The History of Portland’s O'Bryant Square

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FIRST THINGS FIRST: So, after many years something's going awry with my mic set up. I've noticed a drastic increase in static sound and a periodic fluctuation in sound levels so I'm thinking the time has finally come to update some of my audio equipment. So sorry, there's a bit of static hiss here.
That said, I am gradually producing a series of videos now about specific spots around Portland with a sketchy history. I consider my "Burger King on Burnside" video the first one of these and for my second one I am delving into the bizarre history of O'Bryant Square, standing smack in the middle of downtown Portland. Closed since March 2018 the future of the park lingers in question, but it's very likely that the park will be demolished at some point (even if it's just ultimately replaced with another park).
Despite the fact that the property has sat fenced off for several years with minimal progress, the site has a very diverse history for just a small block in the city. There is a rich history, both dark and funny, to this park which opened back in 1973. In this video I will discuss the origins of the park, it's troubled connections to violent crime and drugs, some more comedic moments, and the square's final years leading up to its closure.

[@Benzo1818]

I worked in “Big Pink” for several years and “Paranoid Park” was a good spot to sit and eat lunch in the middle of the day. The park benches at the top of the square above the parking entrance was also a good spot to make out in between hitting the clubs and bars back in the day😊

[@timc7037]

I came to Portland in 2020, It was always fenced off, I recently walked by, after the demolition began. and wondered what the story of the place was. Thanks Steve for enlightening me again. Randomly, youtube threw a BK ad at me, lol.

[@danielzimmerman4625]

I hang out there at night sometimes omw home from work. Smoke a fatty. Talk to the ghosts. Feed the rats. I didn't know anything about this place until now. Thank you!

[@d.bcooper7819]

Great video. When I first went to the park I thought it look cool. It hang a small similarity to the fountain in Logan’s Run albeit not as much as 4 court fountain yet still it carried that strangely attractive melancholic vibe that most 70s brutalist architecture has. Later I was one of those doper kids in the 80s hanging around that park.

[@BeingMe23]

I have seen the old park off and on for about 32 years.

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

Wow I've watched this twice. So good. I remember hanging there in 2004 or so, even then it was getting sketchy, glad to see it still around kind of..it would be a great place for food carts. I'd love to see that fountain turned back on. I never have seen it on and I've lived in Portland 42 years. Again this was such a excellent video, great job Steve

[@Danlandia1]

Well done Steve and your haircut looks great. I think that park got its bad reputation in the early 80’s when the rowdy punk venue 13th Precinct moved in next door. Groups of people would party before and after the shows at the square. Hopefully Marriott will put pressure on the city to do something with the site since they are spending so much money on their new Ritz Carlton tower next door.

[@danschulte113]

We would drink and smoke weed there in the 80s before going to The Plaza. My Dad worked in the Morgan Building and we used that car elevator too.

[@BlankBrain]

They should repair the parking lot to make it safe. If height allows, install air exchange lighting, and hookups for food carts. Put in a covered stairway from the food cart area to the park. Put sun/rain shelters and tables in the park area for people to eat. It's probably too expensive to maintain the fountain. It shouldn't be demolished though. Someday it will be cherished again. Lock the whole thing up at night with security.

[@davidruhl9217]

Amazing video!! I used to walk past this park everyday on the way to work last summer and it always seemed a bit out of place or like it was hiding a strange history. Especially with the fence up it almost had a zoo like feeling. Really glad to know more about it and to appreciate the full narrative. Its incredible how many stories can be told from just one square block of land and Portland parks certainly have their fair share of stories.

[@tadpoleslamp]

The place you partially correctly referred to as a restroom, was, for a long time, afterwards, a place to keep dry while waiting for the bus 🚐. The boarded up section, for instance, covers the bench for 🚌 waiting, not (most immediately, anyway), a restroom. Figure you were unaware, and might dig knowing.

[@frisco21]

Once upon a time this little park was a charming place. Nowadays, not so much.

[@rerun3283]

I used to work down there. That area got to be too dangerous to go into work so I found a new job. I'm so happy I don't have to deal with all those mutants anymore.

[@exodus8292]

Nice work sir. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@BeingMe23]

His craft continues to improve every year. 👏 💯 He has a great voiceover. He needs to do audio books and Podcasts too!

[@rileychapman642]

Love all your pieces on Burnside...was arrested on Park and 9th once.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

What for being a nonce ?

[@terenceflanagan1225]

You're soooo edgy. You looking like a 15 year old

[@BeingMe23]

I love the Soundtrack...

[@michelleb7399]

You went to Putnam? I didn’t go there, but I did go to the old North Oak Grove Elementary school, which is gone. I was a manager at the Oak Grove Burger King in the 90’s.

[@StevetheAmateurHistorian]

Oh wow, yeah that Burger King was my fast food place of choice by the mid-90s. I still remember my parents going out of town when I was like 12 and riding my bike home from school I went there on my way home. First time I ordered food there on my own… The day I became a man. Haha

[@michelleb7399]

@@StevetheAmateurHistorian yep, that’s when I was the manager there. :) Crazy true story: a crazy criminal out of like Minnesota or something was calling random Burger Kings around the country at that time and impersonating an officer, saying they had someone there who says the cashier stole their money. This person was able to get different BK managers (usually female) to get their cashier into their office and get to various levels of disrobing to “find” the “missing” money. One slow evening on like a Tuesday this guy calls my BK and says he’s from the “Oak Grove Police Department.” Which, as you know, doesn’t exist. But I let that go for the moment as he went on his thing about the “female cashier with dark hair” who stole $20. However, I was the only female in the entire restaurant that night and ensured him that this cannot be true as all my cashiers were male. He tried for a bit but then stammered and we ended the call. I only realized what kind of f’ed up scam this was about a year later when it was on like “Dateline” or something… showing video cam from one or two BK’s where this guy actually got these managers to make the cashiers take off their clothes! I would not have let this happen, as I had been a victim of a sensitive crime about two years before that, but DANG!!! What a crazy thing! Anyway… a good story is I was working the night the Olympic torch came down McLoughlin Blvd. One of our cooks brought his video camera. We had no customers, so we all went out and watched the runner with the torch. Good time. :)

[@lisad476]

I remember the park. Thanks for this

[@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER]

Such a great video..hey Lisa

[@lisad476]

@@KLEARSKITHEKREEPER hey Chris..hope your day goes well

[@willattwood8303]

You forgot rat Park and tweaker Park I am a long time Portland resident

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

It was called "Paranoia Park" because there's a police precinct directly across the street. Great doc btw

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Its called that because junkies hung out there

[@Benzo1818]

“PDX Alerts” gave me a new respect for cops. The amount of crazy BS they have to deal with is 🤯

[@dorkvania7212]

Great video! You might need to do an update in the near future. I hope that tying the park to Darcelle's legacy works out, because if this plan fails or stalls out that would be a giant mess.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Ewww

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Its kinda Got a history as a drug park

[@MrJeep75]

Portland should clean it up revitalize it

[@terenceflanagan1225]

🤣🤣🤣🤣😂. Take another pill bro

[@miapdx503]

Portland is just fine. People have always talked trash about our city, and we're just fine. Thanks for visiting 🌹

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Its a drug spot for homeless people. Lovely Portland

[@miapdx503]

I was on my own at 15, grew up on Portland's streets. Everywhere you talk about, I sougjt shelter...the parks, the old BK....I have stories for days. 🌹