For Sale: The Morgan and Bailey Building – Hillsboro’s Most Iconic 19th-Century Landmark

Few people know more about the History of Hillsboro, Oregon, than I do.  And that is just a statement of fact and the result of years of idiosyncratic fascination with history, old buildings in my hometown, and the stories of the people who built them and lived and worked in them.  That has come to me over time, and as a local real estate broker with 43 years of experience, I have been inside almost all the old buildings in Hillsboro and Washington County at one point or another.  I have also handled numerous sales and redevelopment projects for these historic properties. In the past decade or two, I have had a hand in the sales/aquisition/redevelopment/repurposing of the  Cooperstone/Blue Oxe reimagining, the Main Street Pediatric/Smith’s Grocery building, 140 NE 2nd / Harvey Medical Office, Rune & Board Building, the Well’s Estate, The Orenco Mercantile/Through The Veil, The Orenco Drug Company, the McGill House, the McDonald House, Ring’s Hills Estate, The Faul House, the Barrett House, The Johnson/Belluschi House, 9th & Cedar Clinic, The Force House, The Shute House, and the list goes on.

When I heard today that the Morgan & Bailey Building had been listed for sale, I felt it was time to spread the word and cast a net to find the next owner, exploring what could become of it. So to do that, I once again turn to telling the historical story of the building and its creators.  So grab the Popcorn, and let’s learn some history and think about what is possible for the future.

The Offering

For $2,000,000 or best offer, you can own the historic Morgan and Bailey building.  Here are the highlights of the offering for the iconic building that has not been for sale for 17 years.

Located at the prime corner of Main Street and NE 2nd in the heart of downtown Hillsboro, 203–207 E Main Street offers a rare owner-user opportunity with exceptional visibility and flexibility. This charming two-story commercial building, built circa 1901, spans approximately 8,975 square feet on a 0.11-acre lot and features 81 feet of frontage on Main Street and 94 feet on NE 2nd Street. The first floor includes prominent retail spaces, while the second floor hosts a variety of office suites. Positioned directly across from the Washington County Courthouse and Hillsboro Civic Center, the site benefits from abundant foot traffic, public street parking, and strong civic presence. Zoned SCC-DT (Station Community Commercial – Downtown), the property allows for a range of uses including retail, office, and restaurant. Exterior signage options are available, and businesses may be eligible for the City of Hillsboro’s Storefront Improvement Grant Program offering up to $40,000 in funding. Buyers have the flexibility to occupy up to 75% of the building, making it an ideal investment for those seeking visibility, adaptability, and historical character in a thriving urban core.

There are 14 individual suites on the 2nd floor, which feature beautiful arched transom windows overlooking downtown Hillsboro and a lot of rustic charm in the form of red brick and period woodwork.  I have seen most of the suites, and they are cool!  Lucia Isabell Dress Shop and Samson Tattoo Collective occupy two extensive suites on the main level.

The building occupies the entire lot and does not have any parking facilities.  It is zoned SCC-DT, a zoning classification that allows a wide range of uses and a building height of nearly 70 feet.  No Parking stalls are required.  Should the building ever be removed, it is possible that a three to six-story mid-rise could be built.  The objective for many locals is to preserve the corner of 2nd and Main as a historical anchor to the past.

Of course (shameless plug), it would be my great pleasure to speak with anyone interested in pursuing this property. My information is at the bottom of this story.  The listing form is Baldwin-Hayden, and my good friend and fellow broker Nick Baldwin is handling the marketing for the owners as the property makes its way onto the web and beyond!

Now for some history.  Who were the builders, and what makes the building so historic?

🏛️ Morgan and Bailey Building – 203-207 E Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon

📌 Basic Site Information

• Location: NE corner of East Main Street and SE Second Street

• Tax Lot: 1N 2W, Section 31½ CC, Tax Lot 900

• Block 1, Lot 8

• Original Use: Residence

• Present Use: Commercial

• Architectural Theme: 19th Century

• Construction Date: Circa 1890

• Condition: Fair

🧱 Architectural Significance

• Style: Most ornate surviving 19th-century brick building in Hillsboro.

• Key Features:

  • Two stories, red brick construction

  • Large arched window bays with brick voussoirs and stained-glass transoms

  • Contrasting brick relief outlines around windows

  • Former galvanized iron cornice replaced with stucco parapet

  • Ground floor modernized with stucco siding, stenciling, and metal-framed plate glass windows

🧾 Historical Significance

• Built by:

  • Dr. F.A. Bailey and John J. Morgan, between 1888–1892

• Original Tenants (1892):

  • Printing office

  • Dry goods store

  • Drug store (Hillsboro Pharmacy, relocated here)

  • Building had a tin roof and steam boiler

• Possibly Occupied (1894) by:

  • Wehrung & Son General Store, run by Henry and William Wehrung

👤 Key Figures

🧑‍⚕️ Dr. F.A. Bailey (1839–1920)

• Born in Tennessee

• Studied medicine at Woodlawn Academy, Lebanon College (St. Louis), Pope’s College, and Toland Medical College (San Francisco)

• Confederate Army medical cadet during the Civil War (General Price’s division, c. 1862)
• Some stories have him jumping off a paddle wheeler and running from the Confederacy, where he ended up in Scoggin’s Valley and became a schoolteacher, hiding his medical skills until people came to trust him.

