If you’ve ever spent time in Portland, as a resident or on a visit, you know that city’s rich history is evident almost everywhere you look. Street names and parks recall past city leaders and community figures, theaters and hotels have maintained their historic facades and architectural quirks, and every other person you meet lives in a house or apartment building built before 1920. Though we’re known as a city that values preservation and restoration of historic homes, facilities, signs, and landmarks, many people are surprised to find out how many majestic buildings and cultural treasures have been lost to redevelopment, natural disasters, and changing times in Portland.
One of the things that sets apart the McDonald Group is our appreciation for the quality and character of historic Portland homes. Real Estate isn’t only about new developments or increased construction numbers, its also about matching people up with homes that create both family space and community character. We’ve got the inside scoop on historic homes in Portland, whether you’re looking for a gorgeous craftsman that has been fully updated to 21st century environmental standards or you’re searching for a new DIY project in a hidden gem of a bungalow that needs some love to show off its undeniable historic charm. We’ve got knowledgeable real estate agents that value the history of this area and the homes that keep that past alive.
I know I can spend hours looking at photographs of historic Portland, from the changing downtown skyline and neon signs of Broadway, to the emerging cultural communities and suburban eastbank development. Here are some fantastic resources for looking into Portland’s Past, whether you’re thinking of relocated to Portland in the future or you’ve lived here for decades.
PDX History: http://www.pdxhistory.com/
PDX History is a website devoted to the belief that “History is a thread that draws us together. By preserving our history, we can learn from past mistakes and go forward with a new awareness. Our experiences serve to enlighten us and to help us become survivors.” The front page is a bit overwhelming, though the site map helps, but click away at the images to dive into stories about the origins of the Rose Festival, Portland’s Historic Hotels, and Portland Baseball, among many other amazing resources. Some of my favorite pages feature old photos of Broadway and Portland’s Theaters.
Vintage Portland: http://vintageportland.wordpress.com/
The goal of Vintage Portland is to document some of the city’s past through photographs, postcards, illustrations, advertisements. The inaugural post on November 19th features a 1917 photo of the North Bank Passenger Station, a building that still stands today at NW 11th and Hoyt.
Cafe Unknown: http://www.cafeunknown.com/
This local blog combines storytelling, sleuthing, and photo-gazing and features historic photos of Portland buildings of the past, often juxtaposed with their modern counterparts. This blog proclaims that “Portland’s character as a place is under constant siege” and preserving that sense of place should be a priority. This post features images that explore change over time, and how Portland history is enhanced by further exploration and preservation of images of our early past.
Lost Oregon: http://lostoregon.org/
This Portland-based blog aims to document the disappearing Portland and Oregon of the recent past – through postcards, photos and words. Of remembering Oregon’s past, the author John Chilson writes: “It puts you in touch with your own mortality, but it makes life feel more real. It’s a road map into the past.” Here is a cool piece he wrote about Oregon’s lesser-known restaurant heritage.
Oregon Historical Society: http://www.ohs.org/
The Oregon Historical Society, located in downtown Portland between SW Madison and Jefferson on Park, is an amazing resource for anyone interested in local history. The Oregon History Museum features rotating exhibits on Portland, Oregon, Northwestern, and American history, and the research library is accessible to the public. They also have an online catalog of their extensive collection here.
