This historic part of Portland was formerly its own city. When East Portland, Albina (to the north) and Portland became one in 1891, they formed the third largest city in the West, behind only San Francisco and Denver. On the east side, tall old buildings tower above now-abandoned street-car tracks. The area's founder, James Stephens, ran the first ferry service across the Willamette River. Back then, before Portland earned its nickname "City of Bridges", people didn't really appreciate the idea of a city being divided by a river.
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ODS Tower
The Sauvie Island Bridge originally opened in 1950, and spans the expanse of the Multnomah Channel of the Wilamette River. A towering steel arch dominates the center of the bridge, and extends both above and below the deck. Connecting the significant urban and industrial areas of Portland to the agricultural island that lies north to the city, the bridge is a convenient pathway for crossing the river and replaced an erstwhile ferry that used to traverse this island. The new remodeled bridge that is visible to residents and tourists today opened in 2008.
A Norwegian immigrant who turned out to be one of Portland's most noted philanthropists, Simon Benson had a lot to contribute to the city, and it is only fitting that he is such an important part of the local culture today. Benson Polytechnic High School was established due to his generosity, and the city even owes its famous drinking fountains, the Benson Bubblers, to this man. The Queen Anne he had constructed in 1900 was put to many different uses after the family shifted residence in 1913, and eventually even found a place on the National Historic Register in 1983. However, when the years took a toll on the house, the Friends of Simon Benson House took it upon themselves to restore it, a task they have excelled at. The house was relocated to its present space in the South Park Blocks at Portland State University in 2000, serving as the visitor center and alumni association.
Finished in 1926, this double-leaf, drawspan bridge replaced another bridge that was originally built in 1894. The grand piers sit on timber pilings and are topped with turrets for the bridge operator to see up and down the river. Since the Willamette River is the West-East boundary and the Burnside the North-South divider, the 2,308 feet (703.478 meters) span marks the center of the city. On the West bank is Waterfront Park, where you will find many of Portland's festivals.
