The Vale Hotel, opened in 1908, sits at the heart of downtown Vale - dark and empty. (Malheur Enterprise/Les Zaitz)
When the IOOF Building collapsed recently, a lot of eyes turned across the street and wondered about the Vale Hotel. Was it, too, at risk by nature’s onslaught? The community centerpiece has survived so far, but it brings into focus other questions about the fate of this building.
The hotel was built the same time, in 1908, and with the same architect as the IOOF Building. The hotel is now owned by Michael McLaughlin, Vale’s mayor. The Drexel H Foundation, formed 16 years ago, has been taking the lead on restoring the hotel. Progress, though, has been slow and the foundation and the mayor haven’t been very . . .
