Portland’s Original Creative District
A Vision for a Vibrant and Creative Community from an Industrial Past
It began with trade: the Pearl District was the city's hub for the west coast rail network and ports from which Portland draws its name. Primed by industry, the district developed into the Northwest Industrial Triangle, made up of rail and warehouses. Half a century later, the industrial backdrop gave way to art and creativity. Artists turned warehouses into studios, galleries, and businesses supporting the creative culture, and in 1986, 13th Avenue from Davis to Johnson Street officially received a historic designation from the city.
The 13th Avenue Historic District is a former warehousing district, located along the NW 13th Avenue railroad spur line, in an area referred to as the Northwest Triangle. Originally residential in character, the area developed as a warehousing and distribution center as a result of Portland's emergence as a world seaport, railroad development, and the explosive growth of the city after the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition.
Today, 13th Avenue continues to be a vibrant street of historic and modern buildings, drawing visitors, residents, and businesses to the dynamic energy of the Pearl District. Image: 1987, Steve Cridland
The Pearl District Portfolio: A Part of Portland’s History
The Maddox Building, c. early 1900’s
The red-brick Maddox Building sits on a quarter block in the heart of the Pearl District. The four-story building was constructed in 1906 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Maddox building's initial use was to serve the railroad, but as the railroad faded into history, the building transitioned to trade, as did many of the warehouses lining 13th Avenue. Maddox Transfer & Storage Inc. utilized the building for storage and services, and the name and logo of the Maddox Company remain painted on the building today. Pearl District Portfolio: The Maddox
The Pearl District: A History in Images
Thank you to Vintage Portland, Portland Archives, the Oregon Historical Society, and other amazing resources for the important work they do to keep Portland’s history within reach and available to share with our community.
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Street Art and History Merge in the Pearl District
What’s a River Pig? Connecting Past and Present in the Pearl District
Rafters and Ribbons: A New Home for Blu Dot in Portland by Brian Libby - Metropolis Magazine
Al Solheim - 1984 Downtowner Newspaper: The Northwest Triangle by Steve Hastings
Now Downtown Self Storage-Davis Street, the Wadhams & Kerr Building still stands on the northwest corner of NW 13th and Davis, along the Pearl’s 13th Avenue Historic District. Wadhams & Kerr was in the wholesale grocery business in 1917.
Pearl District 1987- Photo: Steve Cridland
Broadway Bridge 1938 The Lovejoy Street ramp looking east with views of the Broadway Bridge, Steel Bridge, and Union Station. Image: Vintage Portland
Portland (circa 1926 )
This circa 1925 photo shows NW 10th Avenue at Irving street looking north. - Vintage Portland
1930 - NW 13th Avenue at Lovejoy looking south. Industrial Northwest Portland was in the business of freight, storage, and other heavy industry- Vintage Portland
1964 - Lovejoy St Viaduct: 10th Ave ramp looking southeast as bridge crews repair the expansion joints and handrails. Image: Portland Archives: AP/864
1928- Northwest 14th & Lovejoy
North Bank Station passenger depot. NW 11th and Hoyt in the Pearl District. Image: 1917. Vintage Portland (Portland Archives)
Pacific Coast Biscuit Co., 1917 . View is northeast on the corner of NW 12th and Davis; it’s now a parking garage. Portland Vintage
1039 Building
The NW Lovejoy ramp once met the west end of the Broadway Bridge and then came down to grade level at NW 14th Avenue. The ramp, here looking east, and most of what we see in this 1939 photo, is gone, replaced by Pearl District development. City of Portland Archives/Vintage Portland
1964 Broadway Bridge looking west. Image:Portland Archives/Courtesy of Vintage Portland
1891 Map
Park Blocks 1900
This circa 1925 photo shows NW 10th Avenue at Irving street looking north. The large structure on the far right is the back of what we know today as the Ecotrust building. And amazingly enough, a portion of the wall on the left, including door openings and steel shutters, still stands at the corner with Johnson Street. - Vintage Portland Archives
Remarkably unchanged in 75 years, this view is south on NW 9th from Johnson Street. What’s known today as the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, the building on the right was called Central Truck Terminal in 1936.
The Pearl District
The Pearl is one of Portland's most desirable urban neighborhoods for both livability and business. Many of the historic buildings continue to thrive as residential or office space -- home to internationally renowned agencies like W+K, outdoor retailers including Powell’s Books, REI, and Keen, creative and software companies, as well as local services, shops, and markets.
Locals and visitors enjoy the neighborhood's walkability, with tree-lined streets and parks, a variety of boutiques, shops, and restaurants, unique art galleries, and easy access to Portland’s Streetcar, Max, Trimet, and freeway.