Post image for Spring – Becoming a City

Spring – Becoming a City

 

Becoming a City Pre-Tour Movie:

Becoming a City Post-Tour Movie:

Click here to download a PowerPoint file named:
“Becoming_a_City_Pre-Tour_Slideshow-1.pptx” [28.5 MB].

Click here to download a PowerPoint file named:
“Becoming_a_City_Pre-Tour_Slideshow-2.ppt” [37.2 MB].


  • The U.S. National Bank, between 6th Avenue and Broadway on Stark Street, was built in two stages in 1917 and 1925. Dominating the exterior, giant columns and pillars rise four stories high to support a richly decorated frieze and cornice with terra cotta eagles, lions’ heads, cupids and cornucopias.

    The bronze doors to the main entrance on Broadway depict progress in transportation since the Lewis and Clark expedition. On the 6th Ave. side, the doors illustrate scenes of public improvements in the sciences, labor and understanding. The lobby ceiling is made of hand-painted terra cotta and is 30 feet high. The original marble floors and iron light fixtures have been preserved. Very few additions and improvements have been made over the years.


  • The Pioneer Courthouse is the oldest United States courthouse west of the Mississippi River and is the home of the Ninth District Court of Appeals. It was designed by architect Alfred Bult Mullett in 1868. At the time of its dedication in 1875 commemorative photos of the city were taken from its lofty cupola.
  • The U.S. Bancorp Tower is known as “Big Pink” because of its pink granite facade and windows that reflect the sun at different times of the day. Presently the second tallest building in Portland, Big Pink Stands 42 stories high.
     
  • The Central Library was designed in 1913 by A.E. Doyle, an outstanding Portland architect. In contrast to many public buildings of the time, the architect made a point of creating this building from the inside out, in recognition of its primary function as a library.

    The classic brick and limestone building, surrounded by stone benches carved with authors’ names, has been recently renovated to restore its original beauty and function. Art is used to emphasize the “Garden of Knowledge” theme.