There’s nothing particularly historic about this photo but it’s a classic mid-century American scene. If these two kids were standing here today, they’d be in their 60s and standing in the Rose Garden/Memorial Coliseum parking lot. Neither Cherry Street, nor Ross Avenue, just a house away to the right, exist today. This home had some nice stained glass and woodworking details to give it a little extra style.
(City of Portland Archives)
At one time N. Larrabee turned into Interstate Avenue as you crossed Broadway heading north; Interstate is routed closer to the river now. You might drive here when leaving the Memorial Coliseum or Rose Garden but the surroundings have changed drastically; only the building under the Rose City/Beaver State sign remains.
(City of Portland Archives)
Spectacular! This 1931 panorama shows the St. Johns Bridge, and the approach road coming from the north, nearing completion. The eastside anchorage seems to still have some scaffolding in place. This great image was sent in by Kai on behalf of a St. Johns resident.
(St. Johns Resident)
Production of Liberty ships in support of the war effort was in full swing during this circa 1943 aerial view of the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards in North Portland, just beyond St. Johns. The outfitting dock at center still remains, as well as a few of the buildings seen here. The shipyards delivered almost 500 Liberty, Victory and Attack Transports during WWII.
(City of Portland Archives)
The Steel Bridge Saloon was at 269 Crosby on the northwest corner of Holladay and Crosby at the east end of the old, original Steel Bridge. This would put it very close to the Interstate/Rose Quarter Max station today. According to a 1921 item in The Oregonian, Mr. Henrich saved $3500 when “yeggmen” failed to breach the inner compartment of his safe in a robbery attempt.
(City of Portland Archives)
This is located just west of the aerial photo featured last week, and probably was taken on the same aerial survey in 1938. This view shows Sullivan’s Gulch passing under Union Avenue when trains were the only traffic up the gulch. But the sketches on this photo may indicate preliminary plans to route auto traffic up there also.
(City of Portland Archives)
The Interstate Bridge, connecting Portland with Vancouver, Washington, was a single span carrying two-way traffic when it opened in 1917. A second bridge was added in 1958 and this original span carries northbound traffic now. The new bridge was built with a humpback profile and this old span was upgraded that way too, so this flat profile no longer exists. This 1917 view, which includes the old ferry, looks south from Vancouver.
(City of Portland Archives)
