Founded: 1843 in Oregon County, Incorporated 1851 as “Portland”
Pre-Incorporation
Originally, the small plot of land that was to become Portland was known as "The Clearing" by travelers who stopped there to rest on their travels from Oregon city to Fort Vancouver. "The Clearing" did not show any promise of growth until John Couch took measurements of the Willamette River's depth, which proved to be deep enough to accommodate ocean going vessels, which at the time could not travel that far inland. In 1943 William Overton, a pioneer from Tennessee, and Asa Lovejoy from Boston filed a land claim with the State of Oregon for 640 acres that included "The Clearing" and some nearby waterfront land.
In 1845 William Overton sold his half of the 640acre claim to Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine. When it came to name the town, Lovejoy and Pettygrove both wished to name it after their respective hometowns; Boston and Portland. They flipped a coin, and Pettygrove won, so the city was named Portland. Because of it's location at the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, with deeper channels accessible by larger craft, Portland's access to trade and culture quickly propelled it past its formally larger neighbor, Oregon City, which was located 12 more miles up stream on the Willamette River.
Though the largest town in the Pacific Northwest until a rail line was built into Seattle in 1890, which gave access to the city's natural deep water harbor, Portland was the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. In 1850, the census counted 821 persons, 658 males (included 4 free blacks) and 164 white females. It even had it's own newspaper "the Weekly Oregonian", some hotels, and stores. These gains however, were largely outweighed by the messy, muddy, disorganized nature of the establishment, which earned the lumber town nicknames such as "Stumptown" and "Mudtown". On February 8th, 1951 the City of Portland was incorporated by Governor John P. Gaines, shortly after on the 7th of April Hugh D. O'Bryant was elected the first Mayor. In 1891 the city merged with Albania and East Portland.
Pre-Incorporation
Originally, the small plot of land that was to become Portland was known as "The Clearing" by travelers who stopped there to rest on their travels from Oregon city to Fort Vancouver. "The Clearing" did not show any promise of growth until John Couch took measurements of the Willamette River's depth, which proved to be deep enough to accommodate ocean going vessels, which at the time could not travel that far inland. In 1943 William Overton, a pioneer from Tennessee, and Asa Lovejoy from Boston filed a land claim with the State of Oregon for 640 acres that included "The Clearing" and some nearby waterfront land.
In 1845 William Overton sold his half of the 640acre claim to Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine. When it came to name the town, Lovejoy and Pettygrove both wished to name it after their respective hometowns; Boston and Portland. They flipped a coin, and Pettygrove won, so the city was named Portland. Because of it's location at the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, with deeper channels accessible by larger craft, Portland's access to trade and culture quickly propelled it past its formally larger neighbor, Oregon City, which was located 12 more miles up stream on the Willamette River.
Though the largest town in the Pacific Northwest until a rail line was built into Seattle in 1890, which gave access to the city's natural deep water harbor, Portland was the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. In 1850, the census counted 821 persons, 658 males (included 4 free blacks) and 164 white females. It even had it's own newspaper "the Weekly Oregonian", some hotels, and stores. These gains however, were largely outweighed by the messy, muddy, disorganized nature of the establishment, which earned the lumber town nicknames such as "Stumptown" and "Mudtown". On February 8th, 1951 the City of Portland was incorporated by Governor John P. Gaines, shortly after on the 7th of April Hugh D. O'Bryant was elected the first Mayor. In 1891 the city merged with Albania and East Portland.
Post Incorporation
In 1873 a fire that originated in a furniture factory engulfed 20 blocks, destroying 1/3rd of the business district and causing a million dollars in damages. During the rebuild, steam operated trolleys were introduced to the city and in 1887 and a bridge across the Willamette opened. In 1890 the first electric street car was introduced.
In 1905 Portland hosted a World's Fair called the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. It increased recognition of the city so much, that population doubled to 205,000 between 1900 and 1910. Shortly after this population boom, women workers at the Oregon Packing Company led a strike, during the strike the Mayor, Henry Albee, declared all but religious free speech illegal on the streets of Portland in an effort to quiet the strikers.
In 1924 the first Zoning Code was written by the Planning Commission. It included 4 zones; single family residential, single or multi family residential, general business and light manufacturing and unrestricted.
In 1873 a fire that originated in a furniture factory engulfed 20 blocks, destroying 1/3rd of the business district and causing a million dollars in damages. During the rebuild, steam operated trolleys were introduced to the city and in 1887 and a bridge across the Willamette opened. In 1890 the first electric street car was introduced.
In 1905 Portland hosted a World's Fair called the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. It increased recognition of the city so much, that population doubled to 205,000 between 1900 and 1910. Shortly after this population boom, women workers at the Oregon Packing Company led a strike, during the strike the Mayor, Henry Albee, declared all but religious free speech illegal on the streets of Portland in an effort to quiet the strikers.
