Transit and Transport

November 28, 1969: Portland Agrees to Take Over Rose City Transit, Transfer to Tri-Met

November 28, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

On November 28, 1969 Portland’s City Council entered into an agreement with Rose City Transit and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District (Tri-Met) paving the way for Tri-Met to take over Portland mass transit operation (The Oregonian, 29 November 1969).

With the possibility of a bus strike 48 hours away, the City Council entered an agreement Friday by which the city Monday [December 1, 1969] will begin operating Transit buses for the first time . . .

The council passed a pair of emergency ordinances prepared in advance by City Commissioner Francis Ivancie and the city attorney’s office. They provide:

– Execution of an agreement with Rose City Transit Co. under which RCT will turn over its plant and property to the city at 12:01 a.m. Monday.

– Immediate transfer of the plant and property, following its receipt by to city, to the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District.

Before the transfer Rose City Transit was the last privately-owned and operated big-city transit system on the Pacific Coast (Sunday Oregonian, 1 September 1968).

Holiday Express 2011

November 27, 2011 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Climb aboard the 2011 Holiday Express, beginning Friday, December 2.

Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you through wilderness in the heart of the city. Roundtrip rides run from Oaks Park Station through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge to the Springwater Trail gateway on the Oregon Pacific Railroad.

The Oregon Pacific Railroad operated trains depart Oaks Park Station for a 40 minute ride along the river. Somehow Santa Claus finds the time to make an appearance on each train!

There are six train rides on Fridays, December 2 and 9, and nine rides Saturdays and Sundays, December 3, 4, 10, and 11. For more details, including ticket information, visit the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation website.

Buy your tickets in advance! Proceeds from the tours go to help build a new engine house and the Rail Heritage Center in the OMSI District for Portland’s historic steam locomotives.

November 17, 1908: Regular Rail Service Commences Between Portland and Vancouver

November 17, 2011 by Dave Knows 1 Comment

Regular rail service across the Columbia between Portland and Vancouver began on November 17, 1908 (Morning Oregonian, 11 November 1908). The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Bridge 9.6, then known as the Spokane, Seattle and Portland Railroad bridge, was the first across the lower Columbia (it opened almost a decade before the Interstate Bridge), and at the time of completion was the longest steel bridge in the world (Morning Oregonian, 26 June 1908).

Two railroad tracks cross the 2,806-foot-long steel-truss bridge, which is still in use. The bridge features a pivoting swing span. The 9.6 in its name refers to its distance from Union Station in Portland.

November 15, 1973: Fremont Bridge Opens to Traffic

November 15, 2011 by Dave Knows 1 Comment

Portland’s Fremont Bridge, the second longest tied arch bridge in the world after China’s Caiyuanba Bridge, opened to automobile traffic on Thursday, November 15, 1973 (The Oregonian, 16 November 1973).

It was raining hard, so they opened the Fremont Bridge a little early Thursday.

It took longer than expected, however. The 1919 Chevrolet “Baby Grand” touring car, owned by Carter Helming of Tigard, which was to be the first vehicle over, wouldn’t start.

Helming’s passengers were Glenn Jackson, chairman of the State Transportation Commission, and Frank Branch Riley, 98, an attorney and longtime advocate of better highways in Oregon.

The old car leaned into the Highway Division’s blue and yellow ribbons across the bridge’s four traffic lanes. Then it wheezed, wheezed some more and finally had to be pushed through the ribbons by bystanders.

There were no speeches and a plaque commemorating the occasion was passed hurriedly to Jackson and Riley, who also signed a Portland Rosarian’s log for the event.

Some 30 autos, most of them more than 25 years old, followed the 1919 Chevrolet off the bridge’s west end before Highway Division personnel removed barriers at either end.

Until the Tilikum Crossing bridges is completed the $82 million Fremont is the newest bridge spanning the Willamette River in Portland. The bridge’s completion was the death knell of Harbor Driver along Portland’s west bank of the Willamette River, which is now Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Things to do in Portland on Thanksgiving Day (2011)

November 9, 2011 by Dave Knows 8 Comments

Update: Things to do in Portland on Thanksgiving Day (2012)

Coffee

Anna Bannanas (8716 N Lombard & 1214 NW 21st) is opening at 8:30am and closing when it slows down, probably early evening.

Cloud Seven Cafe (901 NW 10th) – is open 8am to 1pm on Thanksgiving Day.

The worker-owned Red & Black Cafe is open 10am to 7pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Beer and Booze

Barfly Magazine maintains a respectable list of bars open 365 days a year.

And here are some more picks:

Rialto (529 SW 4th) stays open 365 days a year, 9am to 2:30am. While drinking beer play some pinball and pool, watch football on the ginormous TVs, or place some off-track bets.

The Hop & Vine (1914 N Killingsworth) is open from 10am to 1pm Thanksgiving Day for last minute needs!

Many downtown hotel restaurants and bars will be open on Turkey Day.

Quite a few McMenamins will be open on Thanksgiving day. Check the calendar for holiday buffets and movie showings.

Bottles NW (5115 NE Fremont) opens at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day!

You can also place bets at the track: Portland Meadows is open on Thanksgiving Day, and is offering a special traditional breakfast for only $5 (free fo Portland Meadows Rewards Members).

And Prost (4237 N Mississippi) opens the doors on Thanksgiving Day at 6pm for their 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner, featuring, in addition to bier, booze, and hot cocktails for sale, a complimentary turkey dinner!

Henry’s Tavern (10 NW 12th) is open noon until 8pm, offering a special holiday menu.

The Radio Room (1101 NE Alberta) will be opening for Thanksgiving at 5pm to 2am, and will be featuring a turkey dinner special,and many drink specials.

Saraveza (1004 N Killingsworth) is open 9am to 1pm-ish on Thanksgiving Day for Packers Fans and last-minute holiday beer!

Restaurants

The Oregonian‘s Michael Russell has the roundup of Portland Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner.

Eater PDX also has some suggestions as to Where to Eat Out Turkey Day.

And PortlandFoodAndDrink.com‘s annual Thanksgiving Roundup is now live too!

Shopping

Avoid the holiday crowds that will ensue on Black Friday by visiting Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside location) on Black Friday Eve (aka Thanksgiving Day). The store will be open from 10am to 6pm.

Groceries

Though not likely to be open all day, many grocery and convenience stores will be open for limited Holiday hours. Usually from late morning until early afternoon.

Activities

The Oregon Zoo is open on Thanksgiving day, with special Beast Feasts for the animals.

Watch Oregon Zoo animals enjoy special snacks and Thanksgiving-themed enrichment items like papier-mâché turkeys stuffed with yummy treats.

In West Linn, you might consider participating in the Turkey Trot. If you’re into that sort of thing.

Many bowling alleys and movie theaters are open Thanksgiving Day!

Transit

TriMet buses and MAX, as well as the Portland Streetcar, will run on Sunday schedules.

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