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1900s Portland: Fascinating Historical Photos Show What Portland Looked Like At The Turn Of The 20th Century

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Portland is the largest and most populous city in Oregon state. The name of the city was chosen in 1845 by a coin toss. The city merged with Albina and East Portland in 1891. At the turn of the 20th century, Portland was the host city of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, a world’s fair. This event increased the recognition of Portland, and the population was multiplied in a few years. In 1915, the city merged with Linnton and St. Johns.

Here below are some stunning historical photos that show what Portland looked like at the turn of the 20th century.

#1 Children (near political signs) in front of the Portland and OK coffee houses, circa 1900

Children (near political signs) in front of the Portland and OK coffee houses, circa 1900

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#5 Children walking in Portland’s historic Chinatown, ca. 1900s

Children walking in Portland’s historic Chinatown, ca. 1900s

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#10 Parade for Theodore Roosevelt on SW 3rd Avenue, 1905.

Parade for Theodore Roosevelt on SW 3rd Avenue, 1905.

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#13 A group of men on the steps outside of Grohs Saloon, located on SW Macadam near the 7300 block, 1903.

A group of men on the steps outside of Grohs Saloon, located on SW Macadam near the 7300 block, 1903.

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#15 Baker Stock Company in the late 1900s

Baker Stock Company in the late 1900s

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#16 Portland railway light & power streetcar special car, 1908

Portland railway light & power streetcar special car, 1908

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#20 The Oregonian Building at S.W. 6th and Alder, 1904

The Oregonian Building at S.W. 6th and Alder, 1904

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#21 The first barber shop in Sellwood, located at SE Umatilla Street between SE 13th Avenue and SE 11th Avenue, circa 1900.

The first barber shop in Sellwood, located at SE Umatilla Street between SE 13th Avenue and SE 11th Avenue, circa 1900.

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#22 The Brubaker, Normandin, and Co. Mt. Tabor Store and the Mt. Tabor Market on the corner of SE Stark Street (Base Line Road) and SE 60th Avenue, circa 1900.

The Brubaker, Normandin, and Co. Mt. Tabor Store and the Mt. Tabor Market on the corner of SE Stark Street (Base Line Road) and SE 60th Avenue, circa 1900.

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#25 Lewis & Flanders Block, Ankeny Block, 1900.

Lewis & Flanders Block, Ankeny Block, 1900.

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#26 Kamm Block on the north side of SW Pine St. between Front and 1st Avenue, 1900

Kamm Block on the north side of SW Pine St. between Front and 1st Avenue, 1900

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#30 Portland Traction Company, 1902.

Portland Traction Company, 1902.

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#33 A troop of the United States Cavalry posing by a giant fallen tree, circa 1904.

A troop of the United States Cavalry posing by a giant fallen tree, circa 1904.

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#35 SW 3rd Avenue, 1904

SW 3rd Avenue, 1904

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#36 Family posing outside of a house on Alberta Street, 1904.

Family posing outside of a house on Alberta Street, 1904.

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#38 Ships in the Portland Harbor on the Willamette River, 1905.

Ships in the Portland Harbor on the Willamette River, 1905.

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#40 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, 1905

Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, 1905

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#41 Fire Chief David Campbell and George Walker in the Chief’s buggy outside Station 1, 1905.

Fire Chief David Campbell and George Walker in the Chief’s buggy outside Station 1, 1905.

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#42 Two women sitting in the upper balcony of the Forestry Building, 1905

Two women sitting in the upper balcony of the Forestry Building, 1905

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#45 Parade at SW 3rd & Alder, 1905

Parade at SW 3rd & Alder, 1905

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#48 Men and horses in front of the Steel Bridge Fuel Company, circa 1907.

Men and horses in front of the Steel Bridge Fuel Company, circa 1907.

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#50 Up to Date Dye Works, 1907

Up to Date Dye Works, 1907

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#52 Horse and cart decorated for the Rose Festival on SW 12th Avenue near SW Morrison Street, 1909.

Horse and cart decorated for the Rose Festival on SW 12th Avenue near SW Morrison Street, 1909.

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#53 Two nurses and a driver pose with a Red Cross Service Ambulance, 1910.

Two nurses and a driver pose with a Red Cross Service Ambulance, 1910.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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