Back in 2013, a similar post (see “Related” above) generated a discussion by Eric, Jim, and Rod who were guessing the picture actually dated from the 1890’s. Given the women’s clothing here, I’m wondering if the same is true today?
That looks like a 1918 Ford Model T touring car in the center of the photo, so the 1918 date looks to be correct.
So clean! And people dressed up instead of down when they traveled. A bygone era. Born a century too late.
This is a Postcard of Union Station in Portland. On sale on eBay for $11.60 the same postcard which was sent from a Mrs Ball who just moved to Portland to Miss Reuah A. Rykert in Grand Rapids Michigan has a Portland postmark of April 24, 1912.
I’m curious if this was taken before the Flu of 1918 pandemic hit the west coast?
I love the commerce row that has since been replaced by the station’s parking lot. That was likely a pretty happening spot in the day.
However, I am wondering about the condition of the awnings/window coverings on the station itself. Are they in various stages of disrepair? It looks as though the maintenance of the upper floors could use some help…
Great photo!
I wonder how many people seen in this photo died from the Influenza Pandemic that came to Portland in Oct. 1918; for many, this was to be their last summer.
Sort of a bummer the commerce row at left went away.
This area is a bit ‘challenged’ currently, but some cool retail/food shops could have helped make this an interesting little district today. And maybe a spot to get a decent cup of coffee before catching a train!
pantypest: “So clean”? Do you not see all the horses in this picture? Until the era of horse drawn transportation ended, I assume that there was a persistent barnyard odor throughout Portland, and one would have to step very carefully when crossing the street.
Oops, sorry about the typo on your name, pantrypest.
Hop gold beer
Those shops on the left seem very convenient, I wonder when they got rid of those?
2nd billboard from the left is an ad for the Oregon Washington Navigation Co., which was a subsidiary Union Pacific. The UP tracks run along the Columbia on the Oregon side.
The car is a 1904 Ford Model B . With “Old Glory” displayed in three different places and in such close proximity to each other. Could this be the forth of July during the time of 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition?
Union Station, with its Romanesque Revival style, always reminds me of Florence, Italy.
I wonder if any car experts can identify the vehicle at the far left. Same question for any pole experts–anyone know what that far left halo-topped pole is for, just flags?
Here’s a nice rundown of the “Road of a Thousand Wonders”, the Southern Pacific Railroad promotional campaign. You have to scroll to the bottom to find Oregon and Portland, but there are some great pics and some highly complimentary descriptions.
That is a 1904 Ford Model B in the center of the image. 1918 seems a bit late for this photograph judging from the fashions and horse drawn wagon’s in the image. Seeing all the flags could this be the Forth of July in 1905 and the people coming and going from the train station, could they be Lewis and Clark Centennial Fair Goer’s?
Good ID of the Ford, Chris B.
Oregon voted in prohibition in 1915 do there wouldn’t be a ‘Hop gold beer’ advertisement like the one on the left of this photo. So not 1918.
Vintage Portland 
Back in 2013, a similar post (see “Related” above) generated a discussion by Eric, Jim, and Rod who were guessing the picture actually dated from the 1890’s. Given the women’s clothing here, I’m wondering if the same is true today?
That looks like a 1918 Ford Model T touring car in the center of the photo, so the 1918 date looks to be correct.
So clean! And people dressed up instead of down when they traveled. A bygone era. Born a century too late.
This is a Postcard of Union Station in Portland. On sale on eBay for $11.60 the same postcard which was sent from a Mrs Ball who just moved to Portland to Miss Reuah A. Rykert in Grand Rapids Michigan has a Portland postmark of April 24, 1912.
I’m curious if this was taken before the Flu of 1918 pandemic hit the west coast?
I love the commerce row that has since been replaced by the station’s parking lot. That was likely a pretty happening spot in the day.
However, I am wondering about the condition of the awnings/window coverings on the station itself. Are they in various stages of disrepair? It looks as though the maintenance of the upper floors could use some help…
Great photo!
I wonder how many people seen in this photo died from the Influenza Pandemic that came to Portland in Oct. 1918; for many, this was to be their last summer.
More Portland Influenza info here: https://www.influenzaarchive.org/cities/city-portland.html#
Sort of a bummer the commerce row at left went away.
This area is a bit ‘challenged’ currently, but some cool retail/food shops could have helped make this an interesting little district today. And maybe a spot to get a decent cup of coffee before catching a train!
pantypest: “So clean”? Do you not see all the horses in this picture? Until the era of horse drawn transportation ended, I assume that there was a persistent barnyard odor throughout Portland, and one would have to step very carefully when crossing the street.
Oops, sorry about the typo on your name, pantrypest.
Hop gold beer
Those shops on the left seem very convenient, I wonder when they got rid of those?
2nd billboard from the left is an ad for the Oregon Washington Navigation Co., which was a subsidiary Union Pacific. The UP tracks run along the Columbia on the Oregon side.
The car is a 1904 Ford Model B . With “Old Glory” displayed in three different places and in such close proximity to each other. Could this be the forth of July during the time of 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition?
Union Station, with its Romanesque Revival style, always reminds me of Florence, Italy.
I wonder if any car experts can identify the vehicle at the far left. Same question for any pole experts–anyone know what that far left halo-topped pole is for, just flags?
Here’s a nice rundown of the “Road of a Thousand Wonders”, the Southern Pacific Railroad promotional campaign. You have to scroll to the bottom to find Oregon and Portland, but there are some great pics and some highly complimentary descriptions.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48407/48407-h/48407-h.htm
That is a 1904 Ford Model B in the center of the image. 1918 seems a bit late for this photograph judging from the fashions and horse drawn wagon’s in the image. Seeing all the flags could this be the Forth of July in 1905 and the people coming and going from the train station, could they be Lewis and Clark Centennial Fair Goer’s?
Good ID of the Ford, Chris B.
Oregon voted in prohibition in 1915 do there wouldn’t be a ‘Hop gold beer’ advertisement like the one on the left of this photo. So not 1918.