Magnoni's is among the Manuels' several properties sold to a Walla Walla, Wash., development company.

The sale of the Main Street property in Joseph owned by artist Dave and Lee Manuel became final last week. The Manuel Museum, the Magnoni’s building, the Carriage House finishing art foundry and additional lots have all been sold to Eastern Oregon Land Development, LLC, which is based in Walla Walla, Wash.

As the result of the sale, a public hearing on a conditional permit use application from Jeff Harmon of Joseph Bronze foundry was withdrawn Tuesday from the Joseph City Council’s meeting agenda that night.

“Obviously I don’t need a conditional use if I’m not buying the property,” Harmon said.

The sale was facilitated by realtor Patty Glaze of Valley Realty in La Grande, who said that the new owners are Parley Pearce and Blair Woodfield, long-time business partners who own a considerable amount of commercial property in Eastern Oregon and Washington.

“They have been friends and acquaintances of Dave and Lee and purchased the property so the Manuels could go forward with their plans at Hot Lake,” said Glaze. “The properties are all staying on the market.”

However she modified that statement by saying that a 10-acre view building site above Wallowa Lake, which was part of the purchase, has been sold to another party.

Artist Dave Manuel, originally from the Walla Walla, Wash., moved to Wallowa County in the late 1970s and in 1981 opened his first museum/studio, the Nez Perce Crossing, next to the Wallowa County Museum.

In 1992 the Manuels moved the log building down Main St. to its present location, expanded it and re-named it Manuel Museum. Eventually the couple purchased the log structure across Main St., the former home of Community Bank, and opened a restaurant, Magnoni’s. They also purchased property to the north of their museum and opened a finishing foundry.

Through the years the couple had a number of run-ins with the city of Joseph about such zoning issues as parking and failure to get needed permits for all their activities.

In late 2003 the couple announced their plans to transfer their energies to the restoration and development of the Hot Lake Resort near Union. At that time they listed for sale all the property they own in Joseph.

Glaze said that the museum and Carriage House continue to be used by the Manuels for now. The Maneuls’ personal residence on East St. in Joseph, which has been operated as a bed and breakfast, was not part of the sale.