Portland’s Slabtown
Portland’s Slabtown by Mike Ryerson, published by Arcadia Publishing in 2013, offers a detailed exploration of the historical development of the Slabtown neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. This 127-page book delves into the area’s transformation from dense forests inhabited by Native Americans and Chinese immigrants to a bustling community shaped by the lumber industry and streetcar lines. The narrative highlights significant events, such as the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, and the evolution of Slabtown into a vibrant residential area filled with shops and restaurants.
Readers will find a rich account of Slabtown’s history, emphasizing its industrial roots and the diverse community that has flourished over the years. The book covers various aspects of local life, including the impact of manufacturing and shipbuilding, as well as notable figures associated with the neighborhood. With a focus on regional history and photography, this edition serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the Pacific Northwest and the historical themes surrounding urban development and community identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
In Portland’s first decades, the northwest side remained dense forests. Native Americans camped and Chinese immigrants farmed around Guild’s Lake. In the 1870s, Slabtown acquired its unusual name when a lumber mill opened on Northrup Street. The mill’s discarded log edges were a cheap source of heating and cooking fuel. This slabwood was stacked in front of working-class homes of employees of a pottery, the docks, icehouses, slaughterhouses, and lumber mills. Development concentrated along streetcar lines. The early 20th century brought the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, manufacturing, shipbuilding, Montgomery Ward, and the Vaughn Street Ballpark. Today, Slabtown is a densely populated residential neighborhood, with many small shops and restaurants and an industrial area on its northern border. Tourists still arrive by streetcar to the charming Thurman, NW Twenty-first, and Twenty-third Avenues. Famous residents include author Ursula Le Guin, baseball greats Johnny Pesky and Mickey Lolich, NBA player Swede Halbrook, and Portland mayors Bud Clark and Vera Katz.
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