Mill Ends Park sits in the median of SW Naito Parkway near SW Taylor Street, beside Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. It is a circle just two feet across, about 452 square inches, holding a single small tree. The story goes that journalist Dick Fagan, whose Oregon Journal office overlooked the spot, found a weed-choked hole meant for a light pole that never arrived, and planted flowers in it; he named it for his newspaper column, 'Mill Ends.' The Guinness Book recognized it as the world's smallest park in 1971. (Honest note: in February 2025 a park in Nagaizumi, Japan claimed a smaller footprint, so Portland's title is now disputed/second-smallest.) Each St. Patrick's Day the city still fusses over it as if it were a grand civic green.

11.5 mi away

Keep Portland Weird (Borrowed From Austin) RoadyGoat

2003

Painted on the exterior wall of Music Millennium, the oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest at 3158 East Burnside Street, are the three words that became Portland's unofficial motto: "Keep Portland Weird." Store owner Terry Currier brought the slogan to Portland around 2003, adapting it directly from Austin's earlier "Keep Austin Weird," as a campaign urging people to choose independent local businesses over national chains. He trademarked the phrase in 2007 and sold tens of thousands of bumper stickers. He first tried "Keep Portland Unique" and dropped it for not having the right ring. The broader lifestyle meaning came later; it began as a small-business rallying cry. (Sources: Wikipedia; KOIN.)

RoadyGoat → · 11.5 mi away

End of the Oregon Trail: Journey's End at Oregon City

1843

Oregon City was the terminus of the 2,170-mile Oregon Trail, where an estimated 400,000 emigrants arrived after months of overland travel to start new lives in the Willamette Valley.

Portland's Shanghai Tunnels: The Dark Side of the Waterfront

1850

Beneath Portland's Old Town, a network of tunnels connected tavern basements to the waterfront, where legend holds that men were kidnapped and sold as involuntary crew to ship captains — a practice called shanghaiing.

12.0 mi away

Powell's City of Books: The World's Largest Independent Bookstore

1971

Powell's City of Books occupies an entire city block in Portland's Pearl District, housing over a million volumes across 3,500 sections on multiple floors.

12.0 mi away

Voodoo Doughnut and the Rise of 'Keep Portland Weird'

2003

Voodoo Doughnut, opened in 2003 on SW 3rd Avenue, became a symbol of Portland's proudly eccentric culture with creations like the Bacon Maple Bar and the Voodoo Doll doughnut.

11.9 mi away

Fort Vancouver: The Empire on the Columbia

1825

Fort Vancouver was the Hudson's Bay Company's western headquarters from 1825 to 1849, the most important fur trading post in the Pacific Northwest and a magnet for early American settlers.

18.4 mi away

Things to Do in Oregon City

food 11.9 mi away

Voodoo Doughnut

Portland's iconic pink box of weird doughnuts. The Bacon Maple Bar changed breakfast.

