Oregon Historical Society, Davies Family Research Library
Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205
Phone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
E-mail: libreference@ohs.org
Mss
1286
Oregon Historical Society
Portland
collection.
1849-1998
1.75 cubic feet (3 document
cases, 1 oversize folder, 1 microfilm reel )
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.
Materials in the collection are in
English
History of the City of Portland:
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.
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.
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
The collection is open to the public.
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.
Portland collection, Mss 1286, Oregon Historical Society Research
Library
The collection was assembled by the Oregon Historical Society from a
variety of sources, including Library Accessions 19433, 19230, and 19881.
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.
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.
The collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings:
Bennett,
Edward H. (Edward Herbert), 1874-1954.
Dana,
Marshall N. (Marshall Newport), b. 1885.
Kaiser,
Lawrence S.
Portland
(Or.). Commission of Public Docks--Archives.
Portland
(Or.). Dept. of Public Works--Archives.
Portland
(Or.). Office of the City Auditor--Archives.
Bull Run
River Watershed (Or.)--History.
Portland
(Or.)--History.
Portland
(Or.)--Pictorial works.
Portland
(Or.)--Politics and government.
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.
City
Planning
City
and Town Life
Oregon
Portland
Public Works
Water
and Water Rights
Clippings
Scrapbooks
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.
Series A
Illustrated view books
1883-1918
1/1
Folding postcards and miniature
views
circa
1915-1920
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
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
1887
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.
1/6
Portland,
Oregon, the city of roses
circa
1905
2
copies
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
1904
undated
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.
1/10
Portland's
great flood views souvenir
1894
1/11
Samuel's
souvenir no. 1, Portland, Oregon
1883
2
copies
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
1920-1998
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
1949
12
pages
2/1
The port of
Portland
undated
1
brochure
2/2
Portland Chamber of Commerce,
Industries Department
undated
1
brochure
2/3
Portland
loves parks
circa
1998
2/4
Portland Renewal Information
Development Endeavor (PRIDE)
circa
1958
3
brochures
2/5
The
Portland story, by Stewart Holbrook
1950
31
pages
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
1920
2
versions
Series C
City Records
1849-1988
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
1926
Charts, diagrams, clippings, notebook and correspondence
relating to drought in Portland, August 1926, and subsequent shortage in water
supply, Bull Run Reservoir.
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
1927-1930
Proposed amended, charter, special municipal election, June 28,
1927; proposed charter for abolishing commission form of government, 1930;
charter amendments and recommendations, 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
1914-1925
Includes "Standard method of laying bricks and blocks on street
intersections," 1923 May 1, illustrated.
2/20
Documents--Early ordinances,
appointments
1850-1884
Includes list of voters in Portland, probably dating from the
early 1850s; and documents from the 1850s relating to maintenance of the
levee.
Oversize Folder/Items 4-8
Documents relating to city labor
and schools (photostatic copies)
1849-1860
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.
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
1907-1987
- 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
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
1912-1998
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
1974
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.
Series E
General materials
1867-1988
Oversize Folder/Item 10
Coming of
the white man
1907
"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.
/Items 1-2
Council Crest
broadsides
1902
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)
1956
Clippings regarding corruption and vice in Multnomah County,
April 19-Nov. 18, 1956. Compiled by Teamsters, Portland. 2 folders
3/13
Pioneer Courthouse dedication
ceremony
1973 May 1
3/14
Property used for immoral
purposes
circa
1893
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.
Oversize folder/Item 3
Scrapbook
1945-1965
Scrapbook containing clippings regarding Portland's history,
including articles about bridges, Bull Run, Columbia River Scenic Highway, and
many others.
3/15
Theodore Roosevelt statue
unveiling
1922
Microfilm
The great
northwest
1867
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].