Memories from far afield 🏟️

Multnomah Field’s storied past

An aerial view of Multnomah Stadium circa 1940. | Photo via Portland City Archives

Portland’s premier outdoor sporting venue has gone by many names.

But before it was Providence Park, Jeld-Wen Field, Portland General Electric (PGE) Park, or even Civic Stadium, the crown jewel of the Goose Hollow neighborhood was a modest, amateur athletic facility known as Multnomah Field. Over the course of its 130-year history, it’s hosted everything from dog races to presidential visits.

Nothing beats front row seats to history.

🏆 Early days

In the spring of 1893, the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club (MAAC), an offshoot of local football and cricket clubs, constructed a grandstand at Multnomah Field in Tanner Creek Gulch. By 1900, the club’s growing membership (~1,500 people) necessitated an even larger facility, so a clubhouse was built just east of the field.

President William Howard Taft gave a speech on the field in 1909, and one year later, a catastrophic fire razed several blocks, including the MAAC structures. They were rebuilt in 1911, and former President Teddy Roosevelt set the cornerstone for a new clubhouse.

It wasn’t until 1926 that Multnomah Stadium was built on the site for $500,000 — that’s $8,267,090 today. Architects Morris Whitehouse and A.E. Doyle designed a 35,000-seat half-horseshoe complex; its upper seating bowl and wooden benches are still in use today.

A ski jump installed in 1953 built excitement for upcoming winter games at Mount Hood.

⚽ Let the games begin

The 1930 University of Oregon-University of Washington football game hosted there drew a crowd of 35,266, at that point the largest ever to witness a football game in the Pacific Northwest. By 1933, pari-mutuel betting was legalized, opening the door for the Multnomah Kennel Club to operate dog races. When the track was removed in 1956, the Portland Beavers, a minor league baseball team, moved over from Vaughn Street Park. In 1966, the stadium was sold to the city of Portland, which installed the nation’s first outdoor multi-purpose artificial turf in 1969.

Other memorable chapters include a 150-ft ski jump, hosting the first NFL game to go to overtime, a concert by Elvis Presley, Brazilian legend Pelé’s final professional soccer game, and the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals.

After being an on-and-off home for the Timbers since the team’s inception in 1975, it became the franchise’s permanent ground with its induction into MLS in 2011, also welcoming the Thorns in 2013.

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Monday, Jan. 16

Reclaim Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, Jan. 16 | 1 p.m. | Peninsula Park, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland | Free | Everyone is invited to this march for human rights and dignity that aims to uplift the voices of Black people.
Bridgetown Trivia | Monday, Jan. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland | Free | Take your knowledge to the patio to come out on top.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Dita Von Teese: GLAMONATRIX | Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 7 p.m. | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $25-$129.50 | The ever-dazzling International Queen of Burlesque elevates and modernizes the classic 1940’s variety show with inspiring body positivity.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

“Shen Yun” | Wednesday, Jan. 18-Sunday, Jan. 22 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $80-$180 | Classic stories of love and loss, of humor and heroic deeds come to life in this tale set in ancient China.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $24+ | We would all love a victory.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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 DIFFERENT

Weather

47º | Showers | 37% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:46 a.m.
Set: 4:45 p.m.

Announced

Well, that suds. Organizers of the Oregon Brewers Festival have decided to cancel the July 2023 event. After more than three decades, higher costs, lower attendance, and extreme weather were just a few of the many challenges that factored into the decision. The statement added, “OBF will return when the time is right.” 🍺

Coming Soon

Portland loves Portland. Later this month, two pop-up events will connect culinary minds from our New England namesake with Rose City restaurants. Magna Kusina and Mr. Tuna will present a tasting menu with Japanese and Filipino flair, while Eem and Crispy Gai are teaming up for tasty Thai dishes. 🦞 (Portland Monthly)

Outdoors

The Portland Audubon’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program is flying to new heights. The effort, which provides resources and collaboration for people looking to garden sustainably and create wildlife habitats, recently marked a major milestone of enrolling its 10,000th property across four counties and 2,500 acres. 🐦

Sports

At this year’s NWSL Draft, the Thorns put the petal to the mettle adding four new players. With the fifth, 12th, 24th, and 36th picks, Portland selected Reyna Reyes, Izzy D’Aquila, Lauren DeBeau, and Lauren Kozal. Read more about what they’ll bring to the squad as it seeks its fourth championship. ⚽ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Number

288. That’s how many vanity license plates were denied in Oregon last year. The Oregon DMV utilizes Google and Urban Dictionary to help uphold its strict rules, tossing out anything that might be alarming, threatening, offending, or misleading. BREWS, BURB4N, and T00TED were all thrown out — read the full list. 🚫 (KOIN)

Eat

Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *

Drink

Going dry this month? Give it your all with Athletic Brewing Company’s non-alcoholic craft beers. From IPAs to goldens, they have brews for whenever + wherever works for you. Subscribe to get 50% off your first month (terms + conditions apply). *

Seasonal

If you’ve got sticker shock from your winter energy bills, it’s time to break out the space heater. Solve chilly mornings the energy efficient way with the Dr. Infrared Heater that warms objects, not the air. Hello, cozy legs. Bonus: Heat your patio with infrared, too. 🔥 *

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: You’ve probably driven down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but did you know Portland also has a statue dedicated to the activist? “The Dream” sits outside of the Oregon Convention Center and was unveiled on the 35th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Read more about his visit to Rose City.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Join the MLK Day of Service around Portland.

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Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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