Everything Near Oregon City

59 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

End of the Oregon Trail: Journey's End at Oregon City · Historical
Oregon City was the terminus of the 2,170-mile Oregon Trail, where an estimated 400,000 emigrants arrived after months of overland travel to start new lives in the Willamette Valley.
Oregon City Municipal Elevator · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine needing to climb a cliff every day just to get to work! That's what life was like in Oregon City before this unusual landmark. Oregon City is built on two levels, divided by a steep bluff. For years, residents…
Francis Ermatinger House · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine Oregon City bustling with pioneers and fur traders – this very spot holds a piece of that history! The Francis Ermatinger House, built in 1843, is Oregon's third oldest house. Francis Ermatinger, a Chief Trader…
Willamette Falls Locks · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're near the Willamette Falls Locks, a place that once unlocked the upper Willamette River for boat traffic. Imagine this: before roads were reliable, the Willamette River was a major highway. But those powerful…
Capt. John C. Ainsworth House · 2.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This stately home whispers tales of Oregon's river-powered past. Built around 1851, it belonged to Captain John C. Ainsworth, a key figure in the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. He helped build the company into a major…
Oregon Iron Company Furnace · 4.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wondered what fueled Oregon's early industry? Up ahead, you'll find the last standing testament to a groundbreaking enterprise: the Oregon Iron Company Furnace. It’s the oldest industrial landmark in the state!…
Horace Baker Log Cabin · 5.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine life as a pioneer in this spot! This is where Horace Baker built his log cabin around 1856.Horace Baker was an American pioneer who settled in this area of Oregon. He constructed this cabin, a testament to the…
The Concealed Carrier Who Never Fired · 5.8 mi · News Wikipedia
On December 11, 2012, a gunman opened fire in the food court of Clackamas Town Center, killing two Christmas shoppers. Shopper Nick Meli, who was legally carrying a concealed pistol, drew his firearm and took aim — but…
William Barlow House · 9.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're near the heart of Barlow, Oregon, a town named for a man who played a key role in opening up the Oregon Territory. This is the William Barlow House. William was the son of Samuel K. Barlow, the man who…
Bagdad Theatre · 10.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wondered where they rolled out the red carpet for Jack Nicholson and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'? It happened right here, at the Bagdad Theatre. This beautiful theater opened in 1927 in Portland's Hawthorne…
Ladd's Addition · 10.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Notice the unusual street layout? You're approaching Ladd's Addition, a historic district in Portland known for its unique design. William S. Ladd, a prominent Portland businessman, platted this area in 1891. He…
James B. Stephens House · 10.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming house isn't just old, it's the *oldest* house in Portland. It's a survivor from a time when Portland was just finding its feet. James B. Stephens, the original owner, likely built it around 1862, though…

