Wilkinson-Swem Building - Medford, Oregon
Posted by: 
ddtfamily
N 42° 19.612 W 122° 52.313
10T E 510556 N 4686077
Built in 1895, an Eastlake-style commercial building in downtown Medford
Waymark Code: WMFWV8
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2012
Views: 4
The Wilkinson-Swem Building is a two-story brick structure of commercial Eastlake design. The large projecting bay window and it's curved, copper roof are among the building's most prominent features.
The building's name derives from its association with Edward Wilkinson, who had the building constructed to house his meat market on the lower floor with living space above it. Previously, Wilkinson worked for John Orth, a butcher in the nearby historic town of Jacksonville (see Orth House). Edward Wilkinson's son, Eddie Jr., played baseball for one season for the New York Highlanders (now Yankees) in 1911, making him the only major league baseball player ever born in Jacksonville. Wilkinson retired from the meat market business shortly after 1900, but Edward and son John continued living in the building for a time. The building would remain in Wilkinson family ownership until 1977.
In 1919, Swem's Photo Studio moved into the building, where it would continue for the next 60 years. Sale of the building in 1981 led to removal of various poorly designed alterations and restoration of the structure to close to its original design.
