Vancouver, Washington

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…

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, 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…

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.

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 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…

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…

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 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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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:…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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!…

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…

Ever wonder where Bella and Edward danced the night away at prom? It's right here at View Point Inn!This historic inn in Corbett, Oregon, landed a cameo in the first Twilight movie back in 2008, featuring in the prom…

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.

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…

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 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…