• Moved to Oregon in 1864; graduated from Willamette University Medical School in 1870

• Practiced medicine in Hillsboro from 1872 to 1920

• “Doc” as he was known, opened Hillsboro’s first pharmacy in 1873; relocated it into this building later. Many of you know it as the Hillsboro Pharmacy.

• Doc was a three-time Hillsboro Mayor and City Council member

• Served as Navy health officer in Nome, Alaska, during the Yukon Gold Rush smallpox outbreak (late 1890s)

• Contributed to Oregon Medical and Surgical Reporter and San Francisco Medical Journal

• Recalled as a devoted “country doctor” who served day and night in all weather

• Died February 1, 1920, age 80

🧑 John J. Morgan (1851–1908) – Known as JJ Morgan

• Former railroad agent and warehouse operator

• Business partnerships: J.I. Imbrie, R. Imbrie, W. Simmons

• Manager and speculator on Hillsboro’s growth in the late 1880s

• Co-built this building with Dr. Bailey

• Platted the Fairview Addition in 1891

• Wife: Emma E. Morgan (b. 1854)

• Children: W. Clarence and J. Elwood – both died in infancy

• Personal history sparsely recorded- no known photos

• We know he was a skilled contractor and a real estate hustler from the articles we have read.

🏙️ Contextual Importance

• The building reflects Hillsboro’s commercial emergence in the 1890s as it sought to shed its ‘Wild West’ image and move into a more prosperous era.

• It is one of the oldest and most architecturally distinctive commercial structures remaining in town

• Its legacy is tied deeply to the public service, medical care, and civic leadership of Dr. Bailey.

• Also, a rare physical reminder of Morgan’s speculative vision for early Hillsboro

My knowledge of all of Hillsboro’s earliest leaders allows me to say that there were few, if any, people who more defined what Hillsboro has become than Dr. F.A. Bailey.  The man had a vision, and he wanted Hillsboro to be better —to rise to the occasion as the County seat and to move out of the horse manure and debauchery, shining as a bright star.  He really, truly did.  He was magnanimous, caring, possessed great poise, a master negotiator, a consummate gentleman, and someone to whom people came for advice and help, and it was always given.  A lifelong Democrat, “Doc” was a neighbor and best friend of the conservative powerhouse attorney-turned-US Senator, Thomas Tongue.   The two were famous friends and led our community forward to the prosperity we now enjoy.  This is uncommon nowadays, but it wasn’t unusual back then.

If there were ever a “Mr. Hillsboro” award, Doc Bailey would be the guy!

Bonus Content:  The Baileys Did It Big In Early Hillsboro

Meet the Baileys- Circa 1890 – The Family Photo

Information provided by Hillsboro Historian Matt Anderson:

“After a bit of digging, in the old days, Dr. Francis A. and Letitia Bailey owned the entire eastern half of the city block bounded by Baseline and Oak Streets and 1st and 2nd Avenues. Title to the northern half of their real estate was in Dr. Bailey’s name, and the southern half in Letitia’s (a common practice back then, so if sudden tragedy struck the husband, the wife would have at least one valuable asset at her immediate disposal for financial liquidity). F.A. and Letitia Bailey’s home was on the SW corner of 2nd and Baseline. I’ve attached a photo but this is obviously not the house featured in “The West Shore” from 1888. Also, by 1909, a portion of the land in Letitia’s name (a chunk at the NW corner of 2nd and Oak) had been transferred to one of their sons, Dr. Francis J. Bailey (he shared both his father’s first name and his profession). F.J. Bailey had a residence there. Anyway, all these interesting historical notes aside, my point is that if the house in “The West Shore” actually existed in Hillsboro, it seems likely it would have sat somewhere on the eastern half of this particular city block. I bemoan our lack of *complete* archives for the Argus and Independent because, indeed, the destruction of a grand, Second Empire style house like this — historically owned by such a prominent family — would have received notice at the time.”

The Deep Dive On “Doc” Bailey

Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 285.
 
