Former Ford dealership, the "Egyptian Building"

First car dealership in Klamath Falls, Oregon, circa 1920s. Remember when car dealers had cars in a big showroom? It served several purposes over the years, including a sort of disco, but none of these businesses were very successful. It had been vacant for a long time when, in 2007, an unusually severe winter dumped record-breaking snow on the roof. It collapsed, but there were tentative plans to preserve the unusual building pending funds to be raised by the city. The building had become well-known among experts in 1920s Egyptian Revival architecture.

Here is a small album of old photos from the Klamath County Museum: picssr.com/tags/balsiger

Update 5/25/16: This building has been demolished. When the city decided to assess it for restoration, a structural engineering firm discovered that the concrete was too deteriorated to restore. The walls were at risk of crumbling and there was nothing to be done but completely re-build it or demolish it. There was no money for the millions required for the first option. The whole town was very upset about the decision.

AA318 Man made.