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Built in 1917 by brothers Sam and Ben Gotter, the former Gotter Hotel building is one of the more visually striking buildings in Enterprise. In terms of architecture, it is a good example of the Commercial style and features elegant polychrome brickwork. The architecture and size of the building reflects the town's optimistic attitude in the early 20th century. It was built during a strong period of growth and residents believed that the prosperity would continue. The hotel operated until 1973 (under a different name). Today the building is now affordable housing for residents with mental illness. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 primarily for its architecture.

The former Gotter Hotel was built in 1917 and is known for its distinctive polychrome brickwork.

The former Gotter Hotel was built in 1917 and is known for its distinctive polychrome brickwork.

The Gotter brothers owned the largest amount of land—3,840 acres—in the county when they built the hotel. They grew wheat and also operated a farm machinery business called Gotter & Co, which was the only shop in the area where farmers could get their plows, wagons, and other equipment fixed. The brothers moved the business into the first floor of the hotel building. As noted above, they built the hotel to at the height of the town's prosperity, hoping to take advantage of this growth.

However, the U.S. entry into World War I ended Enterprise's building boom. A number of residents left to go support the war effort (some joined the military and others found jobs in big cities like Seattle and Portland) and prices for building materials became too expensive. Many of those who remained eventually lost their businesses and farms, including the Gotter brothers, who sold the hotel in 1924 and moved to Los Angeles. Despite the effects of the war and later the Great Depression, the hotel continued to operate. It was renamed the Canton Hotel in 1949 and closed in 1973. It is not clear what happened after that but the building was converted to affordable housing in 1995. Then in 2004 it became an assisted-living residence for individuals with mental illness.

Bertram, John. "Gotter Hotel." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. January 21, 1994. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/93001499_text.

"Gotter Hotel Apartments." Chrisman Development Incorporated. Accessed August 21, 2020. http://chrismandm.com/properties/gotter_hotel.html.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Ian Poellet, via Wikimedia Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotter_Hotel#/media/File:Gotter_Hotel_2_-_Enterprise_Oregon.jpg