Not much has changed on the east side of SW 3rd Avenue between Salmon and Taylor Streets. The Auditorium Building at center has been there since 1894 and the building on the right, home to the Lotus Cafe, has been there since 1906. Even the one-story buildings to the left, rare in downtown Portland, are still standing.
(University of Oregon Libraries)
The Jefferson West Apartment building has stood on SW Jefferson between SW 11th and 12th since 1923. I believe it’s been empty for several years as owner Portland Development Commission decides what to do with it, but in 1940 it was a busy center of commerce and entertainment.
(City of Portland Archives)
Lipman & Wolfe department store displayed its new store in this 1912 postcard. It covered the half-block on SW 5th between Alder and Washington. In this building, Lipman & Wolfe eventually became Lipman’s, then Frederick & Nelson. In the 1990s the building was refurbished as a hotel, first branded Fifth Avenue Suites, and now Hotel Monaco.
(City of Portland Archives)
The 1890s Marabba West apartment house was known by many names over the years; Virginia Hill Hotel, Hill Hotel, Hobart-Curtis Family Hotel, Jeanne D’Arc Hotel and the Princess. KGW Broadcasting eventually bought the building and wanted to demolish it in order to expand studio facilies and parking at their adjacent property at SW 14th and Jefferson. The city and Portland Development Commision fought to save this building but the city ultimately voted not to purchase. Demolition began the end of September, 1977.
(The Oregonian. Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com)
(The Oregonian. Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com)
Portland appeared to be a busy, progressive and prosperous city in this 1907 street scene looking west on SW Morrison at 5th Avenue. Pioneer Courthouse is on the immediate left and the Portland Hotel, site of today’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, looms in the distance beyond that. Meier & Frank would build their flagship store on the block to the immediate right.
(City of Portland Archives)
The 1891 Hotel Perkins stood on the northeast corner of SW 5th and Washington until 1962 when it was replaced by the Washington Center building (Key Bank is the prime tenant now). An excellent view of the hotel and its surroundings can be seen just left of center in this 1892 panorama.
(City of Portland Archives)
Vintage Portland 