 1955 Aerial View of Eliot |
Houses, houses, houses! In 1955 houses dominated the landscape in Eliot. This view of Eliot from above was taken as part of a larger photo of the downtown area. The image shows the neighborhood before the massive changes that came in the 60′s and 70′s. Memorial Coliseum had not yet been built, I-5 had not yet tore through the neighborhood, the Emanual Hospital campus had not yet sprawled into the neighborhood and Fremont was just a street (not quite in the picture) and not also a bridge. Continue reading |
Tag Archives: Then and Now
Russell St Then and Now
 Russell Street - 1910s |
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 of the Davis Block, the former hotel next door and in the distance, the Smithson Block – now home to Widmere. |
 Russell Street - 2007 |
As can be seen in this 2007 photo, very few of the original buildings remain. Most have been replaced with parking or storage lots. In the distance the Kirby Street I-405 off-ramp cuts through the neighborhood. |
Egyptian Theater Then and Now
 Egyptian Theater - 1933 |
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 until 1962 then as a warehouse until 1989. |
 New Song Church - 2007 |
In the 1990′s the building became part of the New Song Community Church complex. Even though the original exotic architecture is gone, in this 2007 photo you can still make out the roof-line, the entrance, and the location of the windows previously above the awning. |
Union and Russell Then and Now
 Union (MLK) and Russell - 1930s |
As Albina grew Union Avenue became a prominent business district. Notice the Egyptian Theater to the left in this 1920′s picture. |
 MLK and Russell - 2007 |
The corner of MLK (formerly Union) and Russell is now part of the New Song Community Church. |
Martin Mayo Building Then and Now
 Martin Mayo Building Union and Sacramento - 1930s |
The Martin Mayo Building at 2401 NE Union (now MLK) was built in 1912. |
 Martin Mayo MLK and Sacramento - 1990s |
The building has seen many changes over the years. Notice the differences in the front entryway. |
 Martin Mayo MLK and Sacramento - 2007 |
This picture was taken 10/2007. |
Hill Block Then and Now
 Hill Block Building - 1910 |
The Hill Block Building was built by Charles H. Hill, Albina’s first mayor. Located at the corner of Russell and Williams it was at the center of the business district for Albina. |
 Hill Block Building - 1950s |
Though somewhat depressed the building thrived into the 1960′s. |
 Hill Block Building Site - 2007 |
In the late 1960’s, Emanuel Hospital planned to build a 19-acre health campus around the existing hospital. Clearing the land for this project removed the last remaining sections of Russell Street’s commercial area as well as further displacing many residents from the area. The health campus was never built. After the buildings were removed in 1969, funding ran out. The block has remained vacant ever since. |
