NE Columbia Boulevard and NE Lombard Place looking east, 1973.
Today was have a photograph of the Rankin Airstrip during the construction phase on N Union Ave near N Columbia St. The inscription written on the back of the image stated, “Plane and hangar 1930. While construction and grading was going on.”
The 1932 city incinerator landscape had changed quite a bit when this photo was taken in 1972. Trees obscured most of the building except for the prominent chimney; that was to come down in 1990. The facility had closed as an incinerator in 1970.
The newly opened city incinerator is shown here in this 1932 photo. Located on N. Columbia Blvd, you can see the overall area in this 1940 aerial photo from an earlier Vintage Portland post.
The area around NE 33rd Avenue and Columbia Blvd. is shown in this circa 1968 aerial photo. The image has been modified to show a proposed overpass to separate traffic and ease congestion (and increase safety) at the intersection. The final configuration is not exactly like this but it’s not too far off.
This 1945 aerial photo looking northeast shows three wartime housing projects in North Portland, primarily for Portland and Vancouver shipyard workers. At center is Columbia Villa, beyond that is University Homes, and across the Columbia Slough at upper left is Vanport City. The Interstate Bridge to Vancouver can be seen beyond Vanport. All three housing projects are long gone and the land redeveloped.