The Kiggins 1922 Building is situated in downtown Vancouver, Washington at the northwest corner of 9th and Main streets. The building derives significance from its association with locally-influential real estate developer, politician, philanthropist, and civic booster John P. Kiggins, and for being the long-time local outlet of the internationally-prominent F.W. Woolworth chain of “five-and-dime” stores.

John Philip Kiggins (1869-1941), was a real estate developer for this and other buildings, enthusiastic civic booster, and inveterate politician. Kiggins achieved early success in building construction with contracts for housing at Vancouver Barracks and for buildings at the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, and was especially known for constructing and operating vaudeville and movie theatres (USA, Liberty, Castle, and Kiggins). His political career included Mayor of Vancouver for nine terms beginning in 1909, among other leadership roles, such as county commissioner and first chair of the Clark County Planning Commission. 

The C.C. Store occupied the building until mid-1931 when it moved to 715-717 Main Street. In 1932, the internationally-famous F.W. Woolworth Company exercised an option to move in with a 25-year, eight-month lease. During the era when Woolworth occupied the entire building, the south end of the main floor was used for the traditional lunch counter and the rest of the floor for general sales space.  The Vancouver Woolworth’s store closed in 1976.

The historic name being used is Kiggins 1922 building in recognition of the name and date plate on the primary façade. The building evidently was not known by a specific name during its early years.

• Listed in the Clark County Heritage Register in 2018
• Kiggins 1922 Building nomination