Overview

In 1879, the Dekum and Bickel Candy Manufactory was located at 84 1st Street. (See Portland, Oregon, City Directory, 1879, p. 93.)

Building History

Frank Dekum (born 11/05/1829 in Deiderfeld, Germany-d. 10/19/1894 in Portland, OR) and Frederick Bickel (born 05/21/1832 in Hesse, Germany-d. 1929), both German immigrants who met each other in Saint Louis, MO, where they apprenticed as confectioners, traveled West in the 1850s to mine for gold in the States of CA and ID. They landed in Portland, OR, in 1853 and set up a fruit and candy business in the city. They both prospered, and would each eventually become quite wealthy, owning tracts of land in Portland's expanding central business district.

From at least 1866 until 1870, their candy factory stood at 77 1st Street. (See Portland, Oregon Directory, 1866 p. 45 and Portland and East Portland Oregon Directory, 1870, p. 47.) The Portland, Oregon, City Directory, 1877, (p. 84), noted that it stood on 1st between Stark and Oak Streets.

Dekum sold his interest to Bickel during the 1870s, and applied his money to real estate and banking ventures.

Building Notes

In 1870, the Dekum and Bickel Factory also housed a coffee and oyster saloon at 77 1st Street. (See Portland and East Portland Oregon Directory, 1870, p. 115.)

PCAD id: 22273