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This compact, six-block area known for its fine examples of late-19C cast-iron architecture marked the southern end of the city's first, waterfront-based commercial core. The district's most historically important structure is the 1858 Northrup, Blossom and Fitch Building (731-737 S.W. Naito Pkwy.), the only commercial building still standing from the period before the Great Fire of 1873. Originally two separate one-story brick buildings, it was joined at the third floor sometime prior to 1894. The Italianate Centennial Block (210-218 S.W. Morrison St.) was completed in 1876 and named for the American Centennial, celebrated that year. Three separate commercial structures built in 1878 at the corner of Southwest Yamhill Street and First Avenue-the Harker Building (728 S.W. 1st Ave.), the Love Building (730-732 S.W. 1st Ave.) and the Van Rensselaer Building (65-73 S.W. Yamhill St.)-form a unified ensemble with identical second-floor windows and cast-iron columns ornamented with cartouches.