THAT RANDOM PLACE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS

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Hey everyone! Just an extra little side project here while I'm busy working on some longer, more time consuming projects. A chance to put something out while thanking you all for my channel's more recent success.
In this video I discuss a place that has fascinated me since I was old enough to collect and keep memories. Every time my parents drove by it I had to stare in awe, and I got angry if I missed the chance to view it. And what's so interesting is that the place is hardly remarkable and yet it's captured the attention of many in the Portland area. There's lots of possible reasons for that and everyone has their own reason but I get the feeling it's garnered so much attention for more than one reason but rather a collection of them.
And I found a little history about the place, granted there isn't a whole lot out there so it is left to some mystery. While discussing this location and its little bit of history I also paid the place a visit (at least the best I could).
Enjoy!

[@mkbas1422]

I know about that building….in the 70’s it was Simpson Lumber. My father in law was the night watchman. They made lumber products. It’s funny it hasn’t been torn down by now. I enjoy your channel. Born and raised in Portland….

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

That’s so cool, with its placement I could see an interesting thing or two happening working security at that place.

[@Rderiley]

Dude! this is so EXTREMELY RELATEABLE, Im 30 y/o born in 1993, I grew up in Portland, I had my eyes out the window of my parents car as we would drive around town doing whatever we were doing, So many mystery buildings in Portland! i Miss PDX Keep up the good work Steve! I love your narration and way of presenting our videos, STEVE FOR PRESIDENT!

[@jonathanhatch8239]

Back in the 70s, my brother and I along with many friends used to sneak in there. It still had all the looms and knitting stuff. Every time I pass on 84 I think about that and am amazed that is still standing.

[@LesStephens-xe6qp]

I've known that building for years. From 1960 to 1963 I had a paper route in the neighborhood to north side. Ive crossed the 28th st bridge many a time. That building has always puzzled me. It seemed out of place. Thank you for your videos. Great job.

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

There was a lumber yard there ...The Graff World loves that spot..especially back in day ..the giant Marvin the Martain and RIP BORE were my favs! Great video Steve

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

I wish I had a better memory of what I saw as a little kid cause we passed it so much but I just gave this general recollection on what it looked like mostly back in the 90s.

[@duanedragon2]

You need a drone. Even a DJI Pro 3 would create some incredible footage. Love your channel. Thank you for this video.

[@chancemontgomery157]

Enjoy watching your videos, fellow portlandian for 2 years and learning the cities history is great! keep up the great videos!!

[@JDiaz-vm2wm]

I appreciate your work and history on the city man!! I worked at Gordon’s fireplace shop for 5 years back from 09’-13’ - so sad to see its current state all abandoned and tagged up 😭 as a local native born and raised in PDX I look forward to your videos!! Keep it up man! 👍🏽

[@mankoslic3]

Another great video Steve! Keep up the great work :)

[@pointofthisbeing]

Hah! I guessed right. Moved here 11 years ago; same experience. Thank ya, my friend.

[@artbyty]

I always remember that building as a kid going along that freeway everyday. The homeless camp you referenced was also an interesting thing to look at driving by.

[@ec9833]

I used to live in Portland…probably the city & metro area I’ve most lived in throughout my life…was COMPLETELY over the city/metro area by the time we left it. Zero interest in going back…but your videos are so freaking pleasant and nostalgic and almost even comforting. Just another reason why I don’t have to go back LOL. I’ll just watch one of your videos as they pop up and that’ll do it. 😌✌🏽

[@Mephistopholies]

I been at sea almost 2 years fishing. I miss portland; good stuff dude! When I was a kid I thought it was someone hiding Noah's ARK...

[@PirateStyle2013]

I used to get excited to look at the building too. Since the 80s

[@ChristinaClark-pv9kd]

Love your work🌹Awesome, as always 👍

[@beautifulmelancholy3883]

I lived in Sullivan's Gulch from September 1995 to March 2003. We owned the house on 2331 N.E. Wielder Street. I walked the whole of this neighborhood and often wondered what that building was Who chinese. I sure due miss Portland.

[@garykennedy1707]

I live right behind there and go up there to smoke all the time

[@garykennedy1707]

When you go on top of it, there is indeed an alarm sometimes

[@DJ-bq8ng]

I was thinking “I know that building…” and I did! Profound I know

[@timc7037]

Once again, I have questions Steve has answers, I always assumed it was part of property with Mini storage. TeMini storage building is the one I usually look at since it was clearly a factory, a very interesting convert.

