Author Archives: Mike

Portland Then and Now: Downtown Waterfront

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Mike

Before the construction of the harbor wall along the west side of Portland’s waterfront, the river’s edge was mix of wharves and industrial buildings that once bustled with activity. By the 1920s, however, the waterfront had become less of a … Continue reading →

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A Walk in Reed Canyon

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Mike

A lot of Portlanders think of Reed College as a closed campus, or at least a campus they’d rather avoid. That is unfortunate, because hidden on the campus is a Portland treasure, Reed Canyon. An excellent example of an urban … Continue reading →

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Portland Then and Now: The Thompson Elk Fountain

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Mike

For our first “Then and Now” post, we have a true Portland icon: The Thompson Elk Fountain. The fountain was presented to the city in 1900 by former mayor David P. Thompson, and features a bronze statue of an elk … Continue reading →

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Disappearing History: Sellwood’s Golf Junction

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Mike

In a sleepy corner of Sellwood, nestled against the city limits and the Waverly Golf Club, is a disappearing part of Portland’s extensive history of rail transportation. The non-descript entrance to the hidden Garthwick neighborhood and the extant buildings don’t … Continue reading →

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Portlandia in Pictures: The Former Berry Botanic Garden

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Mike

The Berry Botanic Garden began life as the property of Rae and Alfred Berry, with Rae, an avid plant collector, being the driving force behind the creation of the garden. They chose the property due to its diverse habitats (including … Continue reading →

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Portlandia in Pictures: Elk Rock Garden of the Bishop’s Close

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Mike

In addition to having one of the coolest names of any garden anywhere, the Elk Rock Garden of the Bishop’s Close is also one of the quietest, least-visited gardens in the city. Located at the dead-end of Military Road in … Continue reading →

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Where is the highest point in Portland?

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mike

A question often asked by visitors and newcomers to the city is “where is the highest point in Portland?”. It isn’t obvious where the highest point is, even if you’ve lived here for years. While Mt. Tabor and Rocky Butte … Continue reading →

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Five Historic Portland Neighborhoods Nearly Destroyed By Highway Projects

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Mike

The rise of the automobile as the most common form of transportation after World War II made building highways a top post-war priority. As cities were connected by larger highways with higher capacities, and the suburbs blossomed on the edges … Continue reading →

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The Rise of the Apartment: Kerns

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Mike

For many, growing up in 20th-century America meant that the “American Dream” centered around home ownership. The ultimate goal of any true red-blooded American born prior to about 1970 is a big house with a manicured front lawn. This idea … Continue reading →

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The Most Ridiculous Intersection in Portland

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Mike

Residents of Portlandia have an unending debate about the worst streets, onramps and intersections in the city. One of the challenges of living in a town that values history is that the quirky nature of early road building efforts don’t … Continue reading →

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