3 Buildings in Oregon That Are Unlike Anything Else Around

What comes to mind when you think of the strangest buildings in Oregon? From mind-bending roadside attractions to office buildings that look like they belong in a Wes Anderson movie, the Beaver State has some truly unique destinations, and these are three of our top picks.

1. Pittock Museum, Portland

This "mansion on the hill" is one of Portland's most standout buildings. The former private residence is now a museum in the West Hills, and it's definitely worth exploring.

The Story Behind Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style château built in 1914 as the residence of publisher Henry Pittock and his wife. Construction began in 1909 by San Francisco architect Edward T. Foulkes, and took five years to complete. The 16,000-square-foot mansion was far ahead of its time, featuring luxuries such as a central vacuum system, an elevator, a walk-in refrigerator, and an intercom. The home's east façade is perhaps the most visually striking, with turrets and numerous windows of various shapes and sizes (including three attic windows that resemble eyes).

2. The Oregon Vortex (Gold Hill)

Let's get the obvious out of the way: the Oregon Vortex is, without a doubt, a kitschy tourist attraction, but this roadside oddity on Sardine Creek is part of local lore, first opening in 1930 and remaining in continuous operation ever since. The Vortex is situated on a gravity hill and features optical illusions that, while easily explained, are still fun to experience. It's important to note, however, that the site's owners do not attribute the strange phenomena to physics alone. They acknowledge the scientific basis of gravity hills, but also believe paranormal forces in the area cause visitors' heights to change when standing outside the building.

3. The Portland Building

If you want to feel like you've stepped into a Wes Anderson movie, head to The Portland Building. Perhaps the city's strongest example of postmodern architecture, this 15-story office building was designed by Michael Graves and made waves when it opened in 1982. In fact, it was the first major postmodern office building, and today, it's the workplace of over 1,500 city employees.

Photo Opportunities at Oregon's Weirdest Buildings

All three of the strangest buildings in Oregon are epic photo stops. Snap your picture in front of the Pittock Mansion's unique architecture while taking a guided tour. It goes without saying that the Oregon Vortex makes for some trippy photos with all of its optical illusions. And while having your picture taken in front of an office building might not sound very interesting, The Portland Building is an exception. Pose next to the iconic Portlandia statue out front, with the building's one-of-a-kind façade behind you.

Have you visited any of the strangest buildings in Oregon? Are there any others you'd add to the list?

If you're feeling inspired to discover more unusual destinations in Oregon, like quirky roadside attractions or bizarre museums, try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.