Portland City Guide: Hidden Gems, Dark History & Local Secrets

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Longform stories and essays exploring Portland's history and culture

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The Dream of the Nineties

How a coin toss, 200 feet of rain, and a generation of California refugees built America's most self-conscious city

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Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

She horsewhipped a school superintendent, performed illegal abortions for the poor, stabbed a cop with a hatpin, and went to prison for opposing World War I. Portland has mostly forgotten her.

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Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

A journalist planted flowers in a pothole to annoy his leprechaun. Now it's an official city park, 452 square inches, with its own swimming pool for butterflies.

Read

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

In 1948, Oregon's second-largest city was destroyed by a flood. Officials had promised residents they were safe. The city was never rebuilt. The demographics of Portland changed forever.

Read

The Dream of the Nineties

How a coin toss, 200 feet of rain, and a generation of California refugees built America's most self-conscious city

Read

Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

She horsewhipped a school superintendent, performed illegal abortions for the poor, stabbed a cop with a hatpin, and went to prison for opposing World War I. Portland has mostly forgotten her.

Read

Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

A journalist planted flowers in a pothole to annoy his leprechaun. Now it's an official city park, 452 square inches, with its own swimming pool for butterflies.

Read

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

In 1948, Oregon's second-largest city was destroyed by a flood. Officials had promised residents they were safe. The city was never rebuilt. The demographics of Portland changed forever.

Read

The Dream of the Nineties

How a coin toss, 200 feet of rain, and a generation of California refugees built America's most self-conscious city

Read

Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

She horsewhipped a school superintendent, performed illegal abortions for the poor, stabbed a cop with a hatpin, and went to prison for opposing World War I. Portland has mostly forgotten her.

Read

Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

A journalist planted flowers in a pothole to annoy his leprechaun. Now it's an official city park, 452 square inches, with its own swimming pool for butterflies.

Read

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

In 1948, Oregon's second-largest city was destroyed by a flood. Officials had promised residents they were safe. The city was never rebuilt. The demographics of Portland changed forever.

Read

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Curated collections of curiosities, dark history, hidden gems, and more

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Portland's Dark History

Missing children, shanghaiing tunnels, and the blood beneath the flannel

Curious Portland

Articles

The Dream of the Nineties

Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

The Dream of the Nineties

Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

The Dream of the Nineties

Dr. Marie Equi: Portland's Lesbian Anarchist Doctor

Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park

The Vanport Flood: A City Erased in 35 Minutes

Discover

Portland's Dark History

Curiosities

Hidden Gems

Lost Portland

Portland's Dark History

Curiosities

Hidden Gems

Lost Portland

Portland's Dark History

Curiosities

Hidden Gems

Lost Portland

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Curious Portland

Articles

The Dream of the Nineties