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.     The store closed on 12-31-2024 when the owners fully retired.   We thank the many thousands of customers who trusted us with their home furnishings needs over 123 years.