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 small snowperson stands on a railing overlooking a hilly forest covered in a dusting of snow as an aerial tram travels between OHSU and Southwest Portland
History
The history of snow in Portland, OR
December 28, 2021
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Cambrie Juarez
An illustration shows a skiway tram system on Mount Hood
History
History of the Mount Hood Skiway
December 27, 2021
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Cambrie Juarez
A chainsaw sits on a tree stump
History
The modern chainsaw blade was invented in Portland
December 21, 2021
 · 
Ben McBee
An archival photo shows a ski resort on the slopes of Mount Hood
History
Cloud Cap Inn was Mount Hood’s first resort
Visitors could enjoy amenities like fine dining, flush toilets, room to sleep 30 guests, and a gasp-worthy view of the 11,239-foot summit
December 13, 2021
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Cambrie Juarez
A black and white photo shows a vintage car speeding down an otherwise empty freeway in Portland circa 1974
History
History of Harbor Drive, Portland’s first freeway
Freeways come and freeways go
December 8, 2021
 · 
Ben McBee
Heavily-traveled bridge going over Willamette River in Portland.
Culture
Portland’s street pronunciation guide
Get to know the local lingo
December 6, 2021
 · 
Ben McBee
A Google street view of an intersection with a pedestrian scramble that has lateral and diagonal crosswalks
Government
Portland’s only pedestrian scramble
May we have this “Barnes Dance?”
January 11, 2021
 · 
Ben McBee
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A six-piece brass band holding instruments and wearing white button-down shirts and ties stands before a hedge.
Culture
New Orleans-style jazz funeral band offers catharsis, comfort ‘in an honest and truly connected way’
The brass band plays a mournful dirge, followed by joyful, uplifting jazz music to help grieving loved ones embrace their feelings.
August 2, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
Several oysters on the half shell arranged on a round plate.
Food
Where to eat fresh oysters in Portland
These three spots offer standout selections of the bivalve mollusks served in unique ways.
August 2, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
Dancers wearing pink and red silk dresses arrance themselves in a group on stage. Behind them you can see large red Chinese drums. One woman in the center holds a rose.
Events
Celebrate culture and cuisine at the Oregon Chinese Festival
The event put on by the Oregon Chinese Coalition returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square for the fifth time with dance and musical performances, food vendors, and community outreach.
August 1, 2024
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Ben McBee
A yellow warehouse next to train tracks with a rainbow arching over its roof.
Culture
Q+A: Take a walk in a Portland photoblogger’s shoes
Mark McClure has taken 900+ walks in Portland over the past 14 years, documenting each walk with the help of a camera and sharing his images online.
July 31, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
A Google Street View image taken in 2024 of a large industrial building with a billboard of a soccer player that reads "This is Soccer City." The Steel Bridge is visible in the background.
Real Estate
What would you do with this 3-acre riverfront property near Moda Center?
The former Louis Dreyfus Co. grain terminal listing highlights the site’s potential as a mixed-use redevelopment.
July 29, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
LAIKA_CCCT_Teri_04_Web.png
Culture
LAIKA Studios to blaze trail of ‘Coraline’ cats in downtown Portland
Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail will be a free urban trail featuring sculptures hand-painted by local artists.
July 29, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
Portland aerial shot of downtown with mountains in the background and a search bar that reads "Portland 1999"
Culture
Portland’s 1999 time capsule
What was Portland like at the turn of the millennium? We took a look back at the final year of the 20th century to see what life was like pre-Y2K.
July 26, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
People sit under a canopy by the sidewalk for outdoor dining at Montelupo in Northeast Portland.
Play
Outstanding outdoor dining in Portland
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Portland’s many beautiful patios.
July 26, 2024
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Ben McBee
A large elm tree with bare branches towers over a five-story brick building in downtown Portland in winter.
Travel and Outdoors
154-year-old elm tree in downtown Portland to be cut down
The elm tree, officially known as Heritage Tree #1, sustained major damage last winter.
July 25, 2024
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Cambrie Juarez
Members of the USA Beer Mile team pose at the finish line, holding beers and raising their hands.
Sports
Unsanctioned Olympic events that Portland would dominate
If these sports were approved by the International Olympic Committee, Rose City residents would surely take home the gold.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee