From a strip of land that cost just 25 cents to one of the nations most important cities, see vintage Portland in all its glory.
Source: Human and Natural
These days, Oregon’s most populous city is best known for its oddball residents, abundance of craft breweries, fiercely liberal agenda and, of course, Portlandia. Yet in 1843, Portland was little more than a chunk of land claimed by William Overton and Asa Lovejoy for just a 25-cent filing fee. Two years later, a coin toss decided that the city would be called “Portland” instead of “Boston,” and the rest is history.
Following the toss, a number of events would help form one of America’s coolest cities. In 1879, Portland’s first telephone lines were installed. Almost fifty years later in 1912, the city’s first rose garden was established, giving the Portland its official nickname: the Rose City.
The Portland Harbor circa 1905. Source: Offbeat Oregon
In the 1940s, both the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and World War II brought about much change. Congress created the BPA to market and transmit power from Portland’s Bonneville Dam, which lies on the border between Oregon and Washington. The city was given 2 billion dollars to fund the project, creating a massive amount of jobs. Coupled with the increased demand for war goods, Portland quickly swelled to an economically robust U.S. city with limitless opportunity.
Source: Offbeat Oregon
Portland also welcomed rapid growth in the late 20th century following the dot-com boom. While the city boasted a number of tech jobs—along with positions at big-name companies like Nike and Adidas—it offered a cheaper cost of living, lush landscapes and urban growth boundaries. People were hooked. Now, Portland is a major international port, with more than 600,000 people calling the city home. But before it became a beer-and-barista heaven, vintage Portland looked like this:
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1 of 27Source: Offbeat Oregon 2 of 27Portland just two years after it was officially incorporated as a city. 3 of 27Mt. Hood peeks from behind this panoramic shot of Portland in 1890. Source: Source: Wikipedia 4 of 27A glimpse at Portland’s Rose Festival parade from 1908. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 5 of 27In 1910, the Beebe Co. operated in the same block as the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Source: Vintage Portland 6 of 27Portland’s Interstate Bridge was built in 1917, finally allowing residents to travel easily to Vancouver, Washington. Source: Wikipedia 7 of 27Willamette Iron and Steel Works was founded in Portland back in 1865. Source: Wikipedia 8 of 27In the 1930s, construction on Portland’s St. John’s bridge was in full swing. Source: Julia Lanning 9 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 10 of 27Looking down, into the heart of the city. Source: Vintage Portland 11 of 27Portland’s Farmer’s Market back in 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 12 of 27Portland’s second airport, the Portland-Columbia Airport, was built on the same location as today’s Portland International Airport. Source: Vintage Portland 13 of 27Burnside Bridge in 1940. Source: Vintage Portland 14 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 15 of 27The Puritan Tea Room, circa 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 16 of 27A streetcar on Burnside Street in the 1940s. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 17 of 27A 1950 air-raid drill at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Source: Oregon History Project 18 of 27A new American LaFrance fire engine sits parked in front of the fire station in 1950. Source: Vintage Portland 19 of 27Pigeon Hole Parking back in the 1950s. Source: Classic Cars Today Online 20 of 27Though the First Baptist Church has since been demolished, in the 1960s it underwent major renovations. Source: Source: Portland Press Herald/ 21 of 27Portland in 1962. Source: Hemmings Daily 22 of 27An aerial view of Portland from 1964. Source: Museum of the City 23 of 27Downtown in 1966. Source: Cool Old Photos 24 of 27An image from the 1972 pro-McGovern rally. Source: Lost Oregon 25 of 27Shot by David Falconer, this image shows dimly lit city lights—the result of energy shortages in 1973. Source: Hemmings Daily 26 of 27Source: Human and Natural 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time View Gallery
Wondering what Portland looks like now? Follow The Expeditioner through the area in this short vlog:
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Vintage Las Vegas: From Humble City To Desert Metropolis
