Built 1889
112-118 SW Second Avenue

Architect: Unknown
Cast-Iron Manufacturer: Unknown

Well-known physician Dr. Rodney Glisan was the son-in-law of Captain John Couch and was one of the city’s most highly respected, educated, and traveled citizens. Glisan also constructed a number of buildings in Portland. This building marks the end of the era of cast iron architecture in Portland. The design of the pilasters reflect relative modernity, and lean toward the Arts and Crafts or even Art Nouveau Styles. The main decorative motifs are three climbing tendrils, showing the interest in nature and asymmetry that was being introduced by these styles and noting a departure from the formalized and more classical design of earlier decades.

Photographs by Kevin Costello