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1902
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First Pension system for city workers
City of Portland voters establish the first pension system, covering the fire and police forces.
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F&P D&R
History Page
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1903
19-Feb
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St. Johns Incorporated
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Auditor-
Archives
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1903
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Olmsted Brothers submit plans for the Lewis & Clark Exposition and a Parks Plan
Their proposals include what is now Forest Park, Mt. Tabor Park and Terwilliger Boulevard Scenic Parkway.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1904
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Portland Rose Society "Fiesta"
Predecessor to the Rose Festival, held 1904 - 1906.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1904
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President Theodore Roosevelt signs Public Law 206, the "Trespass Act," restricting access to the Bull Run watershed.
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Water Bureau History Page
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1905
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Lewis and Clark Exposition
Held on land created by filling in Guild's Lake in Northwest Portland. The Forestry Building won acclaim as "the world's greatest log cabin."
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Auditor-
Archives
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1906
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First official Chinese Consul appointed in Portland
In recognition of Portland's large Chinese population and trade importance the Chinese government appointed Moy Back Hin (a Portland millionaire) consul for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The fourth consul appointed in the U.S.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1907
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Oaks Amusement Park opens
From May 1 to October 1 over 350,000 people visited.
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History Page of
Parks&Recreation
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1907
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Parks Bond
$1,000,000 bond passed for the implementation of the Olmsted Plan.
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Auditor Elections History Page
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1907
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First Rose Festival
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Auditor-
Archives
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1908
12-Feb
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Ordinance approving the hiring of the first policewoman (as a detective)
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Auditor-
Archives
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1908
1-Apr
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Lola Greene Baldwin is hired as "Superintendent of the Women's Auxiliary to the Police Department for the Protection of Girls." This made Baldwin the first municipally paid policewoman in the U.S. |
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Image courtsey of Portland Police Historical Society
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1909
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Portland to Seattle Railroad completed
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1909
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First motorcycle policeman
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Police
Traffic Division History Page
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1909
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Broadway Bridge Bond
Voters authorized the construction of the Broadway Bridge with a $450,000 bond.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1910
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City of Linnton Incorporated
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Auditor-
Archives
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1910
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First Forest Park purchase
City began purchasing Forest Park land.
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Bureau of Parks
& Recreation
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1910
8-Nov
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Public Docks Commission formed
Created by a 1910 charter amendment.
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population:
207,214
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Auditor-
Archives
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1910
19-Dec
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Hawthorne Bridge opens
Built by the City at a cost of $500,000.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1911
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Reservoirs 5 & 6 completed
Both on Mt Tabor. Increased in-city holding capacity by 125 million gallons.
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Water Bureau History Page
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1912
12-Aug
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Steel Bridge opens
It is claimed to be the only telescoping vertical lift bridge in the world and is the second oldest vertical lift bridge in North America. Built by Union and Southern Pacific Railroads for $1.7 million.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1912
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Portland's First Rose Garden
Peninsula Park's rose garden was designed by Park Superintendent Mische. Ladd's Circle was also planted with roses.
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History Page of
Parks&Recreation
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1912
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Lents annexed to Portland
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Auditor-
Archives
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1912
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Bennett Plan adopted
Bennett, a Chicago architect, prepares the "Greater Portland Plan", predicting that Portland will grow to 2,000,000 and will include all the population within a twenty-mile radius.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1912
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Bubblers commissioned
Simon Benson donates money to install 4-bowl drinking fountains downtown.
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Water Bureau History Page
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1912
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The Water Bureau begins selling water to the City of Gresham as its first major wholesale customer.
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Water Bureau History Page
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1913
13-Apr
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Release of an "audit" of Portland government by the New York Bureau of Municipal Research.
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Auditor's Office
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1913
22-Apr
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Broadway Bridge opens
Built by the City at a cost of $1.6 million.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1913
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First traffic signal
At SW Fifth and Washington.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1913
3-May
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A new charter providing for a commission form of government passes
Narrowly approved by voters with a 47 percent turnout.
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Auditor - Elections Archives
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1914
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Portland Branch of the NAACP formally recognized
The oldest branch west of the Mississippi River to be continuously chartered.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1914
May
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The Central Public Market opens
Also known as the Yamhill Market. Originally named the Carroll Market after John Carroll, the editor of the Evening Telegram.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1915
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City of St. Johns Annexed to Portland
City of St. Johns, incorporated 1903 - 1915.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1915
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Linnton Annexed to Portland
City of Linnton, incorporated 1910 - 1915.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1917
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Interstate Bridge opens
The first span of the I-5 Bridge from Portland to Vancouver begins operation.
