Friends of Historic Forest Grove place 100th plaque on Tip Top Building

The Tip Top building tipped the group that tacks plaques to historic homes and buildings to top triple digits in total tributes at a recent ceremony in downtown Forest Grove.

In a small gathering on March 15 that included Friends of Historic Forest Grove volunteers, building owner Michael Gann and family, a journalist with offices in the building (disclosure: News in the Grove has an office there), and local artist Jeffrey Hall, the history of the site was read aloud.

It was the 100th such plaque the group has placed since the program launched in the 1990s, Friends of Historic Forest Grove's Melody Haveluck told News in the Grove.

Haveluck helped relaunch the program as co-chair in 2019 after a lull from the original 1990s plaque effort halted the program.

The old Tip Top building in downtown Forest Grove now houses Gann Bros Printing. Built in 1909, the building, located at 2032 Pacific Avenue, has served a number of uses in the past 116 years.

The Friends believe it was completed in early 1909. In the 1910s, it was a restaurant and oyster bar, and after that, the original Forest Grove location for Goff Pharmacy.

But for many, the most recognizable name is the Tip Top, named for the restaurant that occupied the site in the middle of the 20th century.

"Once a humble ice cream shop that eventually morphed into a diner, in business from 1939 to '78, it was really much more than your basic restaurant," said Friends of Historic Forest Grove volunteer Skip Buhler, who did the research on the building in advance of the ceremony.

When the Friends plaque a building, they visit the site, read a prepared history that they've researched, and present the owners with a comprehensive bound book with history, photos, news clips and more from the past.

"It was a Forest Grove landmark, a hub of social activity, and a hangout for teenagers and adults," he said.

A full history as compiled by the Friends can be found inside, where Gann Bros Printing owner Michael Gann will no doubt be happy to let a visitor flip through the book and view his eclectic collection of actively used print machines.

The Friends said Gann Bros prints many of their materials, including their newsletter, and for that reason, chose his building for the 100th plaque. Afterward, they headed to two historic homes in Forest Grove for the 101st and 102nd plaque ceremony.

At plaque number 101, the group placed a plaque on the 1908 Samuel & Hettie Moulton House near 26th Avenue and Douglas Street.

Keisha and Travis Long, who hail from Forest Grove and Gaston, gathered with their family, including Silas, Elsie, Willow and Lila to hear the history of their home and receive a plaque. They've lived there for more than five years.

"We appreciate that a lot of the house is original, and we try and keep those original elements as well," said Keisha Long.

"I've always dreamed of living in an old home. I love antiques, I love old homes," Keisha said.

At plaque number 102, the group handed a book and plaque to Seth Berdahl, a seventh generation Oregonian.

Berdahl owns the 1904 John and Octavia Smith House near 17th Avenue and Cedar Street. The Friends praised his restoration efforts and commitment to preserving the home's historic nature, and after the ceremony, Berdahl threw open the doors to his home to the group, and offered tours inside.

Do you have a historic home? The Friends Group plaques historic buildings that meet certain criteria in the Forest Grove area. Find that information online.

house #1 (incude photos and interview

House #2 (photos and interview)

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