Page Index

• Milepost Zero
• Benson Bubblers
• Washington Street
• 4th Ave
• Burnside to Burnside Bridge
• Burnside Bridge
• Burnside Bridge to 12th & Sandy
• Hell's Intersection: 12th & Sandy & Burnside & ...

1924 Columbia River Highway Route Through Portland

..."Field Notes" compiled by F. N. Drinkhall, Oregon State Highway Department in 1924, documents the highway's path through Portland. The highway passed through Linnton into Portland along the west bank of the Willamette River, quite similar to its later configuration. However, to reach milepost 0.0, it came via N.W. Thurman and 16th Avenue to Burnside, then east via S.W. Washington to Broadway.

From milepost 0.0 (at Broadway and Washington) a traveler continued three blocks eastward to 4th Avenue, took 4th north to Burnside and turned east on Burnside to 39th Avenue, then turned south to Stark Street. According to Drinkhall's notes, Stark Street (Baseline Road) was the route to reach the Columbia River Highway.

1926 Columbia River Highway Route Through Portland

...in 1926, the Columbia River Highway became U.S. 30. ...the official route of the highway through Portland, west to east, became St. Helens Road to Wardway, thence via N.W. Vaughn to N.W. 19th. The highway followed 19th to Burnside, thence east on Burnside to S.W. Washington Street, which took the traveler to milepost 0.0 at S.W. Broadway.

From here, Highway 30 followed Washington to 4th, 4th to Burnside, thence east on Burnside. A change in the original route occurred at the intersection of Burnside and N.E. Sandy Boulevard. The highway followed Sandy Boulevard northeastward to what is now Parkrose, then continued east on Sandy Road to reach Troutdale. From Troutdale, the highway followed the east bank of the Sandy River to reach the Stark Street Bridge (the original start of the Columbia River Highway.)

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

PORTLAND, 192.7 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction]. (32 alt., 301,815 pop.).

Points of interest: Skidmore Fountain, Oregon Historical Society Museum, Art Museum, Portland Public Market, Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, and many others.

Portland is at junction with US 99, State 8, State 50, US 99W.

Links

East Portland Historical Overview & Historic Preservation Study

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/214638

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway