SW Broadway downtown was a one-way street until it reached Columbia Street in 1950 (here looking north). South of here Broadway was still two-way. A little more discussion about changing to a one-way grid is here in this earlier post.
(City of Portland Archives)
I don’t know why the artist felt the need to place dozens of biplanes in the skies over Portland but the planes give a rather dramatic, yet whimsical, perspective to the downtown core area of 1920.
(Library of Congress)
Interesting perspective in this photo looking straight down on SW Broadway as it cuts through the heart of downtown in 1960 (south is up). The parking lot just left of center will become Pioneer Courthouse Square a quarter-century later. Very few blocks have escaped change in the last 50 years.
(City of Portland Archives)
Remarkably unchanged in 75 years, this view is south on NW 9th from Johnson Street. What’s known today as the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, the building on the right was called Central Truck Terminal in 1936.
(City of Portland Archives)
Friday night and this city is jumping! Looking north on SW Broadway toward SW Madison, Portland’s brightly lit theater signs are on display; Paramount, Broadway, Orpheum, and Mayfair.
(City of Portland Archives)
A lot has changed in Portland since 1935 but this view north on SW Broadway from Madison Street has enough landmarks to make it recognizable today. The most notable changes are the Portland Center for the Performing Arts building now on the left, and the 1000 Broadway building that replaced the Broadway Theater on the right.
(City of Portland Archives)
