Then and Now - Portland Then and Now® (Then and Now)

Fascinating vintage photos of Portland have been matched with specially commissioned color photos to reveal the past and present of this progressive and rapidly expanding ‘Rose City’.

Portland Then and Now pairs historic photographs with specially commissioned views of the same scenes as they look today. The book traces the evolution of Portland from the early years of photography to the present, showing how it became Oregon’s largest and most vibrant city.

Set against the backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, Portland’s skyline is a mixture of ultra-modern skyscrapers and elaborate Victorian structures that reveal a rich architectural heritage. Originally no more than a cluster of log structures and wood-frame buildings carved out of the dense forest, “Stumptown” soon became the Pacific Northwest’s premier freshwater port, filled with supply ships bound for the gold fields of California, but also intent on becoming a cultural center. 

This fascinating book traces the evolution of this popular  tourist destination from a small town long dominated by cast-iron, terracotta and brick buildings to a city with ornate mansions, carefully designed neighborhoods, and a downtown that bespeaks pride in good city planning.  

Sites include: New Market Theater, Blagen Block, Royal Palm Hotel, Grand Stable & Carriage Building, Pioneer Courthouse, First National Bank, City Hall, Berg Building, Portland Art Museum, Masonic Temple, Paramount Theatre, Union Station, Pittock Mansion, Bagdad Theater, Hollywood Theatre, St. John’s Bridge, Swan Island