PORTLAND, OREGON: THEN AND NOW

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It's been a while but I am back with a fresh installment of Portland: Then and Now. This one's longer than my previous ones as I never passed up and opportunity to reference other little historical nuggets while I traveled the city. In this one I focus on the Eliot and Irvington neighborhoods for locations to compare including traveling through the Rose Quarter, historic Albina, and a few beautiful blocks of Northeast Portland. Enjoy!

[@herbtarlic892]

Unbelievable! Only 15 minutes ago I just finished watching your video of a section of Portland that went through "urban renewal", and the plight of the hundreds of people who were forced out of their homes to satisfy a few wealthy power brokers. I was moved to comment on the destruction I saw in your film, especially the "Then and Now" photo montage at the end, which made me cry. Then I came across this video, not realizing that it was yours, (thanks, algorithms!) where you're showing me even more photos of beautiful old buildings that are now only memories. As I stated in my previous comment, it's no different in my own city of Toronto. And it's still going on today. Soon, every city will have lost its history , its context, and as is always the case, any beauty and joy that it once had. Thanks so much for showcasing the evolution of your city is such a creative way.

[@rogstar1968]

man this is awesome. from your #1 competitor a Seattlite my crew used to visit portland back in the 90's seattle and portland were the best places to be back then the kids will never know!

[@WestCoastBuilder]

Wow, so happy I found this channel. I've been playing a city building game to create a "Sorta' Realistic" Portland style city. And knowing stuff like this helps my builds immensely!

[@cynsheppard983]

I just discovered you. You are awesome. I have lived in Gresham since 1957. I went to Centennial High School. Class of 69. Love your stories. Congratulations on your wedding. ❤ Keep up the good work ❤❤❤

[@LesStephens-xe6qp]

Hi Steve, great show. I Love "Then and Now". I was born in Portland in 1949 and lived in various parts of the city all my life. My great grand parents arrived here in 1896 and I heard many stories from the old days. I was always interested in the history and tried to imagine what it was like in the early years. If possible I would love to talk with you and share some stories.

[@TheGryphonSun]

I lived on 63rd street and went to Kellogg (all red brick cool) school 1964. They tore it down to my horror and built a modern school in about 2018. I used to walk to the school every day about a couple long blocks, rain (galoshes) or shine. There was a Victorian house a couple of doors down where I’d visit an old lady, Mrs Myers. Milk bottles were delivered and one time o was helping by trying to bring in her change in the empty bottle. Ended up tripping and got cut by the broken bottle. I was 7 and a clutz. A complete dramatic trauma that day!

[@FredStewartPDX]

I am surprised you did not mention that this was the black community before it was destroyed to make way for the Coliseum. The Oregon Historical Society has a lot of information regarding this.

[@UppersDownersAllarounders]

For anyone who says Portland isn't racist... go to KZbin

[@cynthiamclellan6745]

​@@Azazel2024WOW - Jerk

[@garykennedy1707]

Thank you so much for telling us this information. The white terrorist government would like nothing more than for us to forget about this.

[@FredStewartPDX]

@@Azazel2024 It is about Portland history. I grew up here Terence and I love history. Unlike a troll like you I have traced my family back t beyond the Revolutionary War. I love Portland and I feel history needs to be as accurate as possible if it is going to have any value at all. You are obviously an immigrant to Portland. Please feel free to visit do not feel any necessity to stay here...LOL

[@FredStewartPDX]

@@Azazel2024 A large part of it was. close to 50% and that is where 85% of the Black population of Portland lived until the late 1950's In my early years of real estate back in the 1980s I heard many discussions of regret by the white men that led that project and others that felt they should have stepped in earlier. unlike you they were men who loved Portland and they saw where they made mistakes and they shared their experience with young men like me both black and white so we did not make the same.

[@kimcastle4081]

I live near Gordon’s and was sad when the fire dept put the U up on the side. So hoping it will not end up demoed. Thank you for another great video!

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

The NE corner of Vancouver and Fremont (newer apartments north of New Seasons) was a Les Schwab store during my childhood in the 1970s.