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Bureau of Parks
& Recreation
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1917
4-Jul
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Portland Public Auditorium dedicated
Cost: $600,000.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1917
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International Rose Test Garden established
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Bureau of Parks
& Recreation
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1917
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George L. Baker elected
Beginning a 16-year period as Mayor.
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Mayor's Office
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1917
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Parks Superintendent Keyser appointed
Charles Paul Keyser served as Parks Superintendent from 1917 until 1949.
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History Page of
Parks&Recreation
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1918
4-Jul
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First nine holes of Eastmoreland Municipal Golf Course open for play
The first of the municipal courses. The fee was 25 cents per round.
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History Page of
Parks&Recreation
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1918
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The first Planning Commission formed by seven volunteers
Later to become the Bureau of Planning.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1918
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Spanish Influenza outbreak
Public Auditorium used as infirmary.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1919
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Zoning defeated
Portland, New York and St. Louis propose a zoning ordinance. The ordinance is defeated 30,631 to 30,085 and branded a "long-haired attempt to invade private enterprise".
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Bureau of
Planning
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1919
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Realty Board established a 'code of ethics'
Realtors could be subject to dismissal for selling real estate outside of certain designated areas of Portland to African Americans.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1920
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population:
258,288
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1921
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Cheney Plan Published
Plan of major traffic streets, boulevards and park system to address growing traffic and congestion problems.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1921
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Police Sunshine Division established
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Police Bureau
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1924
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First zoning code
Written by the Planning Commission and the Portland Realty Board it contains four zones: 1) single-family residence, 2) single or multi-family residence, 3) general business and light manufacturing and 4) unrestricted. No height restrictions are proposed.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1924
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First gasoline powered bus
Ran on East 39th Avenue.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1924
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First one-way street
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Auditor-
Archives
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1925
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The report "Future Bridges" proposes new bridges at Interstate or Overlook Avenue and Morrison Street. The opening of the Fremont Bridge in 1973 marks the completion of the bridges in the proposal.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1925
15-Dec
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Sellwood Bridge opens
Built by Multnomah County for $541,000.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1926
28-May
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Burnside Bridge opens
Built by Multnomah County for $4.5 million. The second at this location, the other built in 1894.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1926
21-Dec
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Ross Island bridge opens
Built by Multnomah County for $1.9 million and taken over by the State in 1976.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1926
Dec
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Vista Bridge opens
Cost: $200,000.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1926
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Portland has more cars per capita than Chicago or New York
Portland makes way for the now dominant mode of transportation by widening select streets to 120 feet to serve as arterials connecting principal parts of the city.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1927
Sept
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Opening of the Swan Island Airport
Replaced the municipal field at Westmoreland Park. Charles Lindbergh flew in as part of the opening ceremonies.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1927
1-Nov
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Public Service Building completed
Then the tallest building in Oregon. The building housed Portland Gas and Coke Co. and Northwestern Electric (later Pacific Power and Light).
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Auditor-
Archives
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1928
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Steam Fireboats replaced
By three gasoline-powered fireboats.
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Fire Bureau
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1929
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Bull Run Dam 1 completed
11 billion gallon reservoir is formed behind it.
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Bureau of
Water Works History Page
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1929
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Harbor wall completed
Cost: $2.7 million.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1930
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population:
301,815
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Auditor-
Archives
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1931
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Burnside street widening project
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Auditor-
Archives
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1931
13-Jun
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St Johns Bridge opens
Built by Multnomah County for $3.9 million.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1931
2-Sep
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Current N/S-E/W grid for Portland established
Ordinance number 61325 established the new system and for the renumbering of buildings and renaming of streets.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1932
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Bartholomew Report published
Report on proposed system of major streets and development of waterfront.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1932
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The retail center shifts from Front Street to Fourth and Fifth Streets
Lack of bridge access, flooding and obsolete wharfs cause rapid deterioration of the waterfront.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1933
1-Jan
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Meier and Frank expands downtown store to 15 stories
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Auditor-
Archives
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1933
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George Baker leaves office
Baker was the first 4 term mayor under the commission form of government and also served for nine years as a councilman.
