Collection is open for research.
Loan from Charles Bruce, January 1995 (Photo Acc. 995L015).
The collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Joe's Bicycle Repair shops, 1912-1926; Series 2. Other bicycle repair shops, 1912-1921; Series 3. Activities and events, 1912-1926; Series 4. Background information file.
Joseph Stephen Brown (1889-1960) was born in Minnesota to German immigrants and came to Portland, Oregon in 1912. He started work as a machinist and bike repairman for F. W. Keenan at 190 Fourth Street (later renamed SW Fourth Avenue). In 1913, he opened his own bicycle and motorcycle repair shop at 274 Taylor St. (later renamed SW Taylor St.), near Fourth. He soon relocated to 266 Taylor St. and eventually expanded into the neighboring lot in order to meet growing demand, focusing solely on bicycle repair and retail sales. Brown married Mary Ellen in 1916, and they had three children: Ellen, Virginia, and Joseph. In 1918, the city fire marshal condemned the building at 266 Taylor St. and Brown moved the shop to 204 Fourth, between Taylor and Salmon streets. In 1921, the repair shop relocated for the final time, to 209 Fourth, and used extra space to sell fishing and sporting goods.
At its height, Brown's repair shop was one of the largest bicycle shops (not just repair shops) on the West Coast. "Joe's Heavy Service" bicycles were especially popular among the bike messengers in the city, because these were built to withstand more weight than the average bicycle. In 1922, Brown patented a leather toe clip for rubber pedals, which protected the foot from slipping during long rides or hill climbing. By 1925, Brown was a generous sponsor and active participant in the Cycle Trades Field Day celebrations, which were sometimes held at Holladay School. The Depression was particularly difficult for Brown, however, and he lost his shop and most of his money in 1930. In 1932, Multnomah County sold the shop to Brown's business partner, Henry Kissler. Until 1937, Brown was listed as a bicycle repairman, operating out of his own home at 3637 SE Rhine St.
This collection consists of copies made from originals loaned to the Historical Society by Charles Bruce in 1995. Originals are assumed to be retained by Bruce.
Joe's Bicycle Repair Shop photographs, Org. Lot 1003, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
This collection includes 56 black and white copy prints of photographic materials depicting five locations of Joe's Bicycle Repair Shop and various cycling activities of Joseph S. Brown in Portland, Oregon, from 1912-1926. Several other photographs depict Brown and others engaged in fishing and camping, as well as riding motorcycles. Brown's daughters, Ellen and Virginia, are also pictured with him during Cycle Trades Field Day celebrations.
The photographs in this collection were copied from an album assembled by Charles Bruce and from loaned negatives. Many of the photographs in the album came from Brown's granddaughter, Shannon Barker.
A background file is also included in the collection, consisting of copies of newspaper and magazine articles, correspondence, Brown's inventions, and other material on Brown and his bicycle business.
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.