Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Portland (Oregon)

PORTLAND, a city, port of entry, and county-seat of Multnomah co., Ore.; on the Willamette river, and on the Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Great Northern, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Canadian Pacific, and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroads; 12 miles above the Columbia river, 120 miles from the ocean, and 772 miles N. of San Francisco, Cal. The city is built on sloping ground; is surrounded by beautiful scenery; and has a most enjoyable climate, being much warmer in winter than many Southern cities.

Business Interests.—The Willamette river is navigable for large vessels, and a considerable trade is carried on with Great Britain, Japan, China, Hawaii, and the South American republics. The value of exports in 1920, which include wheat, flour, wool, fish, timber, etc., was $48,812,821, and the imports $7,042,702. There are more than 800 manufacturing establishments, with an output valued at more than $50,000,000 per annum. The principal manufactures are pig iron, woolen goods, flour, furniture, cordage, carriages, clothing, boots and shoes, engine boilers, etc. There are about 20 National, State, and private banks, and many daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals. The assessed property valuations exceed $226,000,000 and the total bonded debt is over $12,000,000.

Public Interests.— The city has an area of 66.3 square miles; 1,350 miles of streets; a system of waterworks, owned by the city that cost nearly $12,700,000, with 755 miles of mains. The streets are lighted by electricity at a cost of about $200,000 per annum. The police department costs annually about $382,000, and the fire department about $562,000. There is a public school en- rollment of over 40,000 pupils, and an annual expenditure for public education of over $2,000,000. The annual cost of maintaining the city government is over $2,800,000. Portland contains the Medical and Law Schools of the State University, Portland University, Portland Academy, Library Association, Good Samaritan, St. Vincent, and Portland Hospitals, etc.

History.—Portland was settled in 1845 and received its city charter in 1851. It annexed the cities of East Portland and Albina in 1891. The city has had a marvelous growth and in proportion to its population has been said to be the wealthiest city in the United States. Pop. (1910) 207,214; (1920) 258,288.