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Mayor's Office
|
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1933
15-Dec
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The Public Market building opens for business
The market was located on the waterfront in direct opposition to the newly published Bartholomew Plan.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1933
Aug
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Construction of Barbur Blvd completed
Civic emergency relief project. Cost: $575,602. Called the Fourth St extension.
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Auditor-
Archives
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1935
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The Federal Civil Works Administration completes WW. Amburn's Proposed Mass Transit Plan
It recommends that streetcars be removed from the Broadway, Burnside and Morrison Bridges.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1936-37
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Urban development slows down
The Planning Commission shifts focus from directing expansive growth to preventing premature obsolescence and blight.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1938
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A ten-year park program to purchase land for additional neighborhood parks, playgrounds and play fields is approved.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1940
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population:
305,394
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1941
|
|
Portland Columbia Airport opens
New airport on north side of what is now Portland International Airport. Construction was aided by WPA funding.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1941
11-Dec
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The Housing Authority of Portland created
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Auditor-
Archives
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1941
|
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Shipyards Employ New Workers
Henry Kaiser's three new shipyards employ workers by the train load from Chicago and New York. Many workers are African-Amercian. By 1944, about 150,000 workers are supporting the war effort.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1942
12-Sep
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Groundbreaking ceremonies for Vanport
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1942
2-Apr
|
|
WPA codification project establishes the first Planning and Zoning code
The compiled code replaced approximately 205 separate ordinances.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1942
|
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War Housing
War Zoning code adopted allowing higher density development for workers for the war effort.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1942
|
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Council Calls for Evacuation
Council adopts resolution 22113 urging the Federal Government to evacuate Japanese citizens from the area.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1943
|
|
Robert Moses Report published
Entitled "Portland Improvement," it recommended the construction of Harbor Drive and today's freeways.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1943
|
|
The Portland Area Post War Development Committee formed
World War II turns Portland into a major shipbuilding center with the Federal Government constructing thousands of new housing units at Vanport for the 67,000 people streaming into Portland.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1943
26-Aug
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First female Commissioner
Dorothy McCollough Lee appointed in 1943 and elected in 1944.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1943
|
|
Urban League of Portland formed
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Bureau of
Planning
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1945
|
|
The first post-war Japanese owned business opens
Kimoshita Vegetable and Fruit Market on Columbia Blvd.
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Auditor-
Archives
|
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1946
|
|
Two-way Radios
Fire Crews and Motorcycle Police previously used call boxes for communication.
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Fire and Police
bureaus
|
|
1947
|
|
Redlining on Housing Maps
Federal postwar housing mortgage insurance program issued maps using red ink to indicate bad risk areas, targeting minority areas including NE Portland.
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Bureau of
Planning
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1948
31-May
|
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Vanport Flood
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1948
25-Sep
|
|
Formal public dedication of Forest Park
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1948
|
|
The Civic Center Report
Proposes a City and State building be erected next to Chapman and Lownsdale Squares, construction of a freeway loop to alleviate traffic congestion, off-street automobile parking and street improvements made to facilitate the use of the automobile in downtown.
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Bureau of
Planning
|
|
1948
2-Nov
|
|
First female mayor elected
Dorothy McCullough Lee.
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|
Mayor's Office
History Page
|
|
1950
|
|
Electric trolleys are torn out to make room for the automobile.Minnesota Freeway, also known as Interstate 5, is proposed.
|
|
population:
373,628
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Bureau of
Planning
|
|
1950
|
|
One-way street grid system established
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1950
|
|
Commission on Intergroup Relations
Created by ordinance of the City Council to investigate "problems arising between groups in the City of Portland which may result in tension or discrimination on account of race, color, religion, or national origin or descent."
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Metropolitan Human Rights Commission History Page
|
|
1950
|
|
Civil Rights Ordinance Defeated
City of Portland anti-discrimination ordinance defeated in referendum by petition in the general election.
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Auditor Elections History Page
|
|
1950
|
|
The Planning Commission employs five staff with $27,650 budget.
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Bureau of
Planning
|
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1950
|
|
Last street car to Council Crest
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Auditor-
Archives
|
|
1951
|
|
Lloyd Keefe begins as Planning Director
He served as director of the Planning Commission from 1951 to 1972.
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Bureau of
Planning
|
|
1951
|
|
Northwest Plan proposed
Protects residential use and bans industry development in Northwest close to Downtown.
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Bureau of
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