Portland collection., 1849-1998

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Title
Portland collection.
Dates
1849-1998 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.75 cubic feet (3 document cases, 1 oversize folder, 1 microfilm reel )
Collection Number
Mss 1286
Summary
Collection assembled by the Oregon Historical Society containing documents and ephemera relating to the history of Portland, Oregon. Includes view booklets, promotional brochures, as well as published city government documents and city planning information and other documents issued to Portland residents. Also includes a scrapbook of clippings relating to the vice investigations of 1956 and data on the Bull Run water system in 1926.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Portland, Oregon, began as a clearing on the west bank of the Willamette River in 1844. The original land claim was filed by William Overton and Asa Lovejoy, but Overton sold his share to Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine, who, after winning a coin toss with Lovejoy, gave the town site the name of his native city. The new city was incorporated in 1851 and prospered because of its advantageous location near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, among other factors. Its growth was spurred by flourishing agriculture in the Willamette Valley, the California gold rush, the Indian wars of the 1850s, and gold discoveries in eastern Oregon and Idaho in the 1860s. By the Civil War, Portland was the principal metropolis of the Pacific Northwest with a population of around 3000. The arrival of the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads in 1883 and 1884 contributed to a new boom in prosperity, and in 1891 the city annexed the municipalities of Albina and East Portland on the east side of the Willamette. Residential growth was most dramatic in the eastern districts after 1900, and expansion was especially rapid after the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in 1905. By 1910 Portland's population was over 207,000, and it continued its rapid growth up to the 1930s. Concern over the city's water supply led to the development of the Bull Run Reserve, with a dam built at Bull Run Lake in 1915, and reservoirs established in Mt. Tabor and Washington parks. Another boom was precipitated by World War II, which greatly stimulated shipbuilding and related industries. Postwar growth was most dramatic in outlying suburbs, especially in Washington County to the west. But along with "big city" status came accompanying ills, such as the vice scandal which surfaced in 1956 and involved organized crime and official corruption. The 1960s brought a heightened interest in urban planning, and considerable effort was made to revitalize the downtown area and to improve mass transit.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Portland collection was assembled by the Oregon Historical Society from a variety of sources. It pertains to government and history of the city of Portland, Oregon, including: the charter revision of 1927; city hall account sheet for 1896; report of the city planning commission of 1927; a report and listing of gambling houses and saloons, undated; appointments and ordinances; and the chairman's report of Public Docks Commission, 1929 December 1. Also included are illustrated view books from the late 19th and early 20th centuries; a copy of The greater Portland plan by Edward H. Bennett and Marshall N. Dana; specifications for street paving and lighting fixtures; a report on the municipal water system, 1922, by Lawrence S. Kaiser; documents relating to water shortages and the Bull Run water supply in 1926; clippings relating to the vice investigations of 1956; a scrapbook; pamphlets; and ephemera.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any publication use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Portland collection, Mss 1286, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series:

Series A: Illustrated view books, 1883-1918

Series B: Promotional brochures and pamphlets, 1920-1998

Series C: City records, 1849-1988

Series D: City planning materials, 1912-1998

Series E: General materials, 1867-1988

Acquisition Information

The collection was assembled by the Oregon Historical Society from a variety of sources, including Library Accessions 19433, 19230, and 19881.

Separated Materials

A few items from the collection were transferred to the City of Portland Archives in 2009 and are indicated by the presence of a removal notice in the appropriate folder.

