A Day in Downtown Portland, Oregon

 After arriving in the Portland area, I found out that people across the country think the City is a dangerous place to visit.  Protests in Portland after George Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, occurred daily for 100 days, and coverage of confrontations at a Federal Building was constant.  

A quick internet search revealed that Portland has a history of activism and protests, dating to the 1850s.  This matches a conversation I had with a man at the Seattle Sculpture Park who told me that Portland "has the fire in its belly."

There are no protests here in October 2021. Eric and I spent the day wandering around downtown taking in the sights and eating some good food.

Driving into downtown Portland

Eric used the ParkWhiz App to reserve a parking spot in one of the City's small downtown parking lots.  

We walk past the Church of

 Scientology Portland.

Eric & I get coffee at Stumptown, 

one of the City's best rated 

coffee shops.

All Mothers Were Summoned

When He Called Out To

His Mama

I think this phrase is a response to the video recordings of George Floyd's final moments.

Eric with his VooDoo Doll

Doughnut & my Maple

Blazer Blunt at

Voodoo Doughnuts

Our choices are fun

& yummy!

A homeless person sleeps

in front of 2 B Well.

The Wax Building was

constructed in 1924.

Like many other cities across the US, Portland has homeless residents.  Local groups are working together on this complex issue.

I notice the fire escape on 

the side of this building.

Its corner entrance is 

behind an ornamental

pillar.

We Are Here As Immigrants

 Because Black Freedom Fighters

 In The Civil Rights Movement

 Fought For Us To Exist In

 This Land.

Portland's Chinatown &...

... Eric sitting in front of the entrance

of Lan Su Chinese Garden.

This beautiful building is

the US Customs House.

It was completed in 1891.

Eric hugs a tree in the Park

 across the street from the

Customs House.

Eric & I stop for a drink

at Scandals.

Powell's Books is the World's

Largest Independent Book

Store.

This one floor, nondescript

building was The Otis Elevator

Company's Headquarters.  

Constructed in 1920, it was 

listed on the National Register 

of Historic Places in 1988.

Life of Riley is a great

name for a bar.

It's time for lunch from one of

Portland's Food Cart Pods.

I love buildings with corner doors.

Some of Portland's streets

have dedicated Bike Lanes.

Men are working next to a

brightly colored mural.

Three Kings was built in 1925.

for the Bank of California.

Pioneer Courthouse was

completed in 1875.

Pioneer Courthouse

Square is nearby.

This statue is dedicated to the dead

of the Second Oregon Volunteer

Infantry who fought in the 

Spanish-American War.

Fences keep the public from

gathering here.

A large window has been

broken at the Mulnomah

County Justice Center.

People protested George Floyd's death here.

One of Portland's MAX

Light Rail Service Lines.

Pioneer Courthouse has been

renovated several times since

it was built in 1875.

Pioneer Courthouse Square is

adjacent to the Courthouse.

A shot of Eric with his

Americone Dream

Icecream Cone at

Ben & Jerry's

A walkway allows commuters

to safely cross from a Parking

Garage to a downtown

skyscraper.

Positively 4th Street

SW 4th Avenue

Eric at the doorway of The Dekum.

Frank Dekum used the procedes

of his candy business for this

1892 Office Building.

One of the many late 18th

century/19th century

buildings in Portland

 Eric and I talk about our day in downtown Portland as we walk back to our car.  We've just scratched the surface of the wide variety of foods the City offers.  Many of the older buildings have been repurposed for today's restaurants and businesses.  These older buildings tell Portland's history with charm and grace.