Dave Knows Portland

Archives for June 2011

History Pub (20-June-2011)

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A Hollow, a Creek, and a "War About Geese": A History of Goose Hollow in Southwest PortlandA Hollow, a Creek, and a “War About Geese”: A History of Goose Hollow in Southwest Portland is the topic of the History Pub event this Monday, June 20, 2011 at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan)

A slide show of historical photos will be presented by Tracy J. Prince, author of the book Portland’s Goose Hollow.

Some insight from the book’s publisher comments:

One of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, Goose Hollow is steps from downtown and beloved for its quirky character, historic homes, spectacular views, and walkability. Over a century ago, the actual “hollow” was dramatically altered when the meandering Tanner Creek, in a deep gulch with several trestle bridge crossings, was diverted underground and infilled. The creek’s presence is still felt in the ravine carved through the Tualatin Mountains (spanned by the Vista Bridge) and in the neighborhood’s identity. This book provides definitive answers to how Goose Hollow got its name and how Tanner Creek Gulch was filled. Stories are also told of the Great Plank Road, City Park’s slow-moving landslide, and famous residents such as Daniel Lownsdale, C. E. S. Wood, Dr. Marie Equi, John Reed, and Bud Clark. Historic institutions such as Civic Stadium, Multnomah Athletic Club, Lincoln High School, and Washington Park are also featured.

In addition former mayor of Portland and proprietor of the Goose Hollow Inn, Bud Clark, will share his memories and photos of the neighborhood.

Doors open at 6pm, presentation begins at 7pm. All ages welcome and admission is free!

North American Organic Brewers Festival (June 24-26, 2011)

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North American Organic Brewers FestivalThe 2011 North American Organic Brewer Festival takes place Friday through Sunday, June 24-26 at Overlook Park (N Fremont and Interstate).

My favorite Portland beer festival celebrates its 7th year with 50 organic beers and ciders, live music, organic foods, vendors, and even activities for the kids. The beer selection looks to be more diverse than in previous years – it’s less than 25% IPAs for the first time I can remember! The Belgian and Farmhouse ales look interesting, and after enjoying the Fruit Beer Festival, I’m prepared to give the several fruit infused beers a shot.

Take the Yellow Line MAX to the fest – get off at the Overlook Park station (festival organizers encourage bicycling too, but drunk bicycling is dumb).

Admission is free, but the required taster cup is $6 ($5 with validated MAX ticket, ticket from the bike corral, or three cans of food to be donated to the Oregon Food Bank). Sample tokens are $1. The festival is open from noon until 9pm on Friday and Saturday, noon until 5pm on Sunday.

Hawthorne Boulevard: “Way Too Much Portland”

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Way Too Much PortlandThough the corner of Southeast 37th and Hawthorne is, fortunately, not anywhere near representative of Portland as a whole, it does provide spectacular people watching opportunities.

An anonymous individual (who evidence suggests may live above the Peet’s Coffee on said corner) has noted this preponderance of peculiarity and started a photo blog to spotlight the weird people and happenings:

I highly recommend a visit. You can also submit your own photos of crimes against fashion, hair, music, and the olfactory organs of passersby.

Hat tip @CarolynMain

June 18, 1846: Oregon Treaty Ratified by the Senate

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Oregon TerritoryThe Oregon Treaty, which established the border between British held Canada and the United States of America, was ratified by the U.S. Senate on June 18, 1846.

Negotiated by the James K. Polk administration, some American interests (including the Polk presidential campaign in 1844) demanded the border be established at 54° 40′, but the end result was the 49th parallel. Neither the British nor the USA had the stomach, at the moment, for more war.

Map credit: Map by Matthew Trump, used under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 license.

June 17, 1892: Bull Run Watershed Declared a National Forest Preserve

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Though plans were afoot years earlier to bring Bull Run water to Portland, it was on June 17, 1892 that President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed the Bull Run watershed a national forest reserve, thereby protecting the area from development that could have negatively effected the water quality.

Within a year, construction began on 24 miles of pipeline from Bull Run to Portland. This mammoth project of brush clearing, ditch digging, and road building was done largely by hand. The Water Committee began constructing reservoirs at Mt. Tabor and City Park (now known as Washington Park) and expanding the City’s distribution system. These ambitious public works projects continued through 1894.

Up until January 2, 1895, when the Bull Run water arrived in town, Portlanders made due with hearty river, well, and creek water (and the accompanying dysentery and typhoid).