is a six-story brick structure at 215 SE Morrison Street with rectangular windows and post-beam construction typical of early 1900s industrial design. The building was designed to function as a regional distribution hub for agricultural machinery and retains its original architectural framework.
The structure was built in 1911 during Portland's period of industrial growth, serving as a regional distribution center for John Deere's agricultural equipment. This construction occurred when the city was rapidly expanding its commercial infrastructure to support growing trade networks.
The building reflects the Pacific Northwest's reliance on agricultural equipment and how John Deere's operations shaped local commerce. Visitors walking past can sense the connection between this industrial structure and the farming communities it once served.
The building sits directly underneath the Morrison Bridge viaduct, making it easy to find but also exposed to road noise and weather. The exterior remains largely unchanged, so you can observe the original industrial design details clearly from the street.
Two stone plaques at the entrance display 1837 and 1911, connecting the invention of the steel plow to the construction of this distribution hub. This pairing of dates creates a visual link between the original innovation and where it was distributed to farmers across the region.
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