Show all 59 nearby places

USS Blueback (SS-581) · 10.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Want to explore a real Cold War submarine? Here it is! The USS Blueback, a Barbel-class submarine, served the U.S. Navy for over 30 years. Built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the Blueback was commissioned in 1959. She…
Lone Fir Cemetery · 11.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Prepare to meet some of Portland's most influential residents... permanently. Lone Fir Cemetery, established in 1855, is the final resting place for over 25,000 souls. Originally a portion of Stephen Coffin's land…
Aurora Colony · 11.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're driving near what was once a thriving experiment in communal living: the Aurora Colony. In 1856, William Keil, a charismatic preacher, led his followers here from Missouri and Pennsylvania. They aimed to create a…
Portland, OR · 11.4 mi · Wikipedia
The land here was dramatically shaped by colossal ice-age floods, a powerful force that sculpted the terrain. Nestled at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, this Pacific Northwest city benefits from…
Mill Ends Park · 11.5 mi
Mill Ends Park sits in the median of SW Naito Parkway near SW Taylor Street, beside Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. It is a circle just two feet across, about 452 square inches, holding a single small…
Keep Portland Weird (Borrowed From Austin) · 11.5 mi
Painted on the exterior wall of Music Millennium, the oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest at 3158 East Burnside Street, are the three words that became Portland's unofficial motto: "Keep Portland Weird." Store…
Morrison Bridge · 11.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This is the third bridge to stand on this site, a vital artery across the Willamette River. Before the Morrison Bridge you see today, two others stood here, each adapting to Portland's growing needs. The current…
Meier & Frank Building · 11.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Standing tall since 1909, the Meier & Frank Building was once THE place to shop in Portland. For nearly a century, this building housed the flagship Meier & Frank department store. Founded in 1857, Meier & Frank grew to…
Portland (1947 tugboat) · 11.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder about Portland's maritime history? This is a great place to start! The sternwheel steamboat *Portland*, built in 1947, now serves as a floating museum right here on the Willamette. *Portland* was…
Pioneer Courthouse · 11.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This courthouse has seen it all – from Oregon's Wild West beginnings to its modern-day legal battles. The Pioneer Courthouse, started in 1869, is the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest.Imagine a time when…
Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder what Portland looked like back in the day? You're driving right through its original downtown, the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District. Named for the Skidmore Fountain, this area really blossomed in the late…
Charles F. Berg Building · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Take a look at that building! It's a rare example of Art Deco design in Portland for a commercial building. Originally constructed in 1902, it got a major facelift in 1930 when it became home to Charles F. Berg's…
Washington Park and Zoo Railway · 11.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
All aboard for a unique ride through Portland's history! The Washington Park & Zoo Railway isn't just a train ride; it's a scaled-down journey through a landscape shaped by recreation and transportation. Picture this:…
Voodoo Doughnut · 11.9 mi · Things to Do
Portland's iconic pink box of weird doughnuts. The Bacon Maple Bar changed breakfast.
Voodoo Doughnut and the Rise of 'Keep Portland Weird' · 11.9 mi · Historical Marker
Voodoo Doughnut, opened in 2003 on SW 3rd Avenue, became a symbol of Portland's proudly eccentric culture with creations like the Bacon Maple Bar and the Voodoo Doll doughnut.
Benson Hotel · 11.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time at The Benson, a Portland landmark that has hosted presidents and celebrities alike! Simon Benson, a prominent businessman, commissioned the hotel, originally named the New Oregon Hotel. It opened its…
Elks Temple (Portland, Oregon) · 11.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here; this building has seen some things! What’s now the west wing of the Sentinel Hotel was once Portland’s Elks Temple, built in 1923. For decades, it served as a lodge for the Benevolent and Protective…
Wells Fargo Building (Portland, Oregon) · 11.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Check out that building! Its doorstep required the largest slab of granite ever shipped to Portland. Completed in 1907, the Wells Fargo Building was Portland's first true skyscraper. At 12 stories, it stood 182 feet…
Clyde Hotel · 11.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever notice that building? It started as something completely different: The Clyde Hotel. Back in 1912, it opened its doors right here. For decades, it was a well-known hotel. Then, in 1987, it got a new name: The Ben…
Portland's Shanghai Tunnels: The Dark Side of the Waterfront · 12.0 mi · Historical
Beneath Portland's Old Town, a network of tunnels connected tavern basements to the waterfront, where legend holds that men were kidnapped and sold as involuntary crew to ship captains — a practice called shanghaiing.
Powell's City of Books: The World's Largest Independent Bookstore · 12.0 mi · Historical Marker
Powell's City of Books occupies an entire city block in Portland's Pearl District, housing over a million volumes across 3,500 sections on multiple floors.
Crystal Ballroom (Portland, Oregon) · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever danced on a cloud? You practically can at the Crystal Ballroom. Originally called Cotillion Hall, this place was built in 1914 as a proper ballroom. For decades, it was the place to be for dance revivals, even…
Portland, OR · 12.0 mi · Local history
Portland's story is etched in the geography of the Pacific Northwest. The confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers created a natural harbor, a deep-water port that would become the city's lifeblood. Before the…
Crystal Hotel (Portland, Oregon) · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just another hotel; it's a landmark with stories etched into its very walls. Originally named the Hotel Alma, it holds a special place in Portland's history. Built in 1911, the Hotel Alma offered affordable…
