History of Portland Oregon

  Portland is now well supplied with railway connection, not only with all parts of the Northwest, but with the whole of North America. She is the terminus of three transcontinental lines-the Northern Pacific, by the O. R. & N. and the Oregon Short Line, and the Union Pacific systems, respectively, and of the Southern Pacific by the Oregon and California Railway. She is also a terminus of the Northern Pacific on its own rails across the Cascade mountains and by way of Tacoma and Kalama, and, by the routes on Puget Sound, communicates directly with the Canadian Pacific. The … Read more

It is to be borne in mind that there was in Oregon an ancient circles of cities whose rise and growth belong to a day earlier than that of Portland. By reference to the chapter upon the earliest times and the provisional government, one will see that Astoria, down near the Ocean, had already been flourishing, amid its gigantic spruce trees and sea breezes, for more than thirty years, and for a part of the time figured as the sole American city on the Pacific Coast. It had furthermore so far attracted the attention as to have become the subject … Read more

Portland has always had an industrious and vigorous press. The fathers of the city were not slow to perceive that among the things necessary to build up the city and make it known to the world was an active and enterprising press, and very soon after the city was started there was an effort to establish a newspaper here. The project was talked of for a considerable time before means were found of carrying it into execution. It was no easy matter to find a man who would undertake the publication of a newspaper in so young and small a … Read more

In 1866 the offices were Thos. G. Young, W. H. Weed and Win. T. Patterson. In 1867, Thos. G. Young, W. H. Weed, Wm. W. Witsell. The latter Chiefs are found in the list of the city officers, given above. As the city grew larger and the years passed, it was deemed better not to depend upon volunteer companies, but to maintain a regular paid fire department. In 1882 this was organized, and in 1883 H. D. Morgan, who still serves, was appointed Chief. Under this management the loss by fire has been greatly reduced, as shown by the following: … Read more

St. Helen’s Hall opened September 6th, 1869, in the building then known as St. Stephen’s Chapel, standing at the southwest corner of Fourth and Madison streets. There were fifty pupils on the opening day. By November 1, the number had increased to eighty and the principals, finding that they had more than they could do, called Miss Atkinson, now Mrs. F. M. Warren, Jr., to share their duties. Since then, the Misses Rodney have constantly taught in the school and continued to direct it, having had a gradually increasing corps of able assistants. Of them, Miss Lydia H. Blackler and Mrs. … Read more

Morrison street, into which enters the bridge-way from across the Willamette, begins with the Esmond Hotel of five stories, on the north, and W. S. Ladd’s five story brick, on the south. The St. Charles Hotel stands on the south side, and on First street handsome brick blocks appear-except that on the southeast corner, apparently as a relic of ancient architecture, remains the old wooden, clapp-boarded two story Occidental Hotel. The street continuing westward is of a very uneven character. Fine three and four story brick and wooden houses, alternate with one story fish and fruit stalls and coffee houses. … Read more

History of Portland Oregon Financial Institutions: Early Banks – Causes Which Stimulated the Growth of Banking Interests – Financial Condition of Portland Banks – Ladd & Tilton – First National Bank – Bank of British Columbia – Oregon and Washington Mortgage Bank – Portland Savings Bank – London and San Francisco Bank – Merchants’ National Bank – Oregon National Bank – Portland National Bank – Ainsworth National Bank – Commercial National Bank – Northwest Loan and Trust Company – Portland Trust Company – Northwest Fire and Marine Insurance Company – Pacific Fire Insurance Company.

History of Portland Oregon Commerce: Primitive Commerce – Commercial Operations of Hudson’s Bay Company – Trade Enterprises of Hall J. Kelley, Nathaniel J. Wyeth and Nathaniel Crosby – Period of Commercial Adventurers – Discovery of Gold and Its Effects on Commerce – Early Trade in Lumber – – Portland a Market for Oregon Produce – Early Sailing Vessels Which Visited Portland – Beginning of Steam Navigation – Character and Value of Portland’s Exports From 1855 to 1865 – Steamships running to Portland from 1864 to 1869 – Value of Portland’s Exports in 1866 and 1867 – Measures Which Secured Portland’s Commercial Independence – Growth of Foreign Commerce – Trade Statistics for 1870 – Period of Business Depression – Commercial Growth and Development During Recent Years – Present Character and Condition of Portland’s Commerce.

This society, while it does not directly dispense alms in any form, aims to be a center of inter-communication between the various churches and charitable agencies in the city; to foster harmonious co-operation between them; to furnish them with trustworthy information, and to prevent the waste and misuse of charitable funds. It investigates cases of all applicants for relief which are referred to the society for inquiry; obtains from proper charities and charitable individuals suitable and adequate relief for deserving cases; procures work for poor persons in need who are capable of being wholly or partially self-supporting, and represses mendicancy … Read more

History of Portland Manufacturing: Conditions Which Cause the Growth of Manufacturing at Portland – Character of Early Manufactures – Present Condition and Magnitude of Manufacturing Enterprises of Portland.