Of course, the “Wentworth & Irwin” building is better known today as Powells Books.
On the NE corner of the intersection was KISN radio. ONe of their tag lines was “Welcome home we’ve been KISN your wife”.
When we went cruising on a weekend night, we’d go by KISN because the DJ operated in a glass booth right on the corner for everyone to see.
Smokestack of the brewery up on 12th?
The efiles copy says: “Wentworth & Irwin Used Cars, Vaughan Brothers Upholstery and Henry Weinhards Brewery visible in photograph.”
Each of these businesses (or those that took over the originals) is present on the web:
“Older Portland, Oregon residents may recognize the name Wentworth & Irwin as being that city’s American Motors dealership which was located at 1005 W. Burnside from 1941 to 1987. The firm’s involvement in motor sales dated to 1912 … For many years were one of the northwest’s largest manufacturers of logging trailers. All signs of the firm are gone save for the former Nash-AMC building at the corner of 10th and Burnside that’s currently the home of Powells Books.”
— http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/wentworth_irwin/wentworth_irwin.htm
“Located in the heart of Portland Oregon for over 80 years, Vaughan Brothers started out as an auto top and upholstery manufacturing company in 1929. It was owned and operated by Frank Vaughan Sr., who soon partnered with his brother Don Vaughan at the end of WWII, and they relocated from NW Portland (where 405 now runs) to 10th and Burnside across the street from Powell’s book’s current location.”
— https://www.vaughansfabricandsupply.com/ABUS.html
“In 1862, Henry Weinhard moved to Portland, Oregon and purchased an old brewery on the corner of NW First and Davis, before moving in 1864 to a facility occupying two full blocks at NW 12th and Burnside.”
— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Weinhard%27s
I think that’s the smokestack of the old Blitz-Weinhard Brewery. And, yes, it was a teenage thrill to cruise by and see the KISN DJ through the window!
Bookmobile sales were booming back in the day
What the guy in the Ford Econoline was listening to:
The car parked in the Wentworth & Irwin bay looks like a 1967 Rambler (AMC) Ambassador DPL that is waiting for pick up.
The nearest car facing the camera is a 1956 Buick (Roadmaster, Riviera, Special?).
The van at the right heading up Burnside is a (1960-63?) Ford Econoline van.
The car in front at the light in the background is a 1965 Chevrolet of some kind (Impala, Bel Air?)
The first year of the new body style from AMC. My dad had one.
Vaughn Bros! Best shop in town to do convertible top replacments. Did our ’56 Olds Starfire. First class work.
Burnside was auto row. Wentworth became Wentworth Chevy on several blocks in the Central Eastside. Greg and Bob Wentworth ran the business. Subaru was later added to their dealership. When Greg passed a few years ago Bob took over the business.
And in his best radio voice it was “William R. Hatch here for KISN radio news”.
Whitey Coker KISN news.
I can almost smell the malt cooking at Blitz-Weinhard.
Pat Patee ?
The statute of limitations has likely expired so I can tell you that the KISN boys were PARTY people. And far, far beyond even our parachute club norms, which is really saying something.
Chris Slama: I appreciate you posting the KISN broadcast sample. I didn’t grow up here but it sounds similar to stations I once listened to, elsewhere. DJ in a glass studio visible from Burnside…interesting.
EVERYTHING WAS SO SIMPLE BACK THEN NO STUPID BOXY GLASS BUILDINGS WITH BRACING ON THE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING NO UGLY TENT TOWNS ALL OVER AND SHOOTING UP COCAINE ! MUCH SAFER TOO YOU COULD WALK
AT NIGHT A NOT HAVE TO LOOK BEHIND YOU EVER 5 SECONDS
My girlfriend and I used to go down to Burnside and hang out in front of the KISN radio radio window in 8th grade. I had forgotten all about that.
Chris Slama, thanks for the KISN Good Guys radio sample. Wow, That really took me back!
The only DJ name I remember from back then was Mort Crowley-not sure of the spelling. I got my call to go to Vietnam in September of 1966 and a friend of mine called KISN and had them send me a large tape recorder reel of KISN news and music that I played for my platoon and listened to several times a week during the year I was there. I remember my old bosses Hal Hulbert and Stan Prouty sent me 12 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies while I was away for my platoon as well.
“I can almost smell the malt cooking at Blitz-Weinhard.”
That is the smell I most associate with downtown Portland from Broadway to the library and over to Burnside. I spent a lot of my teens at the library and in the sheet music shop on 10th.
Are there any images of the British Motor Car dealer on Burnside? I believe the dealership would have been on the south side, just a block or two east of this photo.
My father worked across Burnside then, at Studio 1030, home of about two dozen commercial artists.
Like Donna, I spent a lot of my teen years at the Library and Wiscarson Music on 10th avenue. I used to peruse the used records at Django at 11th and Stark and buy snacks and drinks at Georgia’s grocery. I really miss the smell of the brewery!
