By Julie Woelfer Questions: Q1: What still in use structure on MLK had a bit part in a 1993 sleeper hit? What was the building? What was the movie? Bonus: What two word line (arguably one of the best in the movie) was uttered by an extra in that scene? Q2: What used to be [...]
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Eliot Neighborhood Trivia
Posted in Neighborhood on October 17, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Oral History Walking Tour
Posted in Neighborhood on July 17, 2011 | Comments Off
By Kayla Gill Allies of Eliot, a group of eight PSU community development students, has produced a historic walking tour of Eliot based on a series of interviews conducted by the Eliot Oral Histories Project and on community outreach conducted for the walking tour. The tour is self-guided and consists of an informational booklet with [...]
“Allies of Eliot” Continue The Oral History Project
Posted in Neighborhood on April 4, 2011 | Comments Off
By Owen Wise-Pierik The history of the Eliot Neighborhood has been something that has brought culture and identity to it’s residents for a long time. It is something of controversy, life, and community. However, the neighborhood is changing. In order to keep the legacy of Eliot alive, Laurie Simpson and Arlie Sommer have teamed up [...]
Robert E. Menefee: Profile of an Albina Businessman & Resident
Posted in People on July 20, 2010 | Comments Off
During the early years of rapid development in the town of Albina, which most of is now inside the Eliot neighborhood, many well-known businessmen were involved with the process. When Albina was incorporated in 1887, it saw phenomenal growth through 1892. Much money was spent and made on real estate investments and industrial expansions tied [...]
A Little Bit Of Norway in Eliot
Posted in Buildings on April 11, 2010 | Comments Off
The residents of Eliot are fortunate today to enjoy ethnic and cultural diversity. What is more unique about our neighborhood is that it was always diverse since the beginning, during the last quarter of the 19th Century. A healthy mix of immigrants from Europe settled here and built homes. In the northerly portion of the [...]
A Review of Jumptown
Posted in Neighborhood on January 11, 2010 | Comments Off
When most people think of jazz, Portland, Oregon, is not the first place that comes to mind. And yet, for a golden decade following World War II, the Eliot neighborhood, a thriving African American neighborhood that would soon be bulldozed for urban renewal, spawned a jazz heyday. Such luminaries as: Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Oscar [...]
The White Eagle Saloon
Posted in Buildings on January 8, 2010 | Comments Off
A Building Full of Colorful History & Stories Our neighborhood is so fortunate to have buildings that have survived for nearly a century or more. Every building has seen much use from many people over the years and has many stories to tell as well. The White Eagle Saloon & Café at 836 N Russell [...]
Historic Elks Lodge Grateful for Volunteers
Posted in Buildings on July 21, 2009 | Comments Off
In Eliot there’s little left to see of the neighborhood’s complicated past. Once the vibrant, if sometimes dilapidated, center of Portland’s Black community, today almost all the landmarks are gone. The drugstore that anchored the busy intersection of Williams and Russell was beheaded and razed, its beautiful dome transplanted to Dawson Park. The Prince Hall [...]
Two Ladies Named Collins
Posted in People on July 21, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Two white ladies, both remembered as “angels” in Portland’s Black community were, improbably, both named Collins—though unrelated.
An 1883 House on the Endangered List
Posted in Buildings on July 21, 2009 | Comments Off
The Eliot neighborhood may soon be losing a historic home at 216 NE Tillamook. A demolition permit was filed by the company who purchased it two years ago but the city required a 120-day demolition delay on the house due to the fact that it is inside a historic zone and the age of the [...]
Neighborhood History Book
Posted in Neighborhood on March 28, 2009 | Comments Off
If you have read many of the postings from the “History” category on eliotneighborhood.org or if you are a regular reader of the Eliot News newsletter you probably recall reading about a history book in the works. Author Roy E Roos, who has written many Eliot News articles over the years, finished the book last [...]
Eliot: A Brief Chronology
Posted in Neighborhood on September 16, 2008 | Comments Off
Compiled by Martha Gies with help from historic preservation activist Cathy Galbraith, Executive Director, Bosco Milligan Foundation.
Eliot Remembered – Jane Bachman
Posted in Neighborhood on September 16, 2008 | Comments Off
Jane Weber graduated from Grant in 1948, attended University of Oregon, where she earned a Bachelor’s in General Arts & Letters in 1952, then took a one-year post-graduate course in medical records at Duke. Returning to Portland, she worked in the records department at St. Vincent’s until she and Don Bachman, whom she had married [...]
Eliot Remembered – Emma Brown
Posted in Neighborhood on September 16, 2008 | Comments Off
Emma and Finn Brown came from Biloxi, Mississippi, to the Pacific Northwest by train, and settled in Vancouver, Washington, in 1949, where their only child, Annie Louise, was born at St. Joseph Hospital. Finn first got a job working at a cannery; later, when he was hired on at Rich Manufacturing in Portland, they moved [...]
The Rinehart Building
Posted in Buildings on May 13, 2008 | Comments Off
For nearly 7 years, Eliot residents have wondered what the future is for the building that housed the Cleo-Lilliann Club for many years. At the corner of N Williams & Monroe, it was a fixture for social gatherings in the neighborhood until closing in 2001. Since that time, it has sat vacant and been a [...]
Walling Building Bites the Dust
Posted in Buildings on February 4, 2008 | Comments Off
Eliot lost a historic building in October 2007, but to the relief of some residents as it had been an eyesore in recent years. The two story wood framed structure was at 2240-2248 NE MLK on the corner of NE Sacramento. Over the last 50 years, it suffered insensitive alterations and neglect. In its last [...]
Russell St Then and Now
Posted in Then and Now on November 5, 2007 | Comments Off
Lower Albina and the Factory District in the early 1900′s. There are at least 8 buildings in this picture that are no longer standing. In the picture, on the left side is the building that is home to Mint and 820 and further down , the White Eagle. To the right you can see part [...]
Egyptian Theater Then and Now
Posted in Then and Now on October 8, 2007 | Comments Off
This 1933 picture shows the entrance to the Egyptian Theater located on Union (MLK) near Brazee. The neighborhood theater was built in 1924 and owned and operated by the Graeper family. Originally it was home to live vaudeville style shows and later in the 30′s was showing motion pictures. The building operated as a theater [...]
Union and Russell Then and Now
Posted in Then and Now on October 8, 2007 | Comments Off
As Albina grew Union Avenue became a prominent business district. Notice the Egyptian Theater to the left in this 1920′s picture. The corner of MLK (formerly Union) and Russell is now part of the New Song Community Church.
Martin Mayo Building Then and Now
Posted in Then and Now on October 4, 2007 | Comments Off
The Martin Mayo Building at 2401 NE Union (now MLK) was built in 1912. The building has seen many changes over the years. Notice the differences in the front entryway. This picture was taken 10/2007.
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