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Official Description
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On August 3, 2005 the City Council approved the first official update to the city seal since September 17, 1964 . The new version provides a cleaner, crisper image that takes advantage of current reproduction technology, and continues to incorporate all of the design elements set forth in 1878.
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Most of the symbols in the seal were described in records found in the City Archives; the intent of the remaining symbols remain undocumented. The female figure in the center of the seal represents Commerce, while the sheaf of grain, cogwheel, and sledgehammer symbolize the origins of the city, its culture, agrarian base, and industry. Raymond Kaskey's 1985 sculpture, Portlandia, was based on the figure of Lady Commerce from the Portland City Seal.
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History
Versions of the City Seal used by offices during the years between original adoption in 1878 and standardization in 1964. From documents in the City of Portland Archives, located at the Stanley Parr Archives and Records Center.
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Seal from the "Annual Report of Officers of the City of Portland for the year 1879", printed in 1880. |
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Seal from an 1881 City of Portland bearer bond. |
1884 (City of East Portland)
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Seal from an 1884 City of East Portland bearer bond.
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Seal from an 1891 City of Portland bearer bond. |
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Seal from the 1924 City of Portland Department of Public Utilities letterhead. |
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Seal from a 1929 City of Portland street widening bond. |
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Seal from the 1941 City of Portland City Auditor letterhead. |
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Seal from the 1951 City of Portland Department of Public Works letterhead. |
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Official seal from 1964 to August, 2005.
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