Related Materials

Promotional brochures and other pamphlets relating to the city of Portland can be found in the Pacific Northwest Promotional Brochures, Mss 6000, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series A:  Illustrated view books, 1883-1918Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Folding postcards and miniature views
Includes: Bardell Fototone miniaturesPortland folding postcard "The City of Roses"Souvenir folder of Portland, Or., Lipschuetz & Katz
See also Postcard Collection (Org. Lot 146), Oregon Historical Society Research Library
circa 1915-1920
1/2
Glimpses of Portland, Oregon
1892
1/3
The glorious fourth of July (July 4th program with bird's-eye view)
1888
1/4
Kiser Company booklet depicting office buildings and harbor
circa 1910
1/5
Portland and vicinity
Promotional pamphlet published by I. Samuel of Portland containing basic information on the city and vicinity; and drawings and short synopsis of various sites and items of interest, including: Portland High School; Court House Park; Kamm's Building; Riverview Cemetery; Portland Post Office; various down town areas; mouth of the Willamette; Crater Lake; Mount Hood; Oregon State University; and many more.
1887
1/6
Portland, Oregon, the city of roses
2 copies
circa 1905
1/7
Portland, Oregon, the New York of the Pacific
1907
1/8
Portland : the rose city (H. H. Tammen Company, Los Angeles)
1913
1/9
Portland's scenic beauties
Two versions, one published for the National Livestock Association convention, January 12-15, 1904, and issued by the Division of Exploitation, Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition; and the other published by John G. Kidd and Roy S. Searle, Portland, n.d.
1904; undated
1/10
Portland's great flood views souvenir
1894
1/11
Samuel's souvenir no. 1, Portland, Oregon
2 copies
1883
1/12
Singer Sewing Machine Company view cards
circa 1905
1/13
Souvenir of Portland, Oregon and vicinity, W. E. Jones, publisher
1898
1/14
Souvenir of Portland, Oregon and vicinity, C. P. Heininger, publisher
1890
1/15
View album of Portland and vicinity
1889
1/16
Views of Portland and vicinity, L. H. Nelson, publisher
undated
1/17
Views of Portland and vicinity
1903

B:  Promotional brochures and pamphlets, 1920-1998Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/18
Birthplace of a city, Portland Center Urban Renewal Project ground breaking
1964
1/19
City information guides and maps
1926-1981
1/20
Enjoy yourself in Portland, Oregon, Visitors Service Department, Portland Chamber of Commerce
undated
1/21
Greater Portland Convention and Visitors' Association brochure
circa 1998
1/22
Interesting facts about Portland, Hazelwood Company
undated
1/23
Know Portland, compiled by Mayor George L. Baker
1927
1/24
The 100th birthday story of Morgan's Landing Farm on Sauvie's Island in Oregon
12 pages
1949
2/1
The port of Portland
1 brochure
undated
2/2
Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industries Department
1 brochure
undated
2/3
Portland loves parks
circa 1998
2/4
Portland Renewal Information Development Endeavor (PRIDE)
3 brochures
circa 1958
2/5
The Portland story, by Stewart Holbrook
31 pages
1950
2/6
Portland welcomes you, Newcomer's Service
1955
2/7
Rose city : Portland, Oregon, Portland General Electric
undated
2/8
There's something new in Old Town
undated
2/9
Vest pocket guide to the city of Portland
2 versions
1920

Series C:  City Records, 1849-1988Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/10
Bonds--Harbor facilities
1944
2/11
Bonds--City of Portland, $500 gold coin
1886
2/12
Bonds--Municipal grain elevator
1917
2/13
Bull Run Reservoir--Water shortage materials
Charts, diagrams, clippings, notebook and correspondence relating to drought in Portland, August 1926, and subsequent shortage in water supply, Bull Run Reservoir.
1926
2/14
Pamphlet on Bull Run water by Ralph C. Clyde
1941
2/15
Bureau of Environmental Services, brochures on mid-county sewer project
1987
2/16
Charter revision proposal
Proposed amended, charter, special municipal election, June 28, 1927; proposed charter for abolishing commission form of government, 1930; charter amendments and recommendations, 1930.
1927-1930
2/17
City government--lists of people, dates, meetings
circa 1911-1913
2/18
City license to the Evening Journal
1902
2/19
Department of Public Works--Construction standards for streets and related equipment
Includes "Standard method of laying bricks and blocks on street intersections," 1923 May 1, illustrated.
1914-1925
2/20
Documents--Early ordinances, appointments
Includes list of voters in Portland, probably dating from the early 1850s; and documents from the 1850s relating to maintenance of the levee.
1850-1884
Oversize Folder/Items 4-8
Documents relating to city labor and schools (photostatic copies)
Articles of agreement, 1849, Portland school and meeting house, between William Warren, William M. King and Stephen Coffin; agreement for removal of bodies from city cemetery by William James, dated November 16, 1857; contract for convict labor, June, 1860.
1849-1860
2/21
Harbormaster regulations
1908
2/22
Mill Ends Park--Letter from Mayor Terry Schrunk to Dick Fagen
1968
2/23
Financial statement
1930
2/24
The municipal water system of Portland, Or.: historical, descriptive, statistical (typescript, carbon, 55 pages), by Lawrence C. Kaiser
1922
2/25
Organizations--Political and local groups
  • Contains:
  • Poll book, polling place 38, 1914 December 8 (photocopy)
  • Notice of appointment as clerk, 1903 May 13
  • Printed copy of Ordinance No. 51743, requiring removal of weeds and debris, 1927 March 24
  • Printed copy of Resolution No. 22003, commending the 41st Division, Ninth Army Corps, 1941 July 17
  • Permit from office of City Engineer, 1908 November 11
  • Notice of Public Involvement Opportunity relating to scenic views ans sites inventory, 1987 September
1907-1987
2/26
Portland Fire Department--Widow's pensions
1919
2/27
Portland-Guadalajara sister city history
1983-1992
2/28
Urban services of the city of Portland
circa 1987