[@joenuts5167]

NOT THE LES SCHUAB THE CULTURE IS GONE NOOO

[@PrettyCraftD]

Happy you called it the Rose Quarter rather then the Moda center

[@haumea420]

I’ll never call it the Moda center. That’s the 🥀 Garden and always will be!!!

[@nesumner]

That new season store used to be the Hostess Bakery. They tore it down and put in the new seasons

[@sueandeva573]

Your tidbits got me hooked. I like your content very much.

[@dottyanaya]

Love this! I just discovered you today!

[@jwaller132]

Hey! I just discovered your channel about a week ago and I'm really enjoying watching these videos. It's fascinating to see the historic locations you feature. Keep up the good work!

[@patrickneve]

Love the channel and this episode. Have to say, I love the old commercial stretches that became open grassy areas. We could use more of those. Keep up the great work.

[@RickyD1968]

I I'm 55 yrs old and I have lived in Portland Oregon all my life and this city has changed and drown so much since i can remember. It is crazy to see how Portland Oregon became a City back in 1851 !!!

[@wasy35]

I go to South East Prtland often - it's kinda nice still.

[@michaelcase8574]

Sometimes you will see a street name and year embossed on the sidewalk that does not jive with the street sign. This is an example of the grest renaming.

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

I grew up near 18th and Fremont, so I enjoyed this tour of before and after. Thanks!

[@jackpaulcollins]

“One of portlands most famous sniping incidents” 😂

[@michellelangdon5134]

You found a lot of great before pictures! I these videos! Great job Steve!

[@gaylehooper8837]

Excellent job on this, as usual…keep em coming!

[@TheKeeperMadz]

Hi thanks to you I know more about portland region than I do about my own town I've 40 years in. God I can't believe I've been living here for 40 years but it's going downhill fast.

[@adriennerowe3937]

Forgot to add. If you don’t know, there is (or was) a museum at the downtown police department. If it is still there. Free, and pretty cool old police tools of their trade.

[@brianf4342]

Awesome Wish you could do this around all the states , just hope for more views!

[@adriennerowe3937]

I used to live at 13 & SE Yamhill. There was still a ring in the curb, what they used to tie the horses to. Now I want to go back and see if it still there!

[@buckfeero2022]

I wrote about the bakery building on North Tillamook - very close to the Moda Center. The building is being auctioned but is presently mostly vacant, I've been a tenant for years and have access to the majority of the building including the grain silo you can see from the freeway. It's wild inside, I would love to find pictures of that bakery in operation.. it's an amazing place that's about to go through a big change...

[@lthud9576]

I used live off tillamook and Williams in 2008 . Wow, that place would be neat to work.

[@carolclmcm1214]

I don’t live in Portland and never have but I would love to. Love your videos and the vibe of Portland.

[@OhItsThat]

I miss the gas station tuned car wash that was on the corner of Vancouver and Fremont.

[@lisad476]

As always Thank you so much

[@sueandeva573]

I still have my Gordon's fireplace glass cover, in good shape.

[@WilliamAlsdorf-j6j]

I like what you are doing but I wish you would linger a bit longer on the old pictures. I for one barely have time to take them in before you revert to modern view/ commentary.

[@Azazel2024]

I still can't believe I've spent 40 years here. It wasn't much of a town in 1981

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

The “number man” has been discussed in “You Know You Grew Up in Portland When” group.

[@marykazeck1449]

Hey Steve... makes me miss home

[@BeingMe23]

When did you leave?

[@marykazeck1449]

@@BeingMe23 1998

[@RevivalPortland]

At least a few buildings are remaining from the old days that's progress

[@SisterSherryDoingStuff]

LOL Knott and MLK corner - used to be Bridges restaurant - and I lived above and there's a house behind it I used to live in. My ex owns all that property. BTW - don't take your camera up to Dawson Park - not a good idea.

[@bennetfox]

At one point in time MLK Jr. Boulevard was called Union Avenue.

[@lthud9576]

It might be nice to do the historical Black walking tour.

[@Azazel2024]

Why is it always about you ? Jesus.

[@bradleymorris8875]

@@Azazel2024who wants to watch a video inside a prison.

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

Schuyler is pronounced “Skyler”

[@glennwebster1675]

I lived there than and would never live there now!