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1 of 27Source: Offbeat Oregon 2 of 27Portland just two years after it was officially incorporated as a city. 3 of 27Mt. Hood peeks from behind this panoramic shot of Portland in 1890. Source: Source: Wikipedia 4 of 27A glimpse at Portland’s Rose Festival parade from 1908. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 5 of 27In 1910, the Beebe Co. operated in the same block as the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Source: Vintage Portland 6 of 27Portland’s Interstate Bridge was built in 1917, finally allowing residents to travel easily to Vancouver, Washington. Source: Wikipedia 7 of 27Willamette Iron and Steel Works was founded in Portland back in 1865. Source: Wikipedia 8 of 27In the 1930s, construction on Portland’s St. John’s bridge was in full swing. Source: Julia Lanning 9 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 10 of 27Looking down, into the heart of the city. Source: Vintage Portland 11 of 27Portland’s Farmer’s Market back in 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 12 of 27Portland’s second airport, the Portland-Columbia Airport, was built on the same location as today’s Portland International Airport. Source: Vintage Portland 13 of 27Burnside Bridge in 1940. Source: Vintage Portland 14 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 15 of 27The Puritan Tea Room, circa 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 16 of 27A streetcar on Burnside Street in the 1940s. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 17 of 27A 1950 air-raid drill at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Source: Oregon History Project 18 of 27A new American LaFrance fire engine sits parked in front of the fire station in 1950. Source: Vintage Portland 19 of 27Pigeon Hole Parking back in the 1950s. Source: Classic Cars Today Online 20 of 27Though the First Baptist Church has since been demolished, in the 1960s it underwent major renovations. Source: Source: Portland Press Herald/ 21 of 27Portland in 1962. Source: Hemmings Daily 22 of 27An aerial view of Portland from 1964. Source: Museum of the City 23 of 27Downtown in 1966. Source: Cool Old Photos 24 of 27An image from the 1972 pro-McGovern rally. Source: Lost Oregon 25 of 27Shot by David Falconer, this image shows dimly lit city lights—the result of energy shortages in 1973. Source: Hemmings Daily 26 of 27Source: Human and Natural 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Vintage Las Vegas: From Humble City To Desert Metropolis
27 Bizarre Vintage Photos From The Annals Of New York City History
The Haunted History Of Pittock Mansion, The Oregon Estate Of Newspaper Tycoon Henry Pittock
1 of 27Source: Offbeat Oregon 2 of 27Portland just two years after it was officially incorporated as a city. 3 of 27Mt. Hood peeks from behind this panoramic shot of Portland in 1890. Source: Source: Wikipedia 4 of 27A glimpse at Portland’s Rose Festival parade from 1908. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 5 of 27In 1910, the Beebe Co. operated in the same block as the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Source: Vintage Portland 6 of 27Portland’s Interstate Bridge was built in 1917, finally allowing residents to travel easily to Vancouver, Washington. Source: Wikipedia 7 of 27Willamette Iron and Steel Works was founded in Portland back in 1865. Source: Wikipedia 8 of 27In the 1930s, construction on Portland’s St. John’s bridge was in full swing. Source: Julia Lanning 9 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 10 of 27Looking down, into the heart of the city. Source: Vintage Portland 11 of 27Portland’s Farmer’s Market back in 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 12 of 27Portland’s second airport, the Portland-Columbia Airport, was built on the same location as today’s Portland International Airport. Source: Vintage Portland 13 of 27Burnside Bridge in 1940. Source: Vintage Portland 14 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 15 of 27The Puritan Tea Room, circa 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 16 of 27A streetcar on Burnside Street in the 1940s. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 17 of 27A 1950 air-raid drill at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Source: Oregon History Project 18 of 27A new American LaFrance fire engine sits parked in front of the fire station in 1950. Source: Vintage Portland 19 of 27Pigeon Hole Parking back in the 1950s. Source: Classic Cars Today Online 20 of 27Though the First Baptist Church has since been demolished, in the 1960s it underwent major renovations. Source: Source: Portland Press Herald/ 21 of 27Portland in 1962. Source: Hemmings Daily 22 of 27An aerial view of Portland from 1964. Source: Museum of the City 23 of 27Downtown in 1966. Source: Cool Old Photos 24 of 27An image from the 1972 pro-McGovern rally. Source: Lost Oregon 25 of 27Shot by David Falconer, this image shows dimly lit city lights—the result of energy shortages in 1973. Source: Hemmings Daily 26 of 27Source: Human and Natural 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Vintage Las Vegas: From Humble City To Desert Metropolis
27 Bizarre Vintage Photos From The Annals Of New York City History
The Haunted History Of Pittock Mansion, The Oregon Estate Of Newspaper Tycoon Henry Pittock