[@itowedin]

I had the same curiosities and feelings about the Gasco building near the St Johns bridge and the abandon tannery on the bank of the Willamette near PSU campus.

[@msmoe8687]

I really enjoy what you do, I really enjoy seeing our area through your eyes.👍

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

Thanks 👍

[@SisterSherryDoingStuff]

I've always wondered about that place as well. I see a newer car 18:05 parked there - security?

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

Yeah it’s crazy, I swear I’ve never seen anyone there and as I was filming that vehicle pulled in and parked.

[@triciacherise8084]

I love your storytelling… ❤ new sub😎

[@lisad476]

I saw an urban explorer go in there years ago..Michael Anderson it was a giant storage area for like RVs and boats ect when he sneaked in...big big inside 2 levels

[@Madkalibyr]

Great video !

[@jordanriver6346]

Core memories unlocked

[@OhItsThat]

Back in the early 90s I used to sneak on that property to smoke weed and practice graffiti with my dudes. One time we saw an opening so we went in. I remember a few emergency lights being on and the floors feeling like a springboard. We made it pretty deep into the building walking slowly and carefully out of fear of falling through the floor. All we saw was tons of yarn. Huge boxes on pallets full of yarn. Eventually we made it to the loading dock area and noticed a ADT alarm panel blinking red. We ran like mad for the sketchy exit we came in through. Zero Fs given about falling through the floor at that point. By the time we got out the police were already coming down the driveway from the street above. We made a dash for the train tracks below. Followed the tracks to 28th and went through the tunnel. Walked up to Sandy Blvd and hit Wendy’s for some chili. After talking to my Uncle who ran around Sullivan's Gulch as a kid in the 50s. He said that area had a lot of textile and garment factories.

[@Mr.LT1]

ive explored the outside of that building in my young days, good times.

[@sinope_]

I always wondered about this place!

[@patrickstclair3253]

This building may have been part of the Doernbecher furniture company.

[@Threetails]

Always wondered about that place. I usually see it from the Max.

[@EnlistedBombin]

Dang WESH tag on the wall at 3:25 hes a seattle guy they are all over here.

[@RockyDylanBebb]

I thought you were going to say the recycling center building off 205 right after the i84 exit going north, maybe the Lombard exit? The roof looks like an upside down claw machine and it terrified me looking at it as a kid 🤣 thing is still there to this day

[@brewer8four]

Ok so I thought this was where the foot clan hung out from ninja turtles I tell my kids this today.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Used to live in that neighborhood and it wasn't also that way. It got that way when Portland went insane left

[@summerfire4775]

I found the dumb comment blaming the democrats 🤣 (Eff both republicans and dems)

[@hdoglesby]

My (now ex) wife and I lived in a duplex on Pacific Street around 2002/2003. Just a few hundred feet from the old Pepsi plant. The back yard had a 6ft cinder block wall that I could climb on top of and make my way to the second story, east facing windows of the Tom Black's Garage building. It had the wooden frame windows with the leaded glass. Anyway, I looked inside this room on the second floor and there were a few dozen motorcycles in there. I wanted to go inside but I also wanted to be respectful. We ended up buying a house in Rose City Park and I never got a chance to do any more exploring in that neighborhood.

[@gerardo8av]

You should go to the main entrance and request permission to visit it

[@mikeinportland30]

I'm guessing many of the old structures being torn down are because the seismic retrofitting that would be required for many uses would cost more than new construction - like that great old fire station torn down not long ago where the Green Line exits the bridge into Oldtown in the turn. I wonder if this place has a "U" sign at the unseen front?

[@mankoslic3]

what is the purpose of the 'U' sign?

[@mikeinportland30]

@@mankoslic3"Unsafe" to enter per the city.

[@mankoslic3]

@@mikeinportland30 thanks!

[@BB-rt9nc]

0:27 Oregon theater

[@allialias]

And than Lady sniffed a flower. And than we walked to the corner. And than we turned right. And rhan...

[@intellectually_lazy]

timber plant? i thought we call those trees

[@victoriaspears2795]

Is it bodies or yarn? The world will never know.

[@ababababaababbba]

1500 Market St is the san francisco version

[@ababababaababbba]

also Pasquale’s Tower

[@SlightlySalty584]

It’s interesting but you really should do more research because it be very simple to find out what was in that building it was a lumberyard straightforward lumber you could’ve found that out by doing simple reading also you can get closer to it I appreciate you don’t want to trespass but apparently it’s been trespassed a lotmore research before video you could’ve had the answer to what it was before you even started

[@We1ntersoxfan]

God what a lame comment

[@Firecracker66]

Enjoyable video