Portland, Oregon

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

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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:…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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) –…

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!…

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.

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…

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…

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…

Imagine life on a bustling island farm in the 1850s—that's the story of the Bybee-Howell House. Originally built around 1856 by James Bybee, the farm later became home to the Howell family. They cultivated the land for…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

You're near the Old Scotch Church, a silent witness to the early days of Oregon's settlement. It's more than just a building; it's a tangible link to the pioneers who shaped this land. In 1873, the Tualatin Plains…

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…

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…

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…