Navy blue, small — yet standing strong — the J.L. Elam Bank building in Milton-Freewater is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Carrie and Todd Alexander, owners of Atelier Freewater, decided to move their wine tasting room into this historic building in March due to their longstanding admiration for it and their wish to see downtown Freewater preserved.

That led Todd Alexander to work with a writer to research the history of the building and prepare for a nomination for the National Register.

Additionally, Carrie Alexander said in an email the building is close to their winery, Holocene Wines, and the area is surrounded by “great businesses on North Main (Street), including Saager Shoes and the Walla Walla Cheese Company.”

Since 1906, the J.L. Elam Bank building has stood at 601 N. Main St.

A statement from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said the building has served as law offices, doctor’s offices, a post office, an insurance agency and a restaurant.

Its classical revival style makes it stand out, according to Oregon Parks and Recreation. Some of the significant features include the building’s flat roof, columns and the flat arches above the windows.

The building’s nomination was recommended by Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation at its June meeting and was accepted in August.

During the June meeting, Carrie and Todd Alexander discussed why they thought the building should be placed on the National Register.

In an email, Carrie Alexander said being listed on the Register means honors the history of the building and helps protect its future.

These protections come from an Oregon law that requires local governments to offer “minimal protection” for historic structures, which is left up to local historic districts to create and provide.

Being listed on the National Register also qualifies the building for historic preservation grants and is provides it leniency in meeting certain building code requirements.

The interior has also kept some of its original charm.

Before opening to the public, Carrie and Todd worked to renovate the space. In an email, Carrie Alexander said the space, which was previously a restaurant, already had a full commercial kitchen in place.

“Most of the renovation, interior and exterior, was cosmetic. The Douglas Fir flooring remains as it was (and) we removed a drop ceiling to expose the wood ceiling above it.,” she said.

“The original vault is still in place and even the inspection stickers from the 1920s are still attached to the inner door.”

The Atelier Freewater tasting room is open by appointment or by chance, meaning that the tasting room will happily accommodate you if they have space available.

Typically, appointments can be made Wednesday through Saturday. 

The tasting room offers wines with fruit sourced from Oregon in the Willamette Valley and the rocks district of Milton Freewater. Also, the business makes wine in Chateauneuf du Pape, France.

Some of the wines available include pinot noir and chardonnay. Carrie Alexander said she hopes each customer gets to enjoy the space.

“We also hope that their experience is memorable, and that they feel as though we have welcomed them into our home,” she said in an email.