Vanishing Portland

Portland was an international port and a powerhouse of the timber and shipbuilding industries, and emerged as Oregon’s largest city at the end of World War II. Over the decades that followed, the city experienced significant growth and transformation, adding new industries and a growing population. However, it also faced numerous challenges, including reductions in shipbuilding capacity, a devastating flood, a declining timber industry, urban renewal, freeway construction, and social change. By the 1990s, Portland was engulfed in a wave of globalization and big-box retail marketing that surged shipping at its port. This influx of commerce unexpectedly led to the decline of many beloved Portland businesses, which continue to hold a special place in the hearts of the city’s residents. 

This book documents the changes that emerged at the turn of the century. It will appeal to fans of the city and those who reminisce the dream of the 90s alive in Portland.