We’ll take “City of Roses” for 400

Did you know these interesting facts about Portland?

An aerial photo shows downtown Portland and the Willamette River

If you know, you know. | Photo via @perspective.counts

Did you know Portland got its name from a coin flip?

Okay, that was an easy one. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there are plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Portland’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

Either way, test your local knowledge with these 15 interesting facts.

Today, Swan Island is an industrial park at the base of the Skidmore Bluffs, but from 1927-1940, the peninsula served as Portland’s airport. Material that was dredged to expand the Willamette River’s main navigation channel was also used to build the 900-acre runway. It’s hard to imagine planes landing there now.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog, the real-life canine hero that inspired the Disney classic “Homeward Bound,” is buried in the Oregon Humane Society’s animal cemetery in Northeast Portland. Six months after disappearing on the Brazier family’s camping trip in Indiana, the two-year-old Scotch collie mix showed up on their doorstep — in Silverton, Oregon. He had traveled 2,800 miles in the dead of winter to get back.

Lord Almighty, we feel our temperature rising.

Corporate-lawyer-turned-artist Stephanie Pierce’s coin-operated art gallery was one of Portland’s premier tourist attractions from 1985 until 2013, when it closed shop. Behold: the 24 Hour Church of Elvis. At this street-facing window, visitors could input varying amounts of cash and receive a sermon — and even a legal marriage — from the King of Rock and Roll.

Whale, this one’s a bummer. In 1931, an orca became stuck in the Columbia Slough, causing quite the frenzy in the city. Crowds gathered to witness the spectacle, and locals gave it several names, like Ethelbert, Oswald, and Moby Mary. Eventually, two men killed the animal with harpoons (they were arrested), and afterward, it was displayed at various locations in a 400-gallon tank of formaldehyde. Following a lengthy legal battle and an exhumation, the body was ultimately reburied on a mountain north of Washougal.

11 MORE FOR YOUR TRIVIA TOOLBELT

Did our fun facts surprise you?

A. Yes, I didn’t know any of these
B. I knew a few but there were still some surprises
C. I know my city well and knew all these already

LET US KNOW

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Monday, October 10

Terrible, Thanks for Asking | Mon., Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland | $35.00 | Tune into a live production of the award-winning narrative podcast, which explores real people’s complex and honest feelings about life.
Dine the Couve | Now-Mon., Oct. 31 | Times vary | Participating restaurants in Clark County, WA | It’s officially dining month in Vancouver, Washington — enjoy 3 for $25 and 3 for $35 specialty menus at participating restaurants.*

Tuesday, October 11

No Talkie Tuesdays! Silent Movie International Horror Night! | Tue., Oct. 11 | 5 p.m. | Star Theater, 13 NW Sixth Ave., Portland | Free | The spooky films on screen won’t make any noise, so please try to hold in your screams.
PDX Songwriters in the Round | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland | $10.00 | Hear from a selection of talented and local musicians in an intimate setting.
Telescope Tuesdays! | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville | Free | Join astronomers with the Carlton Observatory to peer up at the night sky and its uncountable wonders.
Winterhawks vs. Edmonton Oil Kings | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $26.00 | The visitors may think they’re slick, but nothing gets past the flying home team.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MAKE THIS WEEK EVENTFUL

Weather

77º | Sunny with a few afternoon clouds | 5% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:20 a.m.
Set: 6:33 p.m.

Today Is

Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Oregon. Proclaimed in 2021 by Gov. Kate Brown, this holiday honors the past, present, and future of Native people in the state. Here’s a list of local closures. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
World Mental Health Day — a day created in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Acknowledging this day can be as simple as taking several deep, grounding breaths or phoning a friend. If you’re looking for local resources, you can find them here, provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 🧠

Community

Multnomah County officials announced that a former Greyhound station will remain a shelter for those experiencing houselessness through at least this winter. The site at Northwest Sixth Avenue and Glisan Street has been a shelter since 2020, with nearly 100 beds for those in need. Plans to find a permanent replacement site are in the works. (Portland Tribune)
Edwards Center is celebrating the opening of two homes in Aloha, where people with developmental disabilities like Down syndrome and cerebral palsy can live with their families. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 4375 SW Edwards Pl. on Thurs., Oct. 13. (Beaverton Valley Times)

Edu

Congratulations are in order for Rosa Floyd, a kindergarten teacher in Woodburn, who has been named Oregon Teacher of the Year. The Guadalajara native teaches a bilingual immersion program at Nellie Muir Elementary School, where she also leads a Mexican folkloric dance group for students, staff, and parents within the district. 💃 (OPB)

Eat

Did someone say breakfast? One of Portland’s favorite sandwich shops, Sammich, is now offering a.m. options until 2 p.m. Roll out the bagels, eggs, bacon, ham + cheese because the combination options are stacked. What will you put on yours? (Eater Portland)

Drink

Migration Brewing’s Boozy Book Fair is tonight from 5-7 p.m. at its Glisan Pub. Partake in food, beer, and childhood nostalgia, courtesy of Maggie Mae’s Kids Bookshop — don’t worry, there will be reads for grown-ups. 📚

Sports

Needing just a draw at Real Salt Lake to reach the playoffs, the Portland Timbers stumbled on Sunday, losing 3-1. Dairon Asprilla’s deflected goal in the 87th minute was the only positive note during a lackluster performance that will see them miss the postseason for the first time since 2016. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Read

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Learn

Become bilingual — but make the learning process fun. Babbel’s bite-size, 10-minute lessons are designed to fit into your busy life, helping you learn a new language in as little as three weeks. Pro tip: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🗺️ *

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Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Recognizing Indigenous peoples in Portland, OR

A man wearing colorful traditional Native American garb and feathers dances

Painted Sky Northstar performed at Beaverton’s Ten Tiny Dances. | Photo by @benmcbeephoto

Did you know there are nine sovereign Native American nations located in Oregon? In fact, Portland has the ninth-largest Native American population in the country, and the city is built on the lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes.

If you’d like to educate yourself on their diverse culture and history, give these resources a try.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Center for Native American Art is located on the second and third floors of the Portland Art Museum, and consists of 3,500 prehistoric and historic objects created by some 200 cultural groups throughout North America.

Painted Sky Northstar Dance Company is a local nonprofit that preserves Indigenous traditions and culture through music, dance, and storytelling. Keep an eye out for the group’s performances at various community events throughout the year.

The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) also hosts camps and programming focused on academic and cultural enrichment.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: Well, after cultivating two plants and giving them hours of TLC, I harvested — checks notes — one itty bitty pumpkin. Looks like I’ll be paying a visit to one of these fine establishments.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Portland is an autumnal wonderland — check out our guide to its fall foliage.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Sophie Cloonan | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Terri Kiesenhofer | Advertise with us.

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