The
Victorian Queen Anne structure at 321 and 323 Second
SW was built in 1892 and remodeled in 1982.
The
Straney-Moore Livery Stable was in the basement,
which had a ramp access and grooved cement floors
to keep the horses from slipping.
Until
recently the rings for securing horses were still
visible. The upper floors were used for a grocery
store, farm supply and storage.
The
date and original stained glass are visible on the
front and iron hinges for the shutters on the back.
When Sam Frager purchased the building the stalls
were still intact.
In
the loft area, the pulley system is visible that
was used to open the upper windows from below. The
9 foot front doors were used for the horse and carriage
access. These doors are still intact in the storage
area of the loft.
The
Straney & Moore's Livery Stable building is
one of the finest examples of Queen Anne commercial
architecture in the City of Albany.
Built
as a livery stable in 1892, "...it was equivalent
to Hertz--renting horses for visiting salesman."
The large basement was used for horses; the first
floor was used for display of carriages; and the
second floor was believed to be a storage area.
It was the most elaboarte of the four livery stables
in town and was located near the blacksmith shop
of Johnson Franklin.
However,
in 1892, Albany's mode of transportation was drifting
away from the horse and carriage. In about 1880
the bicycle became a popular vehicle and by 1902
an Albany man built the first automobile in the
State of Oregon.
By
1902, Alvin Straney and W.L. Moore moved from Albany,
and Stewart & Sox Hardware Co. moved into the
building. They sold farm machinery, guns and ammunition,
hardware, tinware and paint. By 1905, they were
also carrying Plano & Deering Binders and Mowers,
Studebaker wagons, hacks and buggies, sporting goods
and White sewing machines. They had formed their
business in 1886 and moved from the northwest corner
of First and Ferry.
Mr.
Charles Hall Steward was a prominent man of Albany.
He married Cora J. Irvine, Daughter of S.G. Irvine,
minister and one of the founders of the United Presbyterian
Church. He purchased an interest in the States Rights
Democrat in 1874 and retained it until 1876. In
1883-1884 he was a County Clerk, in 1892 he was
a City Council member, and in 1905 he was a County
Judge.
Mr.
Edward F. Sox was one of the first professors at
Albany College, a Presbyterian College formed in
1867. He taught mathematics from 1872-1875. He married
Weltha Young, one of his students and a member of
the first class to graduate from the College. Her
brother was S.E. Young, a well-known and successful
businessman in Albany. Mr. Sox came from Illinois
and lived for a time in Seattle. His son, Carleton
Edward Sox, was also a professor at Albany College
in 1925 and taught Business Law. Carleton remained
in Albany and became a prominent attorney.
Steward
& Sox sold their business to Barker Brothers
Hardware in about 1915 when S.E. Young built his
department store next door. By 1925, Hamilton's
Department Store had moved into both the livery
stable and Young's Department Store and remained
as one of Albany's finest department stores for
over 20 years.
Later,
in the late 1960's to early 1980's, the left side
of the Livery Stable/Department Store turned into
the Pix Theatre. When it closed in the early 80's
it became a liquor store and other retail spaces,
while the right side was the Lovelace Flower Shop.
The
Pix Theatre is re-born utilizing the entire building,
with the right side being the lobby and concession,
and the left side being the auditorium and restrooms.
The only thing original about the theatre is the
sloped wood floor and the name. Otherwise it is
all new.
It
is a first-run movie theatre with 200 seats, that
offers a unique atmosphere and venues. |