A Reconnaissance Survey: Modern Historic Resources of East Portland, April 13, 2011

Historic Preservation Northwest

From introduction: "The objectives of this survey were three-fold. One was to complete a reconnaissance-level historic resources survey for selected groups of properties constructed between 1935-1965 in East Portland. Reconnaissance level surveys generally involve visual evaluations of properties including basic location information, descriptive features, plus an estimate of the age and architectural integrity of resources. They generally do not include assessments of historic events or individuals. The second objective was to prepare a survey report that provided the City of Portland with baseline historic resource data for future preservation planning and land use planning in the area. Objective number three was to increase the body of knowledge regarding mid-century resources in Portland. This survey project focused on the neighborhoods of East Portland, a broad area generally east of 82nd Avenue. East Portland occupies approximately 20 percent of the City of Portland. Most of this area was annexed to Portland in the 1980s and 1990s. Survey work concentrated on properties constructed between 1935-1965, a time period that coincided with the widespread development of East Portland. East Portland is a complex part of the city. Its history, landscapes, and built environment differ in important ways from Portland's urban core and inner-ring neighborhoods. Until the World War II era, this large area remained mostly unincorporated, had a rural character, and developed identities distinct from parts of Portland that were built-up in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the post- WWII years, development accelerated with new subdivisions, a profusion of “suburban-style” single-family housing, and automobile-accommodating development patterns. The history and built heritage of East Portland has not been as comprehensively documented or protected as in other parts of the City, and there has been relatively few historic preservation projects and activities to date. In March 2009, the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability completed the East Portland Historic Overview and Historic Preservation Study. This study provided a broad overview of the pattern of historic growth and development in East Portland area and a preliminary analysis of existing conditions, issues and action alternatives." Funding was provided in part by a 2010 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Portland (project number OR-10-15) administered by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 41-10-21944) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Portland, Oregon is a Certified Local Government.

A Reconnaissance Survey: Modern Historic Resources of East Portland, April 13, 2011

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