Sunday, May 10, 2015

OLD GENERAL STORE AND POST OFFICE -- BLACHLY, OREGON


Deep in the Oregon Coastal range is a small cluster containing two buildings that represents the town of Blachly. Unincorporated, it serves the folks that seem to live out of sight in the mountains. Population of Blachly is 542 folks with six people per square mile. 

Hanging from the post office overhang is an original 
old tin sign identifying the Blachly post office. The post office was established in 1892.


And the second of Blachly's town buildings is the now defunct old General Store residing to the left of the post office in the photo above  and was built in 1918 by Arnold Myers grandfather. And who is Arnold Myers?



Arnold Myers caught leaving the post office while I was snapping some of the old post office photos. I asked him if he was a local and he assured me that he was by telling me he had lived his entire life in Blachly. 

He did say that the building next to the post office was built by his grandfather in 1918 and became the first building in Blachly that was a dedicated General Store. It was sold 20 years ago to a marketing firm. 




He told me that the store's architecture had not really changed although I noticed the place had new windows and siding. Arnold told me the porch still was the same design as when it was built. Also he added that parties and dances used to be held in the upstairs. 

A General Store with that many years of operation surely has many stories to tell about the community

Arnold said there were no official historians of the town. 

16 comments:

  1. How sad that no one is writing down this history!! Maybe you motivated him?

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    1. Tabor -- Sometimes I think that small towns don't realize the history that their town holds. Hopefully Mr Myers will perhaps think about finding a person to do a history on the town. Maybe he could possibly volunteer? thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  2. Only two buildings but they seem to be taken care of by people who use them. The paint on the post office looks new and the siding and windows you pointed out on the former general store are new. What a find. Kind of like driving around and discovering the end of the rainbow -- no pot of gold but a real delight.t

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    1. June -- You observed right -- both buildings were in great shape. It would be nice if the General Store were still in operation. I did not see any grocery stores nearby this sweet little stop in the road. Thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  3. I'd say you ran into a very possible town historian in Mr. Myers. Great to find out some background on that General Store building!

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    1. Barbara -- I think you are right. Mr Myers was chock full of information on the town. He did mention one of the teachers at their one and only school that did a family history project with her class. Sounds like this project would be a good starting place for a town history. thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  4. There is much to be said for quiet and peaceful anonymity.

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    1. Joanne -- There certainly is quiet and peaceful anonymity in the area where these building were located. In addition there was fantastic beauty that I feel can only bolster a serenity to living there. thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  5. It is nice to see that such charming places still exist and that they seem to be well kept.

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    1. visualnorway -- I agree with you that this little commercial area was well kept. Don't you think that well kept places are a reflection of the community as a whole? I think this to be so. thanks for the comment --- barbara

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  6. It badly needs an historian to accompany your great photographs, Barbara.

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    1. Carole Ann -- It seems that our small country places need oral documentation for future historians. Otherwise these histories slip away into oblivion. thanks for your comment -- barbara

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  7. You've discovered another treasure!!! Small town, small buildings, but it sounds like the spirit & the life here were not trivial. Since high school I've had a love for the small town general store. The Smithsonian had a life size replica of the American general store & post office, I think from the early 20th century. I used to hang out there, gazing at everything. (before my sketching days). We had a small general store when I was very very young. It got wiped out by the super highway that came through with the development of suburbia in the 50's. Thank you for the memories...Will you follow up with this man for some more in depth oral history?

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    1. Rita -- General stores have always intrigued me too. Once in a blue moon I will find one still operational. I slam on the brakes and park with no intent other to look at how they have their store arranged and hopefully see some old counters etc. I would call these general stores and like stores that are still alive -- the people's markets. Not yet connected to the big business world like chains. Thanks for your comment. -- barbara

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  8. I shopped many times in this general store during my years growing up in Blachly, Or. The store also served as the communities gas station.

    Mr. Norton was the Postmaster, and many years later during a visit one of my classmates was working at the post office (Pamela) .

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  9. Hello Santa Marty, This is a beautiful spot in an area of farms, mountains and natural beauty. If you still live around in this area you are a very fortunate person. I was so attracted to the small post office -- this little building is why I initially stopped. thanks -- barbara

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