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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW A continuing vision ... Roseburg man awarded France's top honor for role in stopping train attack ... Fires won't burn out Southern Oregon hunting season ... A continuing vision ... Roseburg man awarded France's top honor for role in stopping train attack ... Fires won't burn out Southern Oregon hunting season ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: 1983 building collapse affected three businesses Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News My wife and I recall a building collapse that took place in downtown Medford in the 1980s, but we can't remember the details or the exact date it happened. We think it just collapsed on its own one evening, with no obvious reason.  Can you tell us which building it was, and what happened? — David and Karla, Medford   You may be a little hazy on the details, but after 32 years, your memory is still serving you well. The date you're looking for is Friday, July 15, 1983, when the building near Bartlett and Main in the 300 block of East Main Street housing Shoes Emporium collapsed, and affected two other businesses. It was approximately 9:20 p.m. at the location where AmericanWest Bank now stands. "All of a sudden, it was like a bomb hit. It felt like everything was moving under my feet," neighbor Harold Hulse told the Mail Tribune following the collapse. Hulse lived in an apartment above the building housing Arty Shirts and Grandma's Christmas Corner at the time, and said he was just about to switch television programs when the collapse occurred. "When I went to the back door, there was nothing but a cloud of white smoke and dust." It was after hours, and there were no injuries, but it was quite unexpected. The collapse started when a truss failed in the roof over Shoes Emporium, and fell completely. Inspectors a week after the collapse said the cause was a a tension failure in a bottom roof truss chord.  "Once it gave way, it was like dominoes," Medford Fire Marshall Jerry Orndorf was quoted as saying in the July 18, 1983, Mail Tribune. Debris from the collapse affected adjacent stores Medford Floors & Interior and the Basket Case. Archives show that the Duell family, who owned the collapsed building, was thoroughly insured with a policy of $500,000 at the time. Archives show that some of the affected stores made arrangements in the immediate aftermath of the collapse. Specifically, Shoes Emporium quickly set up shop in the old Montgomery Ward's building in the 100 block of Central Avenue. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501