Stephens Substation was part of the complex of six buildings that made up the Portland General Electric Company Station “L” Group. Station “L” was donated to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in 1986. Still retained by PGE as an active distribution substation, Stephens Substation stands across SE Water Ave from OMSI’s planetarium.
(Library of Congress)
October 18, 2012 at 6:29 am
I’m going to be on the lookout for this when I next go to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
October 18, 2012 at 9:44 am
What year was this building built? I’m surprised to see it looking so decrepit in 1930. Beautiful windows!
October 18, 2012 at 10:19 am
There was a smaller one in West Union until a year or two ago.
October 18, 2012 at 4:13 pm
It was also the source of Station L Rowing Club’s name. I believe PGE allowed them to use the land for boat storage when they first got started. They’ve moved around over the years, but are once again back near Station L.
October 18, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Today: http://goo.gl/maps/N9sLW
October 18, 2012 at 6:59 pm
I was thinking the same thing, Larisa. I wonder if those windows are still intact, behind the coverings
October 18, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Well, I never would have thought about this being the same building as the one on your link, Ian Fraley. Thank you!
October 18, 2012 at 7:36 pm
That is so sad looking!
Ian, I kind of want to go see if I can tell with a closer look. I hope they didn’t take them out, though from what I know of that kind of construction, getting them out would have been difficult. Easier not to.
October 19, 2012 at 7:07 am
I would not say “decrepit”, Thats just unpainted concrete and showing alot of patches where the concrete did not completely fill into the wooden forms.
Possible its still under construction, Or given its basic industrial purpose was not wanted the expense to be painted.
October 22, 2012 at 4:38 pm
I think it actually looked better in 1930 than it does now.