History

The illuminated outline of a martini glass affixed to a multi-story home lights up the night.
History
Portland’s illuminated martini glass in the West Hills
The 30-ft-by-30-ft sign is turned on for the holiday season each year.
November 18, 2025 04:17 PM
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A plate of flapjacks and a Dutch baby pancake sit on a window-side table with a red coffee mug
Food
History of The Original Pancake House
Learn about the iconic restaurant chain’s origins in Portland, OR.
September 23, 2022
 · 
Jessica Te
Toy horses tied to a metal ring set into a concrete sidewalk.
History
Historic horse tethering rings in Portland, OR
Iron and brass rings scattered across the city are nostalgic reminders of its horse-powered past
September 16, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
The front of a red brick building with a flight of cement steps leading to a paned glass entry door under an archway.
City
The Brautigan Library: a collection of unpublished manuscripts
Over 300 manuscripts submitted by everyday writers are stored inside the Clark County Historical Museum
September 12, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
PDXtoday_PortlandsOfTheWorld_Proxi
Travel and Outdoors
Portlands around the world
Where are you heading first?
September 2, 2022
 · 
Sophie Cloonan
An aerial view from 1940 shows the surrounding farmland. | Photo via Portland City Archives
City
History of Reed College in Portland, Oregon
August 30, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
Take full advantage of the flourishing sidewalk culture. | Photo via @sellwood_scenes
Culture
Neighborhood Guide: Sellwood-Moreland
Shopping and outdoor activities are never far at this charming corner of Portland that feels like its own small town.
August 26, 2022
 · 
Ben McBee
portland sauvie island ufo boat.jpeg
History
Collins Beach UFO Boat on Sauvie Island
August 15, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Do you dare ride Adrenaline Peak? | Photo via Jeremy Thompson
History
History of Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon
August 14, 2022
 · 
Ashlea Hearn
A golden statue of Joan of Arc in Portland, Oregon
History
Joan of Arc statue in Portland, OR
August 5, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A golden sun casts warm light across a nursery filled with flowers, a yellow farmhouse, and a tall spiky looking tree
History
History of Portland’s monkey puzzle trees
August 2, 2022
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
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Latest News
More from PDXtoday
Orange leaves lie on the grass in front of Portland's Pittock Mansion.
Play
Fall events happening in and around Portland
Check out harvest and Halloween-themed events happening in and around Portland in this seasonal guide.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two crewed dragon boats float on a river. Both vessels are painted in colorful hues and feature traditional Chinese dragon figureheads and decorative tails.
Culture
Portland pursuits: Breast cancer survivors ‘find strength, quality of life’ on dragon boat team
Pink Phoenix is billed as the first dragon boat team in the US made entirely of breast cancer survivors.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A man holding a lantern and wearing a Forest Service ranger uniform and headlamp crawls through a dark, rocky tunnel.
Culture
Where to watch indie Bigfoot thriller filmed in Mount St. Helens area
Fans may only get one chance to see “Feet of Death” in theaters.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A light rail train near an airport terminal in Portland, Oregon.
City
TriMet completes MAX Red Line expansion, announces bus and overnight light rail service changes
The public transit agency serving Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties is capping its Better Red project and making headway on its Forward Together initiative.
August 26, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A large rectangular high school building, partly clad in red brick with metallic accents, overlooks a track and field complex.
Education
39 elementary, middle, and high schools in Portland
From Hillsdale to Parkrose, we’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Portland.
August 26, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_vauxs_swift_feature.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
Vaux’s swift watch in Northwest Portland
Every September, thousands of migrating birds roost in Chapman Elementary School’s chimney before flying to Central America and Venezuela.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A waterfall plunges in smooth white over a rocky ledge.
Development
Closed for construction: Oregon state parks to receive repairs thanks to GO Bonds
The effort will help revitalize eight state parks, but the ongoing construction will result in full or partial closures through 2026.
August 22, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
People at tables playing trivia at Wonderwood Springs
Culture
15 weekday events in Portland
Don’t wait for the weekend — explore these recurring weeknight shows, games, drink deals, and more throughout Portland.
August 22, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A group of people gather for an outdoor, educational session at Rad Myco.
Culture
Rad Myco returns to Brown Bottle Farm for its 2024 festival
The four-day celebration of mushrooms and lichens takes places on the Mulino, OR, farm from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 29.
August 20, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A postcard-style image with the "American Idol" logo and "Oregon Auditions" outlined in gold.
Culture
‘Idol Across America’ lets Oregonians audition for ‘American Idol’
Locals can virtually audition for the talent competition on Monday, Aug. 26 and could be invited to appear in front of the celebrity judging panel.
August 20, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil