Cottage Grove in Lane County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

First National Bank of Cottage Grove

1911

— Cottage Grove Downtown Commercial Historic District —

First National Bank of Cottage Grove Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

1. First National Bank of Cottage Grove Marker

Inscription.
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
and is subject to the provisions of the
Oregon Special Assessment Program.
ORS.358.475.565

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 43° 47.833′ N, 123° 3.724′ W. Marker is in Cottage Grove, Oregon, in Lane County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and S 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 537 E Main Street, Cottage Grove OR 97424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Animal House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lena Flaiskey Becker (about 300 feet away); Stewart and Hinds Building (about 500 feet away); The Centennial Bridge (about 600 feet away); Crossing the Calapooya Mountains

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 700 feet away); The Changing Trail to Oregon (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cottage Grove.

Regarding First National Bank of Cottage Grove. The First National Bank of Cottage Grove building is not individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) but is a primary contributing building (no. 36) within the Cottage Grove Downtown Commercial Historic District, which was listed on the NRHP in 1993.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Cottage Grove Downtown Commercial Historic District Building Inventory Form Description:

This building signifies the growth and prosperity of Cottage Grove after the turn of the century. The First National Bank of Cottage Grove was established in 1890 by Herbert Eakin and Darwin Bristow at their General Merchandise Store, next to the Whipple Building, located on River Road in the original Cottage Grove settlement. Their prosperity as bankers resulted in the construction of a new brick bank building in 1894 at the corner of West Main and River Road. In 1900 the success of the bank was assured with incorporation under National Charter Laws with assets
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

2. First National Bank of Cottage Grove Marker
of $25,000 as the First National Bank. In 1902 Darwin Bristow left the bank to move to Eugene, at which time Herbert Eakin became president of the bank. Bristow was instrumental in establishing the 1st National Bank of Eugene after his move. In 1904 the bank moved across the river to the Jones Building on the southeast corner of South Sixth and Main Streets. After completion of the First National Bank building in 1911 the bank moved into its new quarters. In 1940 the bank was purchased by Transamerica Bank Holding Company, resulting in a move to a larger space at North Fifth and Main Streets in 1953. In 1912 the first library of Cottage Grove was established on the second floor of the bank building. Since that time the bank building has been used for barber and beauty shops, legal and professional offices. Judge John Wells maintained his Justice of the Peace court on the second floor for many years.

The First National Bank building was constructed as a fireproof building designed by the Seattle architectural firm of Beezer Brothers. Louis Beezer may have been responsible for the buildings design as two similar bank buildings in Walla Walla, Washington and Medford, Oregon are attributed to him. The buff colored bricks came from the old Willamina Brickyards, according to the Aug. 1911 Cottage Grove Leader. The bearing wall bricks came from local brick yards (probably
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, April 11, 2026

3. First National Bank of Cottage Grove
the Wallace or Gleason brick yard.) The limestone trim is from Indiana. The interior exhibited terrazzo flooring, Alaskan marble and mahogany trim and furniture, although evidence of this is nonexistent on the interior of the structure. The second floor interior is intact as constructed.

When the bank was constructed in 1911 it was one of the most substantial and imposing structures in the city. Many regarded it as the finest building in Cottage Grove for many years. It is significant architecturally because of its high quality construction and use of materials. The association of the building with the Eakin and Bristow families of Cottage Grove increases its significance. Darwin Bristow was an early mayor of Cottage Grove during the days of Lemati, and Herbert Eakin served as treasurer for decades.

(Submitted on April 20, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.