Commodore Hotel (Portland, Oregon) · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time to the roaring twenties at the Commodore Hotel, a stunning example of Art Deco architecture right here in Portland. Built in 1925 and designed by Herman Brookman, the Commodore was a popular hotel,…
Merchant Hotel (Portland, Oregon) · 12.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time, because right here stands a silent witness to Portland's wild early days: the Merchant Hotel. Built in 1880, the Merchant Hotel was *the* place to be in Portland's bustling Old Town. Imagine: opulent…
Trinity Place Apartments · 12.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming apartment building almost didn't make it to the 21st century. Built in northwest Portland, the Trinity Place Apartments might look solid, but its unreinforced masonry construction made it incredibly…
Philip Foster Farm · 12.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine trudging along the Oregon Trail for months, weary and worn. The Philip Foster Farm was a beacon of hope for countless pioneers nearing the end of their grueling journey. In 1847, Philip Foster purchased a…
Hazel Hall House · 12.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Right here, near this house, lived a poet whose world was largely confined to its walls. Hazel Hall's home was her universe, and her poetry reflected that unique perspective. Hazel Hall was born in 1886. Due to a…
O. K. Jeffery Aircraft Factory · 12.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Believe it or not, this unassuming building played a small part in World War I aviation! Oliver K. Jeffery, who owned Oregon Home Builders, constructed this building in 1915. Then, in 1917 and 1918, he shifted gears and…
Portland Union Station · 12.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Check out that beautiful building! Portland Union Station has been a vital part of the city's identity and a key transportation hub for over a century. Built in 1896, the station was designed to connect Portland to the…
Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Portland, Oregon) · 12.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're passing the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a building that echoes with cheers, skates, and the spirit of remembrance. Opened in 1960, it was originally called the Memorial Coliseum and dedicated to veterans of all…
Broadway Bridge (Portland, Oregon) · 12.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Get ready to see a piece of Portland history that still holds a world record! The Broadway Bridge, right here, is the longest Rall-type bascule bridge span on the planet. Built in 1913, the Broadway Bridge was…
George Earle Chamberlain House (Portland, Oregon) · 12.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a minute and imagine the bustling political life that once filled this house. This is the George Earle Chamberlain House, home to a man who shaped Oregon's early 1900s political landscape. Frank M. Warren…
Pittock Mansion · 12.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Built in 1914, this French Renaissance-style château was home to a powerful Oregonian publisher. Henry Pittock, born in London, made his mark in Portland as the publisher of *The Oregonian* newspaper. He and his wife,…
Wonder Ballroom · 13.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
From an Ancient Order of Hibernians hall to a popular music venue, the Wonder Ballroom has a history as diverse as the acts it hosts. Originally built in 1914, it first served as the Hibernian Hall for the Ancient Order…
Montgomery Park (Portland, Oregon) · 13.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming office building once housed a mail-order empire! Montgomery Park, originally the Montgomery Ward & Company Building, was the heart of their operations in the Pacific Northwest. In 1920, Montgomery Ward…
Kennedy School · 14.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're passing a place where countless Portland kids learned their ABCs, but it's got a wild second act. This is the Kennedy School, now a McMenamins hotel, but it started as a real elementary school way back when. The…
Louise Home Hospital and Residence Hall · 15.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a sec... this place was once a haven for women facing incredibly difficult circumstances. The Louise Home, built in 1925, was originally a residence and hospital for unwed and pregnant mothers. It also…
Patrol torpedo boat PT-658 · 15.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wondered what it was like to race across the waves, guns blazing, in the Pacific Theater of WWII? Today, we're pulling alongside PT-658, a real World War Two torpedo boat, right here in Portland.This isn't just any…
Multnomah County Poor Farm · 15.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder what happened to those who fell through the cracks? This place offers a glimpse. In 1911, Multnomah County opened this poor farm, a refuge for the area's sick and indigent. It offered housing and care after…
Champoeg, Oregon · 16.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming spot was once the birthplace of Oregon's government. In 1843, American settlers gathered here at Champoeg to decide whether to form their own government. After much debate, a vote was held. The decision…
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site · 16.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine being among the first Americans to see this landscape. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped near the Sandy River as they made their way towards the Pacific Ocean. They explored the area, documenting…
USS LCI(L)-713 · 18.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
That unassuming ship in the Swan Island Lagoon has a remarkable story to tell. It's the USS LCI(L)-713, a landing craft from World War II, and one of the few remaining examples of its kind. Built in 1944, this LCI(L) –…
Fort Vancouver: The Empire on the Columbia · 18.4 mi · Historical Marker
Fort Vancouver was the Hudson's Bay Company's western headquarters from 1825 to 1849, the most important fur trading post in the Pacific Northwest and a magnet for early American settlers.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · 18.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine this spot buzzing with activity, a true hub of the Pacific Northwest in the 1800s! Fort Vancouver was a vital trading post, controlled by the Hudson's Bay Company. It served as the headquarters for the company's…
Historic Washington County Jail (Oregon) · 18.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine being locked up in this one-room log jail, a relic of Oregon's early justice system. This is the Historic Washington County Jail, built way back in 1853. It served as the county's lockup until 1870. We don't…

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Mill Ends Park RoadyGoat