Rivers, Roses, and Rip City: The Remarkable History of Portland (2024)

In 1852, Daniel Lownsdale and Nancy Lownsdale gave the city 24 blocks of land that became the tree-lined North and South Park Blocks in downtown Portland. Today the blocks are a favorite greenspace that hosts sculptures, farmers’ markets, and play areas. This aerial photograph shows the Park Blocks in 1878.

OHS Research Library, OrHi 23454.

This hand-drawn Portland Donation Land Claim map from 1852 shows the Willamette River bisecting the city’s east and west sides. The names of claimants are written on each plat.

OHS Research Library, G4294 P6G46 1852 W659.

Walter Cole (1930–2023) was a drag queen, entertainer, and cabaret owner. He began performing as Darcelle XV in 1969 and did so until his death — Guinness World Records declared Darcelle the oldest drag queen performer in 2016. Darcelle wore this crown when she was inaugurated as the 15th Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court in 1972. The Darcelle XV Showplace in Northwest Portland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

OHS Museum, 2023-10.2.

Bill Schonely (1929–2023) is best known for serving as the voice of the Portland Trail Blazers and for giving Portland its iconic name of “Rip City.” He began his broadcasting career in the U.S. Armed Forces and was hired as the team’s sixth employee, calling games for almost 30 years. After retiring, he served as a Trail Blazers Ambassador, continuing his relationship with the fan community. This original offer letter, which is on view in the exhibition, was sent to Bill Schonely from Trail Blazers general manager Harry Glickman on August 11, 1970.

OHS Research Library, Coll 972.

The Jantzen Beach Amusem*nt Park, located along the Columbia River in North Portland, opened in 1928. The Jantzen swimwear label funded the park to promote swimming and, by extension, their business. The park lured guests with a carousel, a roller coaster, and swimming pools. It closed in 1970.

This vintage 1920s Jantzen one-piece swimsuit, on view in the exhibition, features the iconic “Red Diving Girl” logo on the while belt that crosses the midsection of the suit.

OHS Museum, 2006-53.15.

Dragon boating began when Portland’s sister city, Kaohsiung, donated six Taiwan-style boats to the city in 1989. Races are held during the Rose Festival, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. Local and international teams of paddlers participate in the annual races. This photograph shows Dragon Boat Races in 1989, with Portland’s Marquam Bridge in the background.

OHS Research Library, Org. lot 884, folder 2, OrHi 85212

In 1905, the Weinhard Brewery built a German restaurant called the Bismarck Cafe for the Lewis and Clark Exposition. The brewery introduced a dark draught lager called Kaiser Beer, made exclusively for the restaurant. It was a favorite of many Bismarck patrons and was awarded a Gold Medal by the event’s judges. This mug, which is on view in the exhibition, is believed to have been produced for the 1905 exposition as well.

OHS Museum, 2021-3.1.

Portland’s LGBTQ+ community held its first Gay Pride Fair in 1975 and its first parade in 1977. Now an annual event, the parade and fair are meant to educate and raise awareness around LGBTQ+ issues as well as celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and groups. This photograph is from Portland’s 1987 Gay Pride Parade.

OHS Research Library, Mss 2988-1, box 2, folder 14.

Surveyor’s compasses were tools used in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to measure angles and map land. Robert V. Short brought this surveyor’s compass, which is on view in the exhibition, from Pennsylvania in 1847 and helped create the first survey of Portland in 1850.

OHS Museum, 75A-D. Photograph by Robert Warren.