Bridges of Portland

Portland, an inland port city, rose to prominence in the mid-19th century as a significant shipping hub for the Pacific Northwest’s wheat, lumber, and other commodities. While ferry service on the Willamette River was established by 1853, Portlanders had to wait until 1887 for the construction of a bridge. The first bridge to be built was the Morrison Bridge, followed by the Steel Bridge in 1888, the Madison Bridge in 1891, and the Burnside Bridge in 1894. These bridges played a pivotal role in Portland’s growth, transforming it from a city with 17,600 residents in 1880 to a metropolis with a population of 90,000 by 1900. As Portland continued to expand throughout the 20th century, numerous more bridges were added to its infrastructure. This book shares stories and photos of these bridges, an interesting way to explore PDX’s history.