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1 of 27Source: Offbeat Oregon 2 of 27Portland just two years after it was officially incorporated as a city. 3 of 27Mt. Hood peeks from behind this panoramic shot of Portland in 1890. Source: Source: Wikipedia 4 of 27A glimpse at Portland’s Rose Festival parade from 1908. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 5 of 27In 1910, the Beebe Co. operated in the same block as the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Source: Vintage Portland 6 of 27Portland’s Interstate Bridge was built in 1917, finally allowing residents to travel easily to Vancouver, Washington. Source: Wikipedia 7 of 27Willamette Iron and Steel Works was founded in Portland back in 1865. Source: Wikipedia 8 of 27In the 1930s, construction on Portland’s St. John’s bridge was in full swing. Source: Julia Lanning 9 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 10 of 27Looking down, into the heart of the city. Source: Vintage Portland 11 of 27Portland’s Farmer’s Market back in 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 12 of 27Portland’s second airport, the Portland-Columbia Airport, was built on the same location as today’s Portland International Airport. Source: Vintage Portland 13 of 27Burnside Bridge in 1940. Source: Vintage Portland 14 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor 15 of 27The Puritan Tea Room, circa 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald 16 of 27A streetcar on Burnside Street in the 1940s. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia 17 of 27A 1950 air-raid drill at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Source: Oregon History Project 18 of 27A new American LaFrance fire engine sits parked in front of the fire station in 1950. Source: Vintage Portland 19 of 27Pigeon Hole Parking back in the 1950s. Source: Classic Cars Today Online 20 of 27Though the First Baptist Church has since been demolished, in the 1960s it underwent major renovations. Source: Source: Portland Press Herald/ 21 of 27Portland in 1962. Source: Hemmings Daily 22 of 27An aerial view of Portland from 1964. Source: Museum of the City 23 of 27Downtown in 1966. Source: Cool Old Photos 24 of 27An image from the 1972 pro-McGovern rally. Source: Lost Oregon 25 of 27Shot by David Falconer, this image shows dimly lit city lights—the result of energy shortages in 1973. Source: Hemmings Daily 26 of 27Source: Human and Natural 27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 27Source: Offbeat Oregon
2 of 27Portland just two years after it was officially incorporated as a city.
3 of 27Mt. Hood peeks from behind this panoramic shot of Portland in 1890. Source: Source: Wikipedia
4 of 27A glimpse at Portland’s Rose Festival parade from 1908. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia
5 of 27In 1910, the Beebe Co. operated in the same block as the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. Source: Vintage Portland
6 of 27Portland’s Interstate Bridge was built in 1917, finally allowing residents to travel easily to Vancouver, Washington. Source: Wikipedia
7 of 27Willamette Iron and Steel Works was founded in Portland back in 1865. Source: Wikipedia
8 of 27In the 1930s, construction on Portland’s St. John’s bridge was in full swing. Source: Julia Lanning
9 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor
10 of 27Looking down, into the heart of the city. Source: Vintage Portland
11 of 27Portland’s Farmer’s Market back in 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald
12 of 27Portland’s second airport, the Portland-Columbia Airport, was built on the same location as today’s Portland International Airport. Source: Vintage Portland
13 of 27Burnside Bridge in 1940. Source: Vintage Portland
14 of 27Portland has been a bustling city for more than a century. Source: The Old Motor
15 of 27The Puritan Tea Room, circa 1940. Source: Portland Press Herald
16 of 27A streetcar on Burnside Street in the 1940s. Source: Oregon Encyclopedia
17 of 27A 1950 air-raid drill at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Source: Oregon History Project
18 of 27A new American LaFrance fire engine sits parked in front of the fire station in 1950. Source: Vintage Portland
19 of 27Pigeon Hole Parking back in the 1950s. Source: Classic Cars Today Online
20 of 27Though the First Baptist Church has since been demolished, in the 1960s it underwent major renovations. Source: Source: Portland Press Herald/
21 of 27Portland in 1962. Source: Hemmings Daily
22 of 27An aerial view of Portland from 1964. Source: Museum of the City
23 of 27Downtown in 1966. Source: Cool Old Photos
24 of 27An image from the 1972 pro-McGovern rally. Source: Lost Oregon
25 of 27Shot by David Falconer, this image shows dimly lit city lights—the result of energy shortages in 1973. Source: Hemmings Daily
26 of 27Source: Human and Natural
27 of 27Like this gallery?Share it:
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Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time View Gallery
Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time View Gallery
Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time View Gallery
Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time View Gallery
Vintage Portland: The City Of Roses Over Time
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