DID YOU GROW UP IN MAPLEWOOD? DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES OR PHOTOS OF THE AREA? WE WELCOME ALL ADDITIONS TO THIS PAGE. THANK YOU! "Forward" from Maplewood Centennial, 1875 - 1975 Mrs. Laurel Fechner, President of the Maplewood PTA for the 1974-75 year, asked me to collect whatever information might be available about the community's early history. She wanted this for the children of all eight grades so they could use it as a reference in their studies about pioneer times in Maplewood in Preparation for their Centennial celebration in the spring of 1975. The result of delving into the history of an area such as Maplewood is a deeper appreciation for those who came to settle with the determination to improve their lives and the lives of those who shared their dream of a better place to live, work and raise their families. There are, undoubtedly, other old-timers, besides those mentioned here, who could add to the memories and pictures of early Maplewood. This has been left for the children of Maplewood to pursue further. Thank you for asking me to compile a part of the history of the early community. Marjorie E. Hoffman September, 1976 Maplewood History Tour: June 12, 2011 Thanks to all neighbors who joined Tour Guide Karen on Sunday, June 12 for a 2-hour walk back in time on the streets of Maplewood. We explored everything from old barn sites to lava flows to modern transit and pedestrian issues. And a special shout-out to volunteers Abigail Lambert and Maura Kanuri for helping with the Tour!! Maplewood History Tour participants gather to start the tour, led by Transportation Chair Karen Williams. The 6/12 Tour included a look at plans for the new PBOT (Portland Bureau of Transportation)-funded Greenway Project which will bring pedestrian improvements to SW Maplewood Road and other pedestrian and bike routes in the area. Schools Chair Ronda Zakocs showed the proposed map to the group.   Missed the tour? Take it at your own pace with our self-guided tour!! The Maplewood History Tour Map and History Station Guide are available as "attachments" at the bottom of this page. Links to History Sites: Want to know more about the place where you live? Follow these links to some terrific sites for photos, stories, and facts about the area. Portland History -- http://www.pdxhistory.com/ Multnomah Historical Association -- http://www.multnomahhistorical.com/ Ancestor.com Multnomah County Site -- http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ormultno/index.htm Garden Home History Site -- http://gardenhomehistoryproject.weebly.com/index.html More Memories from Former Resident Kathleen Langridge
Marilyn Mackett writes about moving to Maplewood in the late 1940s Materials were so difficult to get that the heating system was put in two years later. My father had been working in the ship repair industry. Ships were mostly of wood, and he was a carpenter. We lived in Vanport. My brother, Edwin Jr., and sister Eileen and I loved the Maplewood area, and attended the small two story Maplewood school. Mrs. Elinor Hammond was my 5th grade teacher, and Leslie Buell taught the 7th and 8th grades. I was in the class of 1950, and played a piano piece for the small graduation ceremony. We all had two classes to a room, there were 8 of us in my graduating class. Bonny Bean, Joy Steele and I were the three girls. I was pleased to see Bonny still resides in Portland. My father and mother also built the small home at 7507 52nd street across from the grade school, where my grandmother lived for several years. Dad continued to build homes in the SW area of Portland. I attended Tigard High School. I attended Oregon State and became a school teacher, and then worked for several aerospace companies in San Diego, CA. I recently attended the Tigard High School reunion at Cook Park and our Jahnke family reunion. What wonderful memories I have of my childhood in Maplewood. It was fun to drive around the neighborhood. My husband of 52 years and I retired to Las Vegas, and have enjoyed the desert living and traveling overseas. I am on the Red Rock Audubon Society Board and a member of the local Germans from Russia genealogical society. Marilyn Jahnke Mackett This "Ice Breaker" from our December 2010 Dessert Potluck offers fun historic facts. . “Ten Fun Facts About Maplewood Area” Quiz
1. Alpenrose Dairy is locally famous for what fact? A. Used as Al Capone’s West Coast headquarters in 1929. B. Supplies ice cream to Baskin-Robbins. C. Creator of Healthy-Sweet veggie-flavored dairy-free desserts
2. Maplewood was first developed as A. a lumber town B. A popcorn factory C. Dairy and agricultural land
3. Find someone who lives near April Hill Park! Write their name here ____________________________________________________
4. April Hill Park was once the site of what historic building? A. The Niebur family cabin, part of a 320-acre homestead that covered much of Maplewood B. The original Old Spaghetti Factory C. The Multnomah County Courthouse
5. Find a neighbor who lives in a house built over 50 years ago. Write their name here ___________________________________
6. Who got the sign caps that say “Maplewood” placed on all the street signs and got signs, a kiosk and outhouse placed at April Hill Park, and helped design and build the play structure and garden at Maplewood Elementary? A. President George W. Bush B. Mayor Vera Katz C. Your neighbors and Maplewood Neighborhood Association
7. The building at 5200 SW Custer at 52nd was originally the Maplewood Store and Post Office with the only working phone in the area. What equally important structure was a few blocks away at the corner of 50th and Custer? A. The original Maplewood Air Terminal that served all of SW Portland B. The Old Maple Leaf Saloon and Opera House C. A 256 foot well and the primary drinking water source in the area for many years
8. Find a neighbor who has lived in Maplewood for more than 10 years. Write their name here ________________________________
9. What railroad ran through Maplewood on a trestle and on to Garden Home from 1908 to 1945? A. The Northern Boise & Cascade Short Line B. The Polar Express C. The Oregon Electric Railway
10. Besides English, what language would have been commonly heard among Maplewood residents 100 years ago? A. Dutch B. German C. Portuguese
Answers to the Fun Quiz: 1-B; 2-C; 4-A; 6-C; 7-C; 9-C; 10-B; 3, 5 and 8 – you had to be there! |
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