Originally designed as an office building, it was constructed by local Chinese businessmen Moy Back Yin and Goon Dip.

With the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition expected to draw massive crowds in 1905, the Wright-Dickinson Company, based in Washington state, leased the structure during construction and completed it as a hotel, which opened early that year.

[8] With the city's population booming, Wright-Dickinson partnered in 1911 with local businessman Simon Benson to construct a modern tower wing addition to the Hotel Oregon on the northern half of the block.

[6] The new wing opened on March 4, 1913, timed to coincide with the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson.

The adjoining Hotel Oregon closed in 1924, due to the economic effects of prohibition in the United States, but reopened in 1932, still operated by Wright-Dickinson.