D:  City planning materials, 1912-1998Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
Planning Commission report
1946
3/2
The greater Portland plan and municipal facts of Edward H. Bennett, edited by Marsha Newport Dana
1912.
3/3
Growth concepts, prepared by the Livable City Project
1992
3/4
Metro planning and auditing documents
circa 1998
3/5
Policy at the port, League of Women Voters
1973
3/6
Portland Chamber of Commerce brochure
circa 1938
Oversize Folder/Item 9
Portland : give us your dreams to build a plan on
1985
3/7
South Burlingame Neighborhood Association
1979-1980
3/8
Union Station Task Force, Portland Development Commission
1992
3/9
Waterfront development and other downtown planning
Documents re Portland waterfront development. Includes Portland City Advisory Committee & Water-front Task Force meeting notes, Feb-Mar. 1974; draft, Portland Skid Row project, Feb. 1974; Willamette River Greenway policy conference study guide, March 1974.
1974

Series E:  General materials, 1867-1988Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
Oversize Folder/Item 10
Coming of the white man
"Coming of the white Man," a supplement to the Oregon Journal, September 3, 1907. Photographs and text on Portland businesses, manufacturing opportunities, recreational facilities, etc. No pagination.
1907
oversize:folder
/Items 1-2
Council Crest broadsides
1902
Box/Folder
3/10
Ephemera, general
1883-1988
Oversize folder / Item 12
Panorama view of Portland Oregon, postcard
circa 1910
Oversize folder/Item 11
Multnomah County civilian defense, organizational chart
circa 1941
3/11-12
Multnomah county vice crimes (clippings)
Clippings regarding corruption and vice in Multnomah County, April 19-Nov. 18, 1956. Compiled by Teamsters, Portland. 2 folders
1956
3/13
Pioneer Courthouse dedication ceremony
1973 May 1
3/14
Property used for immoral purposes
Rominger, H. V. Committee report to the Ministerial Association of Portland on ownership of property in Portland devoted to immoral purposes. [Committee members are H. V. Rominger and H. P. Wallace, prepared ca. 1891-93]. Includes list of property owners. 12 pp. Holograph.
circa 1893
Oversize folder/Item 3
Scrapbook
Scrapbook containing clippings regarding Portland's history, including articles about bridges, Bull Run, Columbia River Scenic Highway, and many others.
1945-1965
3/15
Theodore Roosevelt statue unveiling
1922
Microfilm
The great northwest
The Great Northwest; proceedings of a meeting of the people of the City of Portland, Or. on the subject of the Pacific Rail Roads and Oregon Rail Roads: with the report and resolutions adopted Dec. 18, 1867. A. G. Wailing & Co. Printers, 1867. 17 pp. 14 x 22. 5 cm. [Belknap Imprint 1044].
1867

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • City planning--Oregon--Portland--History.
  • Docks--Oregon--Portland--History.
  • Drinking water--Oregon--Portland--History.
  • Gambling--Oregon--Portland--History.
  • Prostitution--Oregon--Portland--History.
  • Streets-- Maintenance and repair--Oregon--Portland.
  • Vice control--Oregon--Portland--History.

Personal Names

  • Bennett, Edward H. (Edward Herbert), 1874-1954. (creator)
  • Dana, Marshall N. (Marshall Newport), b. 1885. (creator)
  • Kaiser, Lawrence S. (creator)

Corporate Names

  • Portland (Or.). Commission of Public Docks--Archives.
  • Portland (Or.). Dept. of Public Works--Archives.
  • Portland (Or.). Office of the City Auditor--Archives.

Geographical Names

  • Bull Run River Watershed (Or.)--History.
  • Portland (Or.)--History.
  • Portland (Or.)--Pictorial works.
  • Portland (Or.)--Politics and government.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Scrapbooks

Titles within the Collection

  • The great northwest : proceedings of a meeting of the people of the City of Portland, Or. on the subject of the Pacific Rail Roads and Oregon Rail Roads.
  • The greater Portland plan of Edward H. Bennett.