F. A. BAILEY, M.D.
     An eminent physician and surgeon of Hillsboro, Oregon, was born in Hardeman
county, Tennessee, on January 28, 1839.  His parents were William L. and Mary
(Wilkinson) Bailey.  His father was a Virginian and his mother was a native of
North Carolina.  She was a daughter of General Frank Wilkinson, a general in the
war of 1812.  Francis Alonzo Bailey was their third child of a family of eight.
He lived in Tennessee until his eighteenth year, and received his education at
Woodland Academy and Lebanon College, in that State.  He then went to St. Louis,
Missouri, preparing himself for a professional career at Pope's College, where
he studied medicine for two years.  After this, he served for two years as a
medical cadet in the Confederate army in General Price's division and was also
connected with the hospital service of the Confederate army.  In 1864, he came
to Oregon, and attended the Willamette University at Salem, receiving there his
degree of M.D. in 1870.  From there he went to San Francisco, where he attended
the Toland Medical College, receiving a diploma from that institution in 1871.
In 1872, he came to Hillsboro, engaging in the practice of his profession which
he has followed for twenty years, and which has been lucrative and successful.
In his practice he has ridden in all directions in all seasons and kinds of
weather, both day and night, alleviating the suffering of the sick, knowing but
one law for rich and poor alike, by which he has gained a wide favorable
reputation, and secured the friendship of a large number of acquaintances.  He
loves his profession, making it his life study, and has contributed several
learned articles to medical literature, which have been published in the Oregon
Medical and Surgical Reporter, and in various other medical and scientific
journals.  He has also contributed some valuable articles to the San Francisco
Medical Journal, and to various other publications, together with a number of
papers to the Oregon State Medical Society.  When this latter association was
organized, he became an active member, and for three years was one of its Board
of Censors, and served as its president and vice-president.  During his
residence in Washington county, he has become the owner of several large and
valuable tracts of land, and has built for himself an attractive and commodious
residence, of modern architecture and improvements, and laid out the ground in a
tasteful manner.  He has also, in partnership with another gentleman, built two
of the finest brick blocks in the city, the last one of which is a very great
improvement to the business portion of the city, being a credit alike to the
Doctor and the city.
     Dr. Bailey was married in 1866, to Miss Letitia A. Chambers, a native of
Oregon, and a daughter of J. W. and Mary A. Chambers, highly esteemed pioneers
to this State.  They have six children, four sons and two daughters:  The eldest
son, Francis J., graduated from the Oregon State Normal School at Monmouth in
June, 1891, and is reading medicine with his father.  Augustus B. and John W.
are at college, while the three youngest, Louisa A., Eva A. and Thomas C., are
at home with their parents.  The Doctor is a member of the A.F. & A.M. and is a
Past Master of Tualatin Lodge.  In politics he is a Democrat, and takes an
active interest in the political affairs of his county.  He has been a member of
the City Council and has served for three terms as Mayor of his city.  He is
prominent in the conventions of his party, who have frequently honored him with
nominations to important positions, even suggesting his name as Governor of the
State, which office he could no doubt fill to the credit of himself and
constituency, possessing the intelligence and ability to understand his duties
as chief executive of the State, and the power of his convictions to do what is
right.  He was at one time tendered the chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine
in the medical department of Willamette University, but declined the honor.
*******************
Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.

Bringin’ Home the Docs Desk-

In 2020, I was able to do something that made so many of us proud.  I found Dr Bailey’s desk, which he had used for decades to write prescriptions on and more since the 1860s.  We got it back to Hillsboro and it now is on show at Hillsboro City Hall.

From 2020:  The story of this desk…what we came to call The Hillsboro Desk- was just one for the ages. The historic desk of Dr. F.A. Bailey, who was 4 time Hillsboro Mayor, founder of the Hillsboro Pharmacy, and 1st doctor in the Tualatin Valley, was just too amazing! The desk needed to come home to Hillsboro from Lake Oswego where we found it being held by a collector.  Getting it back to Hillsboro was a goal I set once I saw it…and would never have happened without Al Waible who found it, Jeff Nelson Sandie Nelson of Le’ Stuff Antique Mall who cleaned it and cared for it, and all my good buddies at the Hillsboro Pharmacy and Fountain, who helped raise the money to bring this beauty home. A hundred thousand prescriptions were filled out on it’s beautiful red felt. Records and prescriptions and treasures safeguarded in its care. For many decades the great man used it as his daily work partner yet its beauty never faded. It was built in the late 1800s and was in Hillsboro for 100 years before it left via a sale to various collectors. Sitting proudly at City Hall on loan, the Hillsboro Desk holds the collective memories of generations. As do all of us. There is nothing we can’t do together. Go visit it… in the lobby of the first floor of City Hall! All the Info is there… and you can read about our quest right there!

And that, my friends, is the story of the Morgan and Bailey Building, including sales information and a deep history of the people who built it, their impact on Hillsboro, and the work some of us are doing never to forget those who brought us to where we are today.

Dirk Knudsen is the President of the Hillsboro Historical Society, the broker at MORE Realty- Hillsboro Office – 222 East Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon (503) 799-8383, and the founder of the Hillsboro Herald.

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