Learn about our History of serving Oregon families since 1901
Blackledge Furniture is a fourth generation family business started in 1901 to serve the home furnishings needs of the mid valley area. The store was founded by Oliver J. Blackledge who came to Oregon from Iowa in the 1890s. The store originally sold furniture, bedding, rugs, paints, musical instruments, and even undertaking services, as was common for furniture stores at the time.
The original store at 328 SW 2nd in 1902.
Interior
of the store in 1903
The original store was remodeled and enlarged in 1923 with the construction of a new building to the south. The store grew during the 1920's and survived the depression years by developing one of the largest paint selections in the Willamette Valley. During the 1930's the selection of furniture was expanded. Even then, the store sold well know brands such as Drexel Furniture, Hotpoint appliances, Atwater Kent radios, and Sherwin Williams paints.
Construction of 2nd part of the
original building in 1923
The old store building and delivery truck in the 1930s
In 1948 the business was purchased by Robert and Peggy Blackledge who expanded the business and added appliances, televisions, carpeting and draperies to the product mix.
In 1970 the current owners Eric and Judy
Blackledge moved the business north one block to it's current
location at 2nd and Jefferson. The renovated department
store building gave us almost 35,000 square feet of sales area with a
large adjoining 18,000 square foot Clearance Center, Annex, and
warehouse - service area. The new store
permitted a greater emphasis on home fashion and design with an expanded
selection of high value and higher quality products. In
addition to the largest in-stock selection of home furnishings in the
mid valley, our design trained sales advisors can help you custom order
just the right item for your needs from top quality vendors such as
Flexsteel. And, of course you
always get our Guaranteed Low Prices and
other exclusive benefits.