Portlandia in Pictures: St. Johns Bridge and Cathedral Park

One of the coolest spots in Portlandia is also one that is not often visited by tourists, or even by residents of the city. Located a few miles downstream from downtown Portland, the St. Johns Bridge is arguably the most beautiful of Portlandia’s bridges. The only suspension bridge in the city, its inherent gracefulness is enhanced its by detailed gothic towers and the backdrop of Forest Park. As a bonus, the area underneath the east side of the bridge is far from the dark, grimy industrial scene you would expect. Instead, the huge concrete support columns retain the gothic detail of the towers, creating a series of monumental archways that gave name to Cathedral Park. Large expanses of sloping grass, paved pathways and a small concert space make it a surprisingly nice place to spend a day under a bridge.

The bridge was built in 1930-31 to connect the growing industrial area on the west bank of the Willamette River to the St. Johns neighborhood on the east. At the time, it was somewhat controversial given its distance from downtown, but eventually proponents for the bridge won out. The two towers rise 408 feet into the air, making it the tallest bridge in Portland (although the deck of the Fremont Bridge is higher). Below the bridge, several support columns rise over 200 feet, making the bridge feel particularly monumental from ground level.

Well worth the drive from downtown, St. Johns Bridge is a must-visit for bridge geeks (like myself). While not as impressively huge as the Golden Gate, it is still a very impressive bridge, and the ability to get up close makes it seem even larger. Pack a picnic basket and make a day of it.