Sixty years ago the Oregon National Guard Armory building occupied a full block in the heart of Portland’s Industrial Northwest district, surrounded by breweries, auto and truck supply and repair businesses, transfer and storage warehouses and other blue-collar industries. Today the building covers only the north half of the block; it’s now a theater and is surrounded by posh condos with restaurants and shops that cater to the Pearl District’s residents and visitors. This view looks northwest at NW 10th at Couch.
(University of Oregon Libraries)
Tags: Gerding Theater, Oregon, Portland, Portland Center Stage
October 15, 2012 at 6:26 am
The old home of Portland Wrestling
October 15, 2012 at 8:02 am
Besides old Portland Wrestling several professional boxing events were held in ” The Armory “. As a 10 year old I met Jack Dempsey here, shook his huge hands and got his autograph ( since lost !!!). He was refereeing wrestling matches at that time, mainly as a publicity gambit.
October 15, 2012 at 8:45 am
What’s that tower in the distance to our left of the armory?
October 15, 2012 at 9:17 am
That tower is on the building Hanna Andersson occupies.
I Never worked in that building, But think its the headframe / hoistworks of their freight elevator.
At the time of this photo, I believe an automotive parts business operated there.
October 15, 2012 at 9:21 am
On second thought, That tower is fairly tall for merely elevator machines, It possibly housed a water reservoir also??
October 15, 2012 at 12:23 pm
N.W. 11th & Davis for those looking @ google maps.
October 15, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Absolutely love this piece of history. Thanks for sharing!
October 15, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I have a print of this picture. Great add to VP!
October 16, 2012 at 12:40 am
As I recall, Henry Wienhard tore down the south half of the building for parking for the beer trucks, and got an architecture award for keeping the remaining half. The bronze plaque was on the 11th Street side, halfway between Couch and Davis. It disappeared with the construction of “The Henry” and the renovation of the Armory as the theater.
October 16, 2012 at 8:01 am
@ Sifton : it’s 10th and Couch. Here’s the view today.
October 16, 2012 at 8:36 am
Hi Doug Klotz – Klotz was my mom’s maiden name…haven’t ever met one that wasn’t related to me – cheers!
October 16, 2012 at 10:07 am
Thx Brian, but what I should have wrote was that is where to find the remaining portion of the building, not actually where the pic was taken.
October 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Used to go there after school at Chapman and watch Pro. wrestlers practice….
October 16, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Here is the tower @10th and Flanders: http://goo.gl/maps/qJJ0X
October 16, 2012 at 11:15 pm
To Jill-O
The blog owner is free to give you my email, and we can discuss.
Doug