Vintage Portland 
Of course, the “Wentworth & Irwin” building is better known today as Powells Books.
On the NE corner of the intersection was KISN radio. ONe of their tag lines was “Welcome home we’ve been KISN your wife”.
When we went cruising on a weekend night, we’d go by KISN because the DJ operated in a glass booth right on the corner for everyone to see.
Smokestack of the brewery up on 12th?
The efiles copy says: “Wentworth & Irwin Used Cars, Vaughan Brothers Upholstery and Henry Weinhards Brewery visible in photograph.”
Each of these businesses (or those that took over the originals) is present on the web:
“Older Portland, Oregon residents may recognize the name Wentworth & Irwin as being that city’s American Motors dealership which was located at 1005 W. Burnside from 1941 to 1987. The firm’s involvement in motor sales dated to 1912 … For many years were one of the northwest’s largest manufacturers of logging trailers. All signs of the firm are gone save for the former Nash-AMC building at the corner of 10th and Burnside that’s currently the home of Powells Books.”
— http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/w/wentworth_irwin/wentworth_irwin.htm
“Located in the heart of Portland Oregon for over 80 years, Vaughan Brothers started out as an auto top and upholstery manufacturing company in 1929. It was owned and operated by Frank Vaughan Sr., who soon partnered with his brother Don Vaughan at the end of WWII, and they relocated from NW Portland (where 405 now runs) to 10th and Burnside across the street from Powell’s book’s current location.”
— https://www.vaughansfabricandsupply.com/ABUS.html
“In 1862, Henry Weinhard moved to Portland, Oregon and purchased an old brewery on the corner of NW First and Davis, before moving in 1864 to a facility occupying two full blocks at NW 12th and Burnside.”
— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Weinhard%27s
I think that’s the smokestack of the old Blitz-Weinhard Brewery. And, yes, it was a teenage thrill to cruise by and see the KISN DJ through the window!
Bookmobile sales were booming back in the day
What the guy in the Ford Econoline was listening to:
The car parked in the Wentworth & Irwin bay looks like a 1967 Rambler (AMC) Ambassador DPL that is waiting for pick up.
The nearest car facing the camera is a 1956 Buick (Roadmaster, Riviera, Special?).
The van at the right heading up Burnside is a (1960-63?) Ford Econoline van.
The car in front at the light in the background is a 1965 Chevrolet of some kind (Impala, Bel Air?)
The first year of the new body style from AMC. My dad had one.
Vaughn Bros! Best shop in town to do convertible top replacments. Did our ’56 Olds Starfire. First class work.
Burnside was auto row. Wentworth became Wentworth Chevy on several blocks in the Central Eastside. Greg and Bob Wentworth ran the business. Subaru was later added to their dealership. When Greg passed a few years ago Bob took over the business.
And in his best radio voice it was “William R. Hatch here for KISN radio news”.
Whitey Coker KISN news.
I can almost smell the malt cooking at Blitz-Weinhard.
Pat Patee ?
The statute of limitations has likely expired so I can tell you that the KISN boys were PARTY people. And far, far beyond even our parachute club norms, which is really saying something.
Chris Slama: I appreciate you posting the KISN broadcast sample. I didn’t grow up here but it sounds similar to stations I once listened to, elsewhere. DJ in a glass studio visible from Burnside…interesting.
EVERYTHING WAS SO SIMPLE BACK THEN NO STUPID BOXY GLASS BUILDINGS WITH BRACING ON THE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING NO UGLY TENT TOWNS ALL OVER AND SHOOTING UP COCAINE ! MUCH SAFER TOO YOU COULD WALK
AT NIGHT A NOT HAVE TO LOOK BEHIND YOU EVER 5 SECONDS
My girlfriend and I used to go down to Burnside and hang out in front of the KISN radio radio window in 8th grade. I had forgotten all about that.
Chris Slama, thanks for the KISN Good Guys radio sample. Wow, That really took me back!
The only DJ name I remember from back then was Mort Crowley-not sure of the spelling. I got my call to go to Vietnam in September of 1966 and a friend of mine called KISN and had them send me a large tape recorder reel of KISN news and music that I played for my platoon and listened to several times a week during the year I was there. I remember my old bosses Hal Hulbert and Stan Prouty sent me 12 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies while I was away for my platoon as well.
“I can almost smell the malt cooking at Blitz-Weinhard.”
That is the smell I most associate with downtown Portland from Broadway to the library and over to Burnside. I spent a lot of my teens at the library and in the sheet music shop on 10th.
Are there any images of the British Motor Car dealer on Burnside? I believe the dealership would have been on the south side, just a block or two east of this photo.
My father worked across Burnside then, at Studio 1030, home of about two dozen commercial artists.
Like Donna, I spent a lot of my teen years at the Library and Wiscarson Music on 10th avenue. I used to peruse the used records at Django at 11th and Stark and buy snacks and drinks at Georgia’s grocery. I really miss the smell of the brewery!