Editor's note: Morris and Lynn Walker are working to make "150 Years in the Heart of the Valley," a documentary film about Corvallis' first 150 years. Each Saturday, they share tidbits from Corvallis that they've uncovered during their work. You can contact the Walkers at heartofthevalley@yahoo.com.

The iconic Ball Building in Corvallis was built on the corner of Third Street and Jefferson Avenue in 1922.

Albert Marker, originally a professor of physics at Oregon Agricultural College, obtained his doctor of optometry degree in 1931 and opened his office in the Ball Building in 1932. The first optometry business in Corvallis, it was the forerunner of the Corvallis Vision Center.

A serious fire spread throughout the building in 1939; the building stood, but many historic photos were lost from the famed Ball Studio archives. Despite the blaze, Ball Studios has been continuously serving Corvallis since 1912.

Dr. Roy Clunes joined Marker's optometry practice in 1947 while it was still in the Ball Building. In 1965, another fire burned the Ball Building beyond repair. Today the Corvallis Vision Center is located in the historic Lafferte Building built in 1924 on Third Street next to Evergreen Indian Restaurant.

Today, the Corvallis Vision Center is under the auspices of Dr. Jay Seitz and Dr. Douglas Crotty. But there are stories of Dr. Seitz's patients having strange visual phenomenon occur after a visit to the doctor.

For instance, Dr. Seitz had prescribed new contact lenses to a young man attending Oregon State University a few years ago. Not too long after an office visit, the student was in an accident and wound up unconscious in the hospital. When he woke up, he recognized Dr. Seitz standing above him.

Blinking his eyes and rubbing them, the student said: "Is it my eyes? Are my eyes damaged? Doctor, please tell me."

"No, I think your eyes are all right," Seitz responded.

The young man squinted, blinked again groggily and said, incredulously, "Well, then, why are you here?"

"I'll be helping you with your knees," Seitz replied.

The young man looked completely confused now. He looked toward his knees and up again. "How can an optometrist help my knees?"

"I'm not an optometrist," came the answer.

"Uh, yes you are," the young man replied.

"No, I'm a physical therapist."

Now the young man was really confused: "How come you prescribed my contacts?"

"I didn't!"

The young man squinted again and rubbed his temples, addled and speechless.

Seitz, actually a physical therapist, smiled knowingly, put his hand on the student's shoulder and gently explained. "I have an identical twin brother," said John Seitz. "I presume he is your optometrist."