[@RivhardDavenport]

I FIND OLD PICTURES AMAZING. ITS THE CLOSEST THING YOU CAN GET TO A TIME MACHINE THAT WE CAN GET. I AM AMAZED THAT PHOTOGRAPHY EVEN WAS INVENTED AT ALL!!!

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

The sidewalk at 17th and Tillamook is cut unusually because of that previous tree overgrowth.

[@deanrivera8016]

Looking forward to seeing this !!!

[@nancysaso4380]

You didn't talk about the White Eagle Saloon!

[@Azazel2024]

Why, it was a seedy dive

[@BreadLobby]

Thats my neighborhood! NORTH SIDE REPRESENT

[@ShortArmOfGod]

NBGAF

[@loissmith577]

Awesome ❤

[@IIIDaKoNIII]

Funny. I always pronounced it "Skyler" street my whole life. And I lived close to it in on the east side lol.

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

Someone else told me that’s how it was spelled too after I did the video so I actually think I was the one who got it wrong.

[@IIIDaKoNIII]

@@StevetheAmateurHistorian I do greatly appreciate the videos. Lots of areas I know and grew up and lived. Always great to see how it was, to how it is.

[@lthud9576]

Wow, did mentioned how it was a historical Black neighborhood with a thriving commercial district where the land was was stolen. Did ya mention the redlining?!?. Surprise ya didn't pass the Billy Web Elk Lounge, Matt Dishman. I have lots of memories of Boise-Eliot neighborhood. This is where I grew up!!

[@Azazel2024]

Nobody " stole " the land . Clown

[@Azazel2024]

Waaaag

[@BeingMe23]

#portlandoregon #PDX #Rosecity #PNW #Historical

[@moonbeam7702]

@47:50-48:00 The fountain is gone also

[@missieyoung3643]

I worked at Boise School in the late 70s. There were still a few older buildings in the area but it’s a shame. The school was still very much a neighborhood gathering spot. Too many changes to the black neighborhoods.

[@tgirard123]

Love love love these videos !!! Notice what you're not seeing, you're not seeing homelessness everywhere, you're not seeing crime, you're not seeing a bunch of riff Raff going by. That's because Portland is a a very safe City. It is a city and there is homelessness and crime and all those things, but the way social media has made Portland out to be some homelessness bastion is just not true. Even when they legalize drugs, it got bad but it wasn't as crazy as they were making it out to be. Come on up to the Rose City, you'll have a great time.

[@annettefabiano3578]

I love the wedge shaped building that used to be at the corner of Albina and Larabee. I moved to Portland in the late Seventies right after the demolition of the Old Albina district. I found it it interesting that you mentioned the Black Panther meeting spots. It made me wonder if the folks at City Hall panicked over the Panther business. Could that maybe have something to do with the gutting of this neighborhood? Maybe the Hospital expansion story was the "clean version excuse" to demolish the neighborhood. Just wondering.

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

It’s possible, if nothing else they could’ve seen it as an added bonus to the project cause they City did everything they could to get rid of Portland’s Black Panther chapter. They even tried blaming the bombings of a McDonalds in the area on members with zero evidence. So messed up how pretty much every major project from the late 50s into the 70s led to the displacement of people living in poverty/people of color be it this hospital protect, the South Auditorium Urban Renewal Project, the building of the Memorial Coliseum, the building of I-5 and so on.

[@Buckseed]

You passed the White Eagle Saloon and Weidmir Brewery...it would be cool to hear about the history of that area.

[@Azazel2024]

Not if you cant spell it

[@Buckseed]

@@Azazel2024 WTF does that mean, Boi?

[@Buckseed]

Nice video. We used go to the offices near the children's hospital on Vancouver often so I'm familiar with the area. Wow! That bar and diner is now closed on Vancouver and Russell. Too bad, because it had inexpensive beers.

[@Buckseed]

I grew up in Stockton. Most of the school building were torn down due to earthquake safety in the mud 70s. Many of the Portland school buildings remind me of those schools.

[@Azazel2024]

ITS becoming a shthole like Stockton as well

[@Buckseed]

@terenceflanagan1225 Yeah, you can't be a puzzy growing up in Stockton that's for sure! 💯