Portland’s Billy Webb Elks Lodge is rising from the ashes after devastating fire

Published on: 08/07/2025

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

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Supporters of the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge in North Portland start work on the second phase of restoration. North Portland's Billy Webb Elks Lodge has survived neighborhood gentrification and a 2021 fire with the community's support. Louis McLemore, who serves as the Lodge Exalted Ruler of the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge says the building is interwoven into the community, offering support and celebrations, from Deborah Roache, who serves as Daughter Ruler of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge, is proud of the progress made for the first phase of the restoration. Supporters of the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge in North Portland start work on the second phase of restoration. Gary Suttenberg joined the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge in 2008, attracted to the community events and vintage jazz music in the Rowe compact disc jukebox, which is in need of repair. Progress on the Billy Webb Elks Lodge includes a new roof. Trusses, new and original, in the ballroom will remain exposed as they were when the building was a YWCA and the ballroom was a basketball court. Helping to raise funds for the restoration of North Portland's historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge through membership, donations and volunteered professional services are Lodge Exalted Ruler Louis McLemore, Daughter Ruler Deborah Roache and member Gary Suttenberg. The Billy Webb Elks Lodge at 6 N. Tillamook St. in Portland is being restored. The Billy Webb Elks Lodge at the intersection of Tillamook Street and Williams Avenue suffered a catastrophic fire on September 11, 2021. A fundraising effort is underway to help restore the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge in North Portland after a fire left extensive damage to the building’s roof, rafters, walls and floor. This 2021 photo shows damage caused by a fire at the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge in North Portland. A new roof and cedar siding have replaced parts of the historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge damaged in a 2021 fire (as seen in this 2021 photo). This May 2024 photo shows the kickoff of phase 1 of the restoration. In this June 2024 of the restoration shows work being performed by Clatsop College students. This July 2024 photo shows phase 1 of the restoration.

The Billy Webb Elks Lodge, the 99-year-old social cornerstone of Portland’s Black community, has completed critical structural repairs following a destructive 2021 fire.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2025/08/portlands-billy-webb-elks-lodge-is-rising-from-the-ashes-after-devastating-fire.html

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