Arthur Generous Beals built this building and several others in Tillamook around 1900, marking the beginning of the present central business area, which had previously centered around the Hoquarton Slough. The Beals Building served dozens of different businesses through the years. Beals came to Oregon from Pennsylvania at age 18 and reached Tillamook in 1891 by walking over the Track River Road in knee deep snow with just a few dollars in his pocket. He later married Grace L. Allen, brought her and her mother to Tillamook, and Arthur and Grace adopted two children. He lived in Tillamook for 45 years and contributed to its growth and future by buying, improving, and selling farms, owning and developing 12 dairy farms, operating five sawmills, and owning the Tillamook City Electric Light system before selling it to Coast Power Company. He also bred grand champion Holstein cows, was involved in forming the Tillamook County Creamery Association, helped organize the Pioneer Association of Tillamook County that became the beginning of the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, served as a state representative and state senator, sat on the Board of High Curriula, spearheaded an effort to record and honor all those from Tillamook County who served in WWII, and was the major contributor to establishing the Tillamook YMCA, which opened in 1950. He owned 160 acres of land now known as Lake Lytle, later sold as a subdivision, and he and his brother Fred owned most of Pacific City before he later traded his share to Fred. His former home stands on the corner of 3rd and Ocean Place in Tillamook.