In 1924 the first Zoning Code was written by the Planning Commission. It included 4 zones; single family residential, single or multi family residential, general business and light manufacturing and unrestricted.
In 1934 a West Coast wide strike by the International Longshoremen's Association shut down the Port of Portland, as well as every other port on the West coast. The members were trying to gain recognition of their union, higher wages, less working hours, and union controlled hiring. They were upset that larger subsidies by the government were not trickling their way through companies to benefit them, and were instead being taken by the company officials. This climaxed when police shot four members of the union, and union members shot an officer who was investigating the shooting scene. The strike was arbitrated, with the union members getting higher wages, shorter work weeks, higher overtime pay, and a jointly operation hiring hall with union and management representatives.
In 1940 Portland experience an economic and population boom, as did many young cities, due to the need to produce materials for US and British preparations for World War II. In addition, the US Federal Government spent $2billion to expand the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to increase productivity. This growth, though fueled by War and Electricity, were funneled in to Portland by Henry J. Kaiser, whose company had been contracted by the BPA to construct the 2 hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. In 1941 his company Kaiser Shipyards, was contracted and funded by the Federal Government to build Liberty Ships and aircraft carrier escorts. These shipyards recruited 150,000 workers, which played a major role in the growth of Portland, the city added 160,000 residents during WWII. By the end of the War, Portland and nearby cities had a population of half a million.
In 1959 the Second Zoning Code was writing by the Bureau of Planning. It contained 15 zones; 4 industrial, 4 commercial, 3 apartmental, and 4 detached housing. It also required that all new development require on site parking after 1973 and set into act height restrictions, setbacks and screening. In 1987 the Central City Plan was introduced. It included improvements of the Mt. Hood viewing corridor, Light Rail connecting the downtown to outer areas, redevelopment of the convention center, and the Bright Lights district, which included hotels, theatres and performing arts centers.
In 1978 after a statewide ballot measure the Oregon Metro was formed. It had evolved from the Columbia Regional Association of Governments and the Metropolitan Service District. In 1992 voters voted to approve a "home rule" charter that identified Metro's primary mission as planning and policy making to preserve and enhance the quality of life inside the Metro. The Metro serves 25 cities in 7 counties, as well as the unincorporated areas of those counties. In 1992 the City Council of Portland adopted the Albina Community Plan. It addressed community policing, incentives for infill housing and initiatives to raise the level of economic and education achievement of Portland Residents.
During the late 1990's Portland experienced a population influx of young educated people who wished to live in a creative place with nature, cheap rents and opportunities to work in the graphic design and internet industries. After the economic bubble burst, the city was left with a large population of creative people, and experienced further influx of the same class from Seattle and San Francisco.
In 1940 Portland experience an economic and population boom, as did many young cities, due to the need to produce materials for US and British preparations for World War II. In addition, the US Federal Government spent $2billion to expand the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to increase productivity. This growth, though fueled by War and Electricity, were funneled in to Portland by Henry J. Kaiser, whose company had been contracted by the BPA to construct the 2 hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. In 1941 his company Kaiser Shipyards, was contracted and funded by the Federal Government to build Liberty Ships and aircraft carrier escorts. These shipyards recruited 150,000 workers, which played a major role in the growth of Portland, the city added 160,000 residents during WWII. By the end of the War, Portland and nearby cities had a population of half a million.
In 1959 the Second Zoning Code was writing by the Bureau of Planning. It contained 15 zones; 4 industrial, 4 commercial, 3 apartmental, and 4 detached housing. It also required that all new development require on site parking after 1973 and set into act height restrictions, setbacks and screening. In 1987 the Central City Plan was introduced. It included improvements of the Mt. Hood viewing corridor, Light Rail connecting the downtown to outer areas, redevelopment of the convention center, and the Bright Lights district, which included hotels, theatres and performing arts centers.
In 1978 after a statewide ballot measure the Oregon Metro was formed. It had evolved from the Columbia Regional Association of Governments and the Metropolitan Service District. In 1992 voters voted to approve a "home rule" charter that identified Metro's primary mission as planning and policy making to preserve and enhance the quality of life inside the Metro. The Metro serves 25 cities in 7 counties, as well as the unincorporated areas of those counties. In 1992 the City Council of Portland adopted the Albina Community Plan. It addressed community policing, incentives for infill housing and initiatives to raise the level of economic and education achievement of Portland Residents.
During the late 1990's Portland experienced a population influx of young educated people who wished to live in a creative place with nature, cheap rents and opportunities to work in the graphic design and internet industries. After the economic bubble burst, the city was left with a large population of creative people, and experienced further influx of the same class